It is not HBO or Showtime that granted King an opportunity to televise four championship fights, part of 11 fights to be held Saturday November 5^th from the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood Florida. The feature bout will be WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones defending his title against 14^th ranked Mike Marrone.

King made an indirect reference to HBO and Showtime the two major broadcast networks of the sport. They would not give him an opportunity to showcase Jones or Joey Hernandez the United States Boxing Organization Junior middleweight champion. He made references to the past and how Wealth TV will provide an opportunity for people across the nation to see fights like they did on ABC, CBS and NBC, the major networks that televised free boxing when King was on top of the business.

Not to say that Don King is history. He is still visible but does not have the major fighters that promotions like Top Rank and Golden Boy have to offer for the networks. He wants to see boxing return to the glory days, the old school theory of putting boxing on free television. It means more for King now to see the sport thrive again.

“The downward spiral,” said King about the sport, as he held court with media before introducing Robert and Charles Herring, a father and son who launched their network in 2004. King was referring to the ineffective people running the sport and how fans have been turned off with the recent and bizarre outcomes of major fights seen on pay-per-view and the networks.

There were references by King regarding how he had to advocate and get a return bout for his fighter, bantamweight Joseph Agbeko, who will get the opportunity against Abner Mares on December 3^rd. And he cited how boxing has been embarrassed with the recent outcomes of the Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz and Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson title fights.

“Yesterday, today, tomorrow,” is what King said will be the theme of the telecast on a network available to over 100 cable systems across the country.  The promoter, who now does most of his business in the state of Florida, said the Wealth televised card is a celebration for the people. The President of Panama is expected to attend, as well as legendary boxing champions Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran.

“A celebration for Roberto Duran and celebrate the birthday of Larry Holmes,” he said. It was vintage Don King as he waved the flags of different countries, said, “Viva Puerto Rico,” referring to one of his greatest champions, Felix Trinidad, and he of course provided his views on the economy and opportunity. It was Don King smiling, playing to the cameras, and bringing back memories of the old days.

And this will be a venture for Wealth TV. They admit this is an opportunity to expand their base.  Boxing to the premier lifestyle and entertainment network may be a risk. They invested an undisclosed amount of money and days ago made the deal with King, but the 70-year old Herring, a boxing fan said, “It nicely fits into the programming vision of WealthTV.”

More televised boxing cards, by the network if successful could mean a revival for King. He said, “Return boxing back to the masses, to the fans and not pay-per-view.”

It is technology incorporated into the old school theory that Don King is attempting to do. And it was convincing enough to convince Herring that boxing needs something different, another shot for King and a new way to present boxing to fans. The availability of viewing the telecast on Verizon FIOS TV and AT&T U-verse will also enable boxing fans to see the telecast on their phones and I-Pads.

King has always been an innovator with the sport and this year reunited and co-promoted a card with a former adversary, fellow Hall of Famer Bob Arum of Top Rank. This is his latest deal that could work, and with the technology available by the network, to say the least, old school could work with the new school.

And as much as Don King has been criticized over the years, a boxing fan will always recall the heyday of King being the dominating promoter, his success with Ali, Frazier, Norton and the “Thriller in Manila.” He made references to that in a small room at the Phillippe restaurant in New York City.  “All the champions are now in foreign countries,” he said. “They have escaped the country. The networks did it. You want to see fair play. Let us have a coalition for truth,” making reference to how HBO and Showtime would not make a deal for Jones, a legitimate champion with a 37-3-2 record along with 29 KO’s.

So this could work, and King did offer a WBA championship fight to his new network. “Give the people an opportunity in the land of opportunity,” he said about Jones not getting his chance on the major networks ,and thanking Herring for the chance to put his promotion back on a network.

“Go back to pride, dignity, and glory,” he continued, advocating for a national boxing commission, if done properly. No, it won’t hurt to have Don King visible again. A little more of old school boxing and a new network can’t harm the sport.

email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“The thing with Margarito was 2008 the chapter that was closed in that book,” commented Cotto about the first fight in July 2008. That is a night that saw Cotto with a battered face, dethroned of the WBA welterweight title in the 11^th round. The result was talk about Cotto being done, that he no longer had it. Cotto would rebound later, and Margarito, after winning the title from Shane Mosely, would eventually see his boxing license suspended for using tainted hand wraps under his gloves.

So a lot transpired since their first encounter. Both fighters went to war with Manny Pacquiao and  Cotto, quietly had been seeking this rematch for revenge. He leaves business to the promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and in the last year made it known that Margarito is what he wanted, and at Madison Square Garden his favorite venue where he is undefeated in six fights.

Though Cotto does admit he did have flaws in that first fight and will make no excuses or accusations that Margarito had tainted hand wraps then. But for the first time he showed writers a picture on his cell phone that was given to him earlier this year. It indicated a tear in the wrapped hands of Margarito. There was evidence of a tear with the tape and gauze. Again this was pure speculation by Cotto and he will not make accusations. However, the facts later on make one to believe that Margarito had an unfair advantage, even if Cotto that night was not at his best.

Margarito remains silent about the hand wrap controversy except when he is asked. “I never used any illegal bandages. I can’t change the opinions of everyone. I always fought clean. He claims to have paid his dues and the subject is a thing of the past.  He is also promoted by Arum and never went against his Mexican fighter when it came to the hand wrap issue. A win this time would put everything in perspective. He takes care of business in New York and Antonio Margarito indeed has the number of Miguel Cotto. Though the early line favorite is Cotto gets a commanding win and vengeance for what happened a few years ago in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Arena.

“I accept my defeat like a man,” says Cotto about that uneventful evening in Las Vegas. “It’s the first time I show the pictures to anybody,” referring to the Margarito wraps. “I over trained and won’t make the same mistakes again. I will be watching the first fight again soon to see what I did wrong.” He did not have the veteran Emanuel Steward in his corner then and he will once again have him for the third time in his corner at the Garden.

Steward was able to correct some flaws when he worked with Cotto the first time in June of 2010 at Yankee Stadium, a Cotto 9^th round TKO and defense of the WBA title over Yuri Foreman.

“He is sharp and will be ready at 154,” said Steward when reached for comment because was preparing Andy Lee for his rematch with Brian Vera. “Nothing will go wrong. We will watch the wraps and the gloves. Miguel has picked it up and learned what went wrong the first time.”

And with vengeance obviously on his mind, though Cotto will never show a vindictive trait, Margarito could see the same approach that was used in March. Ricardo Mayorga, saw enough punishment before being stopped by TKO in the 12^th round in the WBA super world light middleweight title fight. Cotto was aggressive and finally put Mayorga on the mat in that final round. It was vintage Cotto, punching with authority, and throwing combinations that propelled him to be a three division world champion.

“I’m going to give it all my body and soul to make this a great match,” said Cotto, (36-2-28 KO’s) one of those in the loss column coming to Pacquiao. He reiterated, ”It’s going to be the same as last time but the ending will be different.” Meaning of course, the punishment this time will show on the face of Margarito who is fully recovered from an injured eye socket that occurred when he lost to Pacquiao last November.

Cotto insisted also that the fight be at 153.  Margarito says that is unfair and that Cotto should be at 154. “If he is a real champion he should fight at 154,” says Margaritio. And Cotto would later respond that the weight was not an issue. His win over Margarito will tell the story that the first loss was because Margarito was with the advantage, once again briefly making reference to the hand wrap controversy.

“Boxing is a sport when you use your skills,” said Cotto. “He played with my health and that’s not fair.”  The wraps for both fighters will be placed in a suitcase prior to the fight and inspected by the New York Commission at the weigh-in. So there could be an end to the issue about Antonio Margarito and hand wraps that have tarnished his career.

Arum stated the Garden has a record advance gate for the fight with an undercard that also includes the undefeated Mike Jones, another of the rising stars in the welterweight division and junior welterweight Pawel Wolak.  And Cotto always sells out the Garden with a strong contingent of Puerto Rican fans from New York City.

But this is not about Puerto Rico against Mexico. It is the fight that Cotto wanted and he anticipates the coming months of training, saying he is a much more matured fighter with his new team under the direction of Steward.

“We accepted 153 because we don’t want Antonio Margarito to make any excuses,” says Cotto. Indeed this looks like it could be another chapter though this time a different and better one for Miguel Cotto.

“I really don’t need that fight,” Pacquiao said about the often discussed bout with Mayweather. “If it happens good, It’s the fight the fans want. If not, I’m satisfied with what I’ve done in boxing.”  Mayweather prepares for Victor Ortiz on September 17^th and Pacquiao, hinted he really isn’t interested in the outcome. “I think I am more focused on this fight compared to the last two because Marquez denied he lost the fight, complaining he won the fight, complaining blah, blah, blah, and that makes me focus and train hard for this fight,” he said.

Truth be told, Pacquiao is relaxed and ready for his third meeting with Marquez. The press conference at Chelsea Piers started with Pacquiao singing a rendition of “Sometimes When We Touch” with Dan Hill the original composer. At previous media events in New York City, Pacquiao would make his entrance, sit quietly at the podium and wait to be introduced. This time it was a different tune but the same Manny Pacquiao acknowledging his legion of fans from the Philippines who observed in a rear area of the Lighthouse.

“I still enjoy the press tours,” he said. “It’s a good thing. You meet a lot of your fans.”  Earlier, Pacquiao did a jog in Central Park and headed to the press conference. After a twenty minute sit- down with the media he did a live spot with ESPN, stopped at HBO headquarters in midtown, and then to JFK Airport with a destination to Los Angeles for the next stop on this latest media tour.

This may not be the fight Pacquiao wanted, but it sparks interest for boxing fans. After all it is Manny Pacquiao, and it is a trilogy with Marquez. They met at featherweight in their first fight and at super featherweight in their second encounter.  Pacquiao has graduated to be a record eight- division champion and once again is favored to win this time at a catch weight of 144 pounds. Marquez is a three-division champion and went down three times in the first fight in 2004, though the outcome was a draw. The crafty (53-5-1, 39 KO) veteran at 38- years of age is not concerned about the outcome of this one. He says moving up in weight is not an issue.  To which Pacquiao says, “I don’t know what Marquez can improve moving up in weight. We fought at 130 pounds in the last fight, and the third fight is 144. I don’t know what he can do.”

Marquez claimed he won both fights. “I know I can do it again,” he says. “I did it in 24-rounds. I was able to get a draw even though I knocked him down three times, so I beat him. I just have to be fast and I have to hit him hard enough.” And if Marquez prevails, or even if he sustains the loss, there is a rematch clause in the contract. But he deeply feels he will dethrone Pacquiao and take his welterweight title.

“I already proved it,” said Pacquiao about their previous fights and disputing Marquez when it came to the controversial draw. “But somebody is claiming they won the fight. I have to work again and prove I won the fights. I want to prove that somebody is wrong and somebody I right.”  But this fight will not be a legacy for Pacquiao, even if it is a trilogy.  He says there will be adjustments since the last fight with Shane Mosley and in the previous fights with Marquez. “I learned more techniques and strategies for being a fighter,” he says.

Freddie Roach, his trainer says, “Pacquiao will knock him (Marquez) out along the way. Manny can’t walk in like we did in the first two. He was just a young kid then. He’s a much more intelligent fighter. I am very confident he will knock him out.”  But Pacquiao is not underestimating Marquez. He saw his last fight on July 16^th, a first-round TKO over former WBA interim super featherweight champion Likar Ramos.

“I saw a still good Marquez but the difference is, I changed a lot of my style and improved my technique and strategy and my power,” commented Pacquiao. There has never been a question of the power, or the technique, just that Marquez is now in the way of continuing the legacy that Manny Pacquiao has established. Far from retirement though, as promoter Bob Arum looks at his main fighter continuing a fight schedule and serving in the capacity of Congressman from the Philippines at least until re-election time in 2013.

Yes, it was a different entrance for Manny Pacquiao in New York City Tuesday. And the trilogy with Marquez should close some issues and put a conclusion to whatever controversy that occurred in their previous fights. Pacquiao has nothing much more to prove, even if we still don’t have a resolution to the Mayweather question.

Arum still wants the Mayweather fight to happen. For now the trilogy bout with Marquez will fill the void and because it is Manny Pacquiao, who happens to be the face of boxing, there will be continued interest.

So there they were in New York City Tuesday afternoon. Froch the WBC Super Middleweight champion facing off with the WBA champion Andre Ward, two of the major title holders in the division at the Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. It was the second of a three-day press tour in London, New York, and tomorrow in Oakland California, and for Showtime and the sport the final could not be a better match.

Even if it means that the winner gets a silver cup and unofficial title as the best at 168, what is more significant is both titles are on the line. And for boxing, unifying something always means something. They say that Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on October 29^th will be a sellout, and that there is more anticipation there for a fight since the last time the late Arturo Gatti fought at the historic venue.

Froch expects to have the support. Similar to Ricky Hatton, he has a contingent of fans that follow him. There won’t be 40,000 or more fans at Boardwalk Hall, and that does not matter to Ward who had no objection to the final being held on the east coast. “His comfort zone is in the ring,” said Dan Goosen, Ward’s promoter. Ward and Froch fought three bouts apiece against opponents in the field in the points-based group stage of competition.

It has been a tournament that many say has run its course, and perhaps it has, but   never envisioned that the final would include two champions in the 168-pound weight class. Goosen said the other major sports can’t compare to what this tournament has accomplished. Well, maybe that was putting a little extra on what Showtime has accomplished, though there is anticipation as two of the premiere fighters in the world will fight for something more significant than a silver cup.

“Losing does not epitomize not being great,” said Ken Hershman Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports. Froch lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Mikkel Kessler on April 24 of last year. This has not been a normal formula to determine supremacy, nevertheless, Ward (24-0, 13 KO’s) the last US Olympic Gold Medalist from Oakland California , got to the final with a unanimous decision win over former champion Arthur Abraham on May 14^th.

“Froch is a competitor and wants to feel he is better and wants to win the tournament,” said Ward. “I feel the same way. I felt I had to best to take on to be here. “You need a scorecard to remember how Ward got here, and some of the original Super Six entrants were out of the picture because of injuries or via elimination. Maybe that is why Goosen and Showtime were so enthusiastic that Ward and Froch made the final.

Ward defeated Kessler for the WBA championship in the first stage with a dominant win in the 11^th round in November of 2009. A year later he went on to defeat Allan Green in stage 2 in his hometown of Oakland. In between the merry-go-round Kessler was gone, the undefeated Arthur Abraham was eliminated, Andre Dirrell did not continue after a loss to Ward, and Green replaced Jermain Taylor who was knocked out by Abraham in the first stage of competition.

Glen Johnson, the former light heavyweight champion got the call to replace the injured Kessler and won his first bout over Green in stage 3 last November. Froch defeated Johnson with a 12-round unanimous decision on June 4^th at Boardwalk Hall that got him to the final.  Yes, very confusing but it does not matter now because the final should be a good one.

Froch, 28-1, 20 K0’s, sustained his only loss to Kessler, a controversial unanimous decision in Denmark. “It’s high stakes, it’s all business,” he said. There’s respect before and after,” he claimed about Ward, “But not during the fight. If there is a knockout in this fight it is coming from me, for sure. Best he can do is get, points on a decision. I’m looking to take him out.”

And Showtime is hopeful, as expected, that this final showdown to determine something will be a knockout for boxing fans.

E-MAIL Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Besides the fact we had to wait over an hour for his grand arrival at a press conference that would top a Star Wars movie premiere, it was Mayweather holding court as fans cheered in the balcony area ,and the media who came out for a typical new school type of press gathering continued to wait. No questions asked at the podium, just Mayweather giving his account of the issues that have kept him out of the ring the past 16 months.

Never discount what Mayweather says, or for what he does. They said he is the best pound-for-pound- fighter in the business, but until he exchanges punches with Manny Pacquiao that issue will always be open to debate. However, when Mayweather returns it is always a production. The fight is being billed as “Star Power” to also promote what Ortiz has accomplished and will also be televised at closed circuit venues.

So disregard all the talk that Mayweather is avoiding Pacquiao. We waited for the anticipated first of a two-city press tour. Wednesday they take the production to Los Angeles, because Mayweather is holding his own forum. And if you could get a question or two in, when the proceedings were over, good luck. Mayweather was protected on the stage as he was bombarded with those who say they were media, and some of the imitators who claim they are.

There is the overall consensus if Maywether wins this fight, and if Manny Pacquiao holds his end of the bargain in November, against Juan Manuel Marquez, then the anticipated fight with the two becomes a reality. Not right away. Because Bob Arum, promoter of Pacquiao may have other plans for Pacquiao to fight Mike Jones after Marquez, and Ortiz, promoted by Golden Boy should not be counted out until the last punch is thrown in September. Adding to the puzzle is Mayweather and Arum still at opposite ends in their verbal war.

Here is Mayweather talking like he never did before. There wasn’t that trash talk, instead compliments thrown at his opponent.  His children were at the podium, though a few obscenities, unexpectedly, came from the mouth of Ortiz, maybe because this was the first time the champion was in the spotlight and he seemed to be enjoying the moment.

But those who saw Mayweather heard the difference. It may be psychological games what he said about the Pacquiao fight, why he has stayed away from the ring, because of family responsibilities. His adviser, Leonard Ellerbe refused to discuss all the legal proceedings surrounding Mayweather, saying “We focus on the business part and the boxing part. We let the attorneys handle the legal stuff.”

As Bert Sugar, boxing writer and historian said, “It was Mayweather on the couch talking to a psychologist and we listened and we should get some of his money for listening.” No kidding, it was Mayweather explaining where he is and what is taking so long to get a fight going with Pacquiao. We wanted the answer and perhaps it has become clearer.

“It’s not just Pacquiao, it’s sports period,” said Mayweather referring to the steroid issue. He and Ortiz have agreed to drug testing under the United States Anti-Doping Agency protocol which includes random blood and urine testing. That was what Mayweather and Schaefer insisted when the proposed fight with Pacquiao was scrapped. Since then litigation and defamation suits have not been dropped by Pacquiao, regarding allegations about Pacquiao from the Mayweather camp.

More from Mayweather about the steroid issue, and take it the way you want. “If you look at sports in the Olympics they’re cheating, everyone is cheating. And I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating. Only thing I said was this: Me and any other opponent I face must take the test.”

“I have never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids. I never said he was taking enhancement drugs. I want to fight the best they got out there, not just him (Pacquiao) and if he’s on the list as one of the best guys, then absolutely. Do I want the Pacquiao fight, absolutely if that’s what the fans want.”

Two things here form the statements. If Mayweather can tell an audience how he feels about Pacquiao, then why could he not do that by failing to show for a court ordered deposition that still hangs in the balance? And if he believes Pacquiao is on the list as one of the best, why did he take on Ortiz now, which leads to more legitimacy that Mayweather has been ducking Pacquiao and all this steroid stuff was nonsense.

Though, there is hope. The first time, Richard Schaefer CEO of Golden Boy was at war with Arum. They came to a truce and seem to be in more contact and looking again to have a good working relationship. Mayweather respects Schaefer and is co-promoting, Mayweather Promotions, and that was evident Tuesday afternoon at a press gathering that lasted more than four hours.

Schaefer is also at peace that he and Arum are talking. It may be a part of business that boxing has been accustomed to seeing over the years, but either way, it makes it that much easier this time for Schaefer to be a part of the Pacquiao-Mayweather talks or involvement.

“It is good for boxing,” commented Schaefer when asked about his truce with Arum.” We have to work together. We are all in this together. Floyd said what he had to say today. Let’s get the Ortiz fight over with and go from there. Victor is a fine young man and deserves this opportunity.”

Mayweather returns to the ring for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May of 2010.  And that froum, what Sugar compared to him talking to a psychologist, also questioned why the media continues to attack Mayweather. His kids are older and they understand, so he said, that their father is under attack for things that are not true.

Mayweather said, “When you’re young, black and rich, you go through things in life. But I’m a strong individual. I can survive through anything.” But to be fair about the Mayweather situation, he causes his own demise, and the media, those legitimate to tell it, are doing their job as accurate reporters do.

For Ortiz, this is the opportunity, a champion now and looking to defend his title. He wanted to fight the best, whether it was Pacquiao or Mayweather. “I realize he is a great fighter,” said Ortiz. “I always said I wanted to fight Mayweather one day as champion of the world and check it out… It’s crazy.”

Yes Ortiz is the success story here and Mayweather will always be in the discussion with Manny Pacquiao. But Ortiz had the remark of the day before Mayweather had his time. “I’m fighting Pacquiao next. I’m the champion of the world and I’m not giving that up.”

And Mayweather has to remember that he is not the champion. Did the tide change with his remarks? That remains to be determined. At least we know the fight may be getting closer with Pacquiao, or is it?

That hierarchy now brainwashing fans, those who put it all together for WWE, the script writers this time, have hit “Rock Bottom” in their desperation to keep their product going another year.  But this unprecedented announcement on RAW Monday night leaves a lot of questions.

Yes it shapes up to be a match of great proportion. The Rock and Cena who represent two different and recent eras of this so called WWE universe and for whatever it is worth one would assume it will be well anticipated. A year from now, though, leaves plenty of questions.

Is the Rock now a fulltime roster member again of WWE? Does he leave a successful Hollywood career or go on hiatus and work shows the next 52 weeks leading to the next Mania? And for Cena, hindered by injuries, does he avoid missing time because of a bad shoulder, bicep, or anything else that occasionally puts him on the shelf?

You see, making a main event as good as it seems, a year in advance, does have some risks. Not to count the story lines have to continue and one would assume Cena, more than the Rock, will still be involved in the WWE title picture. How the Rock stands in all of this remains to be determined because it is not known if he has signed a yearlong deal with his return or spot appearances.

What is the objective, so soon and so far away of a Cena-Rock showdown?  Nothing really, because the WWE is running themselves right off the map despite all the popularity and good ratings that continue to be public knowledge. However the hard core wrestling fan, those not being a new generation of kids, are tuning away and turned off.

Mr. McMahon is desperate and needs the Rock to pull in fans he had ten years ago.   At the same time Cena, like him or not, has brought in another generation of fans. Two of the most popular superstars in the past ten years are locked in a feud that we will hear about time and time again.

However, the objective of WrestleMania from the inception was to always milk the shows weeks and months before. Meaning fans would obviously speculate as to who would main event at WrestleMania. Guess now the Royal Rumble, that always had the angle of the winner taking on the champion of WWE, or the world would get the title shot at Mania will not hold any significance.

Now that changes. So does the anticipation because it is the Rock against Cena and you know it was coming.  And hopefully the writers who scripted this WrestleMania of Sunday past will put Rock and Cena last and not at the beginning.

Unless we get another Undertaker-Triple H match which was hinted on RAW Monday night.  That should have been the last match on Sunday at the Georgia Dome and not Cena versus the Miz.

As the Miz says “Awesome.”  But you are not going to hear that word here. Setting a main event for WrestleMania a year in advance, the biggest stage of them all is not the objective of what a pro wrestling fan wants. You need to keep the viewers watching and now the fun is just about over.

Please, whoever is responsible for the script, we hope you were teasing. This is not the way pro wrestling is supposed to be.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It is the championship fight of the other Showtime tournament, the other being the “Super Six” Super Middleweight tournament that has brought a boxing fan to a brink with all the changes and fixtures that go along with a long and dragged out tournament. However, no matter how one views the Showtime concept of tournament boxing to determine who is number one, it seems this final bout with Agbeko has gathered interest and anticipation.

Because like the competitive and not so well publicized featherweight division, the bantamweights suffer the same dilemma. A boxing fan does not get to appreciate what they can do, that is, sustain interest and give some respectability to the sport.

“I love the tournament,” commented Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO’s) the native of Accra, Ghana who recaptured the IBF crown from Yonnnhy Perez in the semifinal round in November. It was the first loss for the (20-1-1) Perez who will be in the consolation bout opposing former two-division world champion, the 35-3-1, Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan.  It was Perez who remained undefeated in a close fight with Agbeko taking a unanimous decision in 2009.

This has been more of four of the best type of elimination determining the best that is brief and not cluttered. There were no problems with fighters pulling out, making weight, partly due to the limited top 10 names in the division that leaves little acclaim this division receives. “It gives a lot of exposure to the division and what we can do,” said Agbeko as he prepared for another workout close to home.

“The winner of this fight is the best bantamweight in the world,” he says with a heavy accent similar to welterweight contender Joshua Clottey. He and Clottey are from the same country, and also train together when possible, residing a few minutes apart in in the vicinity of Yankee Stadium which is in proximity to the old and revamped gym in the South Bronx.

The fight with Mares will be a test. The bantamweights can throw a lot of punches, have speed and offer some power.  The forum of being seen by millions on Showtime won’t hurt, and Agbeko, a Don King promoted fighter, with, a resounding win could put this division on the map. Though there are those in boxing who will never look at the bantamweight king as a division that propels the sport.

“That’s what they may say that we are not popular,” he says. “I feel happy to be in the final of the tournament. The only prediction that I know is that I am going to come out of the ring as the winner of the night. I’ve really prepared for Mares. I don’t know if he will take the strength and the skills I bring to the ring.”

Agbeko, 32-years old did not watch Mares defeat Darchinvan. It does not concern him claiming that the southpaw Darchinvan would offer nothing to study the possible next opponent. He goes about his business and depends on experienced advisor and cut man Len DeJesus and trainer Adama Addy.

They also have seen the talent that Agbeko brings to the ring. Addy, who has trained Agbeko 18 years, going back to their days in Ghana keeps his fighter in the Bronx to avoid distractions back home. “There is no girlfriend here,” he said with a laugh. But the serious business has been taking place in the gym with a realization that Agbeko will be considered an elite fighter if he indeed prevails over Mares.

“We have no particular style going into this fight,” he says. “With him (Agbeko) you don’t know. As for the question of how Agbeko can make the division more prominent, Addy commented “The power he has makes this division popular.”

Take that to the bank because power from guys coming in at 122 is something to admire.  Mares also can be dominant but may not offer the strength and power to his opponent. Though he did go down in the seventh from a Darchinyan punch to the body and came back to floor his opponent in the seventh with a vicious left that had Darchinyan dazed.

As for the ultimate question of moving to the ever more competitive featherweight division, Agbeko said he has no problem in taking another step. The money will never be huge in his division and there is a young champion Yuriorkis Gamboa taking charge at 126 and destined to be around a long time

To that he said, “I’m thinking of moving up to featherweight to take on the big guys. I’m thinking of Gamboa, Lopez (Juan Manuel) and I’m thinking about being in the league with them. After this fight, if I don’t get any good competition then I’m going to move to featherweight. I want to fight them I want to prove to the world that I’m the best.

And to many, Agbeko is the best, at least for now among the bantamweights.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

It is normal for Pacquiao to be greeted for an elaborate press gathering. The sensation from the Philippines is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business. And with no fight on the horizon with Floyd Mayweather Jr, there is no argument as to who is the best.

Pacquiao also draws a large contingent of fans from his island and for his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, there is no question he is the top promotional fighter when it comes to boxing and the pay-per-view industry. Perhaps that is why Hershman and Arum have aligned their business and why Showtime, a parent company of CBS, is once again a player in the boxing PPV industry.

“We are thrilled to be working with Showtime and with Manny Pacquiao and they are not new to boxing and pay-per-view,” said Arum who also has his other draw, world champion Miguel Cotto also fighting on Showtime pay-per-view against Ricardo Mayorga on March 12^th from Vegas for Cotto’s light middleweight title.

No, Showtime is not new to the boxing PPV industry and they had a good marriage with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Their last PPV broadcast was the second fight with Diego Corrales against Jose Luis Castillo in 2005. Since that time HBO and Arum had a good working relationship, but like revolutions around the world boxing also sees changes.

Hershman and Top Rank executives got together a few months ago when Arum saw a need for change. His chief rival Golden Boy Promotions, under former champion Oscar De La Hoya and CEO Richard Schaffer were “in bed” with HBO.  Booking dates and trying to force Arum out of the MGM Arena, more so Schaffer was undermining Arum as the representative for Floyd Mayweather Jr, in negotiations to get the fight going between Pacquiao and Mayweather.

That stalemate, the insistence from Mayweather that Pacquiao would agree to Olympic drug and blood testing procedures, may have been the end of the line for HBO and Arum opening the door once again for Showtime. Hershman would not go that far on Monday as to say how his aligning with Arum transpired.

“We are not new at this,” he commented, “we are optimistic and will be innovative.” That word innovation is the key because Showtime has the capability to give the struggling sport of boxing exposure on the CBS Television Network and with radio stations the company owns in key markets around the country.

Something HBO could not do was going beyond their network. Pacquiao and Mosley, even Cotto and other Top Rank fighter of Latino descent can be seen on the CBS Early Morning Show, perhaps “60 Minutes” or on “Late Night” with David Letterman.

Arum was gleaming. The promoter who once was at war with rival Don King, a co-promoter for Cotto-Mayorga , knows what is best for boxing. And with Showtime and CBS, he may have had the answer to getting boxing back on national television.

Pacquiao will be fighting under the Showtime PPPV banner for the first time whose fights over the past two years have amounted to nearly 4 million pay-per-view buys and record box office receipts. “These are exciting times and this is the first time I am encountering an opponent that is not trash talking,” said Pacquiao about his opponent Mosley.

Pacquiao, (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) the record setting eight-division champion and Congressman from the Philippines will train there for a few weeks and then take his camp to Los Angeles with trainer Freddie Roach. The veteran Mosley, (46-6-1, 39 KO’s), a three-division champion knows he has his work cut out for him in efforts to stop Pacquiao.

It may not be a fight the boxing world is looking for as questions still arise as to when, or if Pacquiao and Mayweather will ever meet. Still Pacquiao draws interest no matter who he gets in the ring with, and he would not rule out an inevitable meeting with Mayweather.

“It can still happen,” said Pacquiao about a meeting with Mayweather that could determine who is the best. For now, he and Mosley are elated about fighting on Showtime. The “Fight Camp 360; Pacquiao vs. Mosley” four –part documentary series that follows both fighters before the big fight will premiere before CBS airs  coverage of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship Final Four on Saturday April 2^nd.

That means more hype for the PPV date, more importantly needed and great exposure for the sport of boxing. CBS is the top rated television network, and the fight series airs before one of the largest sport events on the calendar.

Arum and Hershman got this one right. They did it for boxing and the loyal fans desperate for some needed exposure. Pacquiao is known world-wide and may have two more fights in his arsenal while Cotto will go long as long as he wants to.

HBO will continue to do what they do. Golden Boy will supply them some of the exciting junior welterweights though very few are marketable commodities for pay-per-view telecasts. HBO is very silent but the prevailing view is they are taking a hit.

The comment from Hershman about how HBO is taking all of this: “You have to ask them,” he said with confidence.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Instead it was WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and two-time champion Ricardo Mayorga doing the talking for their upcoming “Relentless” title fight Saturday March 12^th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  Showtime Championship Boxing will televise the event that will also include Yori Foreman taking on top ten- contender Pawel Wolak in a 10-round super welterweight bout.

There was King doing his thing. Flamboyant as ever, King who is no longer considered a major player, has his hopes that Mayorga will take the title away from Cotto. This was a fight under discussion last year even before Mayorga tested the waters in mixed martial arts.

Cotto is still a viable champion and if victorious could get his redemption against Antonio Margarito at Madison Square Garden in June. But looking ahead has never been a motive for Cotto. He leaves that to Arum, his promoter and is looking for another dominant fight after disposing Foreman at Yankee Stadium in New York last June.

So we saw a different type of Cotto at the podium. Mayorga has a habit of bringing out the best in an opponent especially when the lights and cameras are on. There was no cigarette in the mouth of Mayorga, or a liquor bottle in his hand that has been customary, just combatant words from Mayorga that had Cotto on edge and ready to respond when he had the opportunity.

And through it all, King was silent. Perhaps the one time most powerful promoter in the sport has seen age and less power take its toll. Mayorga did the talking, and so did Cotto in what could be an interesting and perplexing fight that was good enough for Showtime and not HBO to take an interest.

Mayorga predicted a fourth round knockout, and it got better. “I have been watching all your fights the past four months, you are punch drunk,” he said to the champion from Cagaus Puerto Rico. “You can’t take a punch anymore and I will retire him. You and your trainer (Emanuel Steward) will fall.”

And with those words, and much more, Cotto went to work. Much more of the fighting words not usually heard from the champion at one of his press conferences. Because Mayorga compared Cotto’s hands to a woman and said he never liked him as a fighter.

The tone from Cotto was much different and of course assertive   He has never backed down from a challenge and certainly not this one  “My job is to fight in the ring,” answered Cotto who has held a world title every year since 2004 winning 15 of the 17 world championship belts he has held. “Nobody wins a fight with their mouth,” he said.

Both fighters have been in the ring with some of the best including Manny Pacquiao, Felix Trinidad and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. “Like Margarito, after the Pacquiao fight, you will be thinking of retiring after I am done with you,” said the 37-year old Mayorga, (28-7-23KO’s).

There were references to Cotto being “as small as a kid,” and “I think my pants are taller than you.” Of course more fire coming from Mayorga. This should make the fight more interesting in the weeks ahead. King was smiling again, but Cotto wasn’t because references to retirement and the ugly loss to Margarito only make him more confident.

What to watch before March 12^th is how well Cotto works again with Steward who will be in his corner for the second time. The two adapted well when Cotto stopped Foreman.

“Mayorga is a very tough man physically and mentally,” said Steward. “Forget about boxing, he is a fighter. He is going to come out and throw punches from all angles. He will probably come into the ring about 170 pounds.”

And Cotto kept talking as Mayorga did his usual interrupting. “I didn’t interrupt you, so don’t interrupt me,” he said to the challenger “The door is open there if you want to leave. With those little pants I beat Shane Mosley…do you remember him, Shane Mosley,” referring to how Mayorga  lost by knockout to Mosley in their title bout back in 2008.

Yes, a fight that will draw some interest and speculation as to who will prevail, and a win for King if his fighter Mayorga is victorious.  For Cotto a win leads to getting closer to a redemption fight with Margarito.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

On Wednesday night DiBella Entertainment, Broadway Boxing presented an exciting night of boxing at BB King Blues Club in Manhattan.

Gabriel Bracero vs Hector Alatorre – Light-welterweight

The main event of the night was crowd favorite Gabriel Bracero (12-0) of Brooklyn, NY, who scored an eight round unanimous decision over tough Hector Alatorre (16-11) of Tulare, CA, this was a Light-welterweight bout. “Tito”, as Bracero is known, brought his usual all action style to the ring and landed with various combination shots throughout the fight, including a good number of right hands which seemed to catch Alatorre`s attention. The rugged Alatorre gave a good account of himself and both fighters showed the marks of a tough battle, with Bracero cut to the left eye, caused by a head butt and Alatorre a nasty gash on the left side of his head.

All three judges scored the fight 80-72 to Bracero  (13-0) and Alatorre drops to 16-12.

Javier Fortuna vs Victor Valenzuela – Super -featherweight

The most exciting fight of the night which didn’t even make it out of the first round was between explosive punching Dominican Republic native Javier Fortuna (12-0) and Victor Valenzuela (8-ll0) of Passaic, NJ at Super-featherweight. From the bell both fighters came out blasting, throwing bombs to the pleasure of the crowd. Southpaw Fortuna managed to back Valenzuela up against the ropes and landed a right hook which had Valenzuela out cold on his feet, Fortuna then followed up with a powerful left hook and Valenzuela crashED to the canvas. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr immediately waved the fight off at 1:10 of the first round.Fortuna now marches to 13-0 and Valenzuela falls to 8-1.

Tor Hamer vs Demetrice King – Heavyweight

In a heavyweight contest, New York’s Tor Hamer (12-1) scored a systematic eight round unanimous decision over game trial horse Demetrice King (14-19) of Flint, MI. Hamer boxed and moved well during the bout, using his jab to set up a variety of combinations. In round three, Hamer appeared to hurt King against the ropes but was unable to get the stoppage. At the end of the contest Kings swollen face showed the amount of punishment he took throughout.

All three judges scored the fight 80-72 to Hamer, now 13-1.

Sonya Lamonakis vs Tiffany Woodard – Heavyweight

New York’s Sonya Lamonakis (2-0) by way of Greece returned to BB Kings once again to excite her fans with a six round unanimous decision over Tiffany Woodward (3-3) of Wilson, North Carolina. Woodard came out boxing and landed some clean jab right hands on the face of Lamonakis, however, it was the overall strength and harder shots of Lamonakis which proved the difference between the two fighters. Woodard was not at all fazed by the stronger Lamonakis and gave all she could to the final bell with some great exchanges and inside work by both. Judges  scored the fight 58-56, and Mc 58-57. Lamonakis now improves to 3-0 and Woodard falls to 3-4.

Alex Perez vs Doel Carrasquillo – Welterweight

Southpaw Alex “The Brick City Bullet” Perez (12-0) of Newark, New Jersey made a hard fought and very entertaining debut under DiBella Entertainment with an eight round unanimous decision over extremely tough and durable Doel Carrasquillo (14-16-1) of Lancaster PA. Perez came out throwing some heavy artillery, landing with numerous straight rights, left hands and hooks. Carrasquillo kept walking forward with a very high guard, soaking up everything Perez had to offer. On many occasions Carrasquillo seemed to mock Perez by lowering his hands and taking deep breathes. This continued up until round five when Perez seemed tired from his own constant movement and the heavy punches he had been throwing. Carrasquillo still marching forward took advantage of the tired Perez and caught him flush with a left hook, Perez went down but arose at around seven and finished the round. From round six onwards Perez regrouped and boxed his way to the final bell. Judges scored the fight 72-78 73-78. Perez now improves to 13-0 and Carrasquillo drops to 14-17-1.

Steven Martinez vs David Lopez – Light-middleweight

Steven Martinez (6-0) of the Bronx, New York had won all of his previous six fights by KO, however, he was extended for the first time in his young career when he won a six round unanimous decision over the crafty and durable David Lopez (3-2-3) of Caldwell, ID. Martinez came out holding the center of the ring throwing an abundant number of left and right hooks to the body of Lopez, which had him clinging on. This pretty much continued up until the end of round five, although round six saw the southpaw Lopez come out firing, throwing clusters of shots to the predictable Martinez having some success. Martinez fought fire with fire and retaliated back with his own shots which brought an end to a decent contest. All three judges scored the fight 55-59 to Martinez. Martinez now goes to 7-0 and Lopez to 3-3-3.

Delen Parsley vs Eberto Medina – Light-middleweight

Delen Parsley (3-0) of Brooklyn, NY, scored a four round unanimous decision over rugged Eberto Medina (5-4) of Newark, NJ. The taller Parsley trying to establish his jab by using his height and reach advantage over his opponent, this was met by strong hooks from Medina as he waded forward under the reach of Parsley forcing him backwards. Parsley figured this out and worked to the body of Medina forcing him to spit/lose his mouth piece twice in the first round. Medina did have some success in the second round as he worked on the inside of Parsley. However, by round three Parsley had found his range and worked well behind the jab, also connecting with solid straight right hands as Medina jumped in. Parsley hurt and staggered Medina into the corner at the end of the fourth and looked on the verge of a stoppage, but Medina hung on and made it to the bell. All three judges scored the fight 39-37 to Parsley. Parsley now improves to 4-0 and Medina falls to 5-5.

Angel Gonzalez vs Borngod Washington – Light-heavyweight

Angel Gonzalez (1-2) of Yonkers, NY, disposed of Borngod Washington (0-6) in 43 seconds of the first round. Washington came out swinging for the fences, hitting and backing up Gonzalez. Gonzalez furiously retaliated with a series of wild punches, he then backed Washington up against the ropes and landed a left hook which sent Borngod numb on the ropes, forcing referee Arthur Mercante Jr to stop the contest. Gonzalez moves to 2-2 and Washington sinks to 0-7.