On Saturday, December 6th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV the long awaited exhibition Welterweight bout between the current WBC Lightweight champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (47-3-2) vs Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya (39-5) to settle once and for all who really is the best pound for pound fighter in boxing today.  Stay tuned as I will soon be posting up the prop bets on the fight as well as my picks for the winner and the over/under.  By the way, that photo says $30 million fight, but according to reports it will be more like $100 million!!! Below you will find the current lines on the fight which have Oscar heavily favored at more than 2 to 1… Read the rest of this entry »

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today began distributing food to over 135,000 people displaced by fighting in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has forced an estimated 250,000 people to flee their homes in recent months.

The distributions are aimed at internally displaced persons (IDPs) in six camps around Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, which has been the scene of deadly fighting between Government forces (FARDC) and the rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), led by renegade general Laurent Nkunda.

While clashes are continuing in some parts of North Kivu, a recent ceasefire is reportedly stillWFP is responding as quickly as possible to deliver food to people who’ve been brutalised too many times over many years holding in Goma, which has a swelling population of between 700,000 and 1 million.

“WFP is responding as quickly as possible to deliver food to people who’ve been brutalised too many times over many years,” said Mustapha Darboe, WFP Regional Director for Southern, Eastern and Central Africa.

“Now they are suffering again. Tens of thousands have been uprooted in North Kivu and we are doing everything we can to find them and help them.”

The 10-day rations will be distributed in all camps at the same time to avoid any disturbances, as well as to ease the pressure on food supplies in Goma since the violence temporarily cut off many delivery routes.

The agency is moving food stocks to Goma from its office in Bukavu in South Kivu, and bringing in supplies from Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Assisting WFP with the relief effort is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which will handle distributions to the estimated 65,000 IDPs who are now gathered at Kibati camp, 15 kilometres north of Goma.

The agency reported that a UN assessment mission to the Rutshuru area - the scene of much of the recent fighting - was forced to cut short its work on Tuesday when it found itself in close proximity to new clashes around Kiwanja, north of Rutshuru town.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has confirmed that three IDP camps in the area were destroyed and emptied, and is trying along with WFP and other agencies to determine what happened to the inhabitants.

“This is a dangerous and unstable environment and it’s going to be challenging to deliver food to where it is needed most. We need proper security in place to ensure everyone involved is safe and that we reach the most vulnerable,” Mr. Darboe said.

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On Saturday July 26th 9pm at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, Miguel Angel Cotto will square off in defense of his Welterweight title against Antonio Margarito to determine the who owns the top spot in the division as well as give the media the chance to tout one of them as boxings best pound for pound fighters.  Current betting odds are as follows:

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This Saturday, June 28th at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada WBC Super Featherweight Champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will move up in weight class to the 135 pound lightweight division to challenge WBC Lightweight Champ David Diaz in a 10 round bout to be broadcast on HBO pay per view.  Currently the bookies have Pacquiao an overwhelming favorite at -410 (risk $410 to win $100) with Diaz a long shot at +260 (risk $100 to win $260), this may seem a little high considering that Diaz is the current champ at the lightweight division, but then again the competition at that weight class may have been a little weak.

Manny Pacquiao -410 is coming off a close split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in which he suffered a severe cut over his right eye that many feared would not be healed in time for this bout.  Pacquiao has definantly shown that he can go the distance pound for pound with anyone and his tolerance for taking punches has been tested time again from Barrera and Marquez.  Pacman will need to rely a lot on his speed to out manuever Diaz and hope to make it a tacticle fight in which he can wear him down.  His punching power may be suspect especially against an opponent who is naturally a bigger boxer.

David Diaz +260 is no slouch himself and really should get some more respect than the odds let on, he is naturally bigger and from past experiences he looks to hit harder, while not a power puncher he still carries enough to keep Pacman at bay.  If Diaz can control himself and defend against Pacquiao’s hand speed he can stun him enough to work in the combos that he will most likely need to have a chance to defend his title.

My Pick:  Both fighters need to make this a tacticle fight, Diaz needs to be calculating and in control to avoid the flurry of combos and jabs that Pacquiao will throw his way and Pacman will need to use caution to avoid catching a hard right which has been known to make him buckle.  If the fight goes the distance then Pacquiao will no doubt win based soley on the punch count, but if Daiz can hurt him early and contiue the pressure I like his chances. With the spread so high on Pacman I cannot advocate taking the favorite, chances are he will win, but one punch could change all of that so if you must beat a winner then take Diaz for a $20 fun buck bet, what I really like is the over 9.5 rounds -140, its not high enough to get over exposed and the odds are good it will come in. Take the over!

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Saturday April 12th at Atlantic City, N.J. (HBO): Miguel Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez, 12 rounds, for Cotto’s WBA welterweight title.

Many will remember Alfonso Gomez from the first and ultimately the best season of ESPN’s “The Contender” where he was a fan favorite and fierce competitor.  Since his appearance Gomez has been making a name for himself and at 18-3-2 with 8 KO’s hes has worked his way up the ladder to challenge Cotto 31-0 with 25 KO’s for the WCB Welterweight Title.  Its not going to be any picnic for Gomez going up against a more experienced and most would say harder hitting Cotto.  Zab Judah and Shane Mosley found out the hard way that Cotto is not to be underestimated after convincing whoopings that he put on both of them in his last 2 fights.  Regardless Gomez has the heart to make it a great fight and I doubt he will let us down.  Heres the current moneyline odds on the fight:

Miguel Cotto -1225 (risk $1225 to win $100)
Alfonso Gomez +700 (risk $100 to win $700)

Total Rounds over 9.5 +135 (risk $100 to win $135)
Total Rounds under 9.5 -175 (risk $175 to win $100)   

My Pick:  In this case its obviously foolish to take the favorite, no one is going to bet on a line that high, especially in boxing where a lucky kidney punch can end it before it gets going.  The play is Gomez +700 but not for your usual $100 bet, more like $50.  I also like the Over 9.5 rounds +135, I know Cotto hits hard but Gomez is kinda like Arturo Gatti in that you just can’t put him down, he takes a beating real good but won’t be knocked out. By the way Gomez destroyed Gatti last year and actually did knock him out so the previous statement may be a little vexing…

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On Saturday, February 16th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, Undefeated World Champion middleweight Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik will take on Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor in a rematch of there September 2007 bout in which Pavlik a heavy underdog stunned the former champ in the 7th round with a hard jab and then followed with a combination that resulted in the KO making him the new Middleweight Champion of the world.  Taylor was no doubt shocked by the kid from Youngstown and has no doubt been counting down the days to the rematch and a chance to regain his title that he had held for so long. 

For this bout the bookmakers have wised up to Pavlik’s ability and have him the favorite at -180(risk $180 to win $100) with Taylor the underdog at +140(risk $100 to win $140). The over/under on the fight is currently at 10.5 rounds with the over at +150(risk $100 to win $150) and the under at -190(risk $190 to win $100), which indicates that the bookmakers are looking for a knock out and as hard as these 2 hit that is very possible.  At these odds the bookies are making it hard for the bettor, but there is no reason to think that Taylor cannot come back and claim his title, the fact is that he punched himself out too early and didn’t finish him in the 2nd round when the opportunity presented itself.  You can bet that Taylor will not underestimate “The Ghosts” ability again and will be better prepared to fight a more strategic fight.  With Taylors past track record I gotta go with the ex-champ, no disrespect to Pavlik, but Taylor has the experience to get it done while Pavlik being a first time champ might have softened a bit basking in the comfort of holding the world title for the last 4 months. I also like the over 10.5 rounds this will be a much more calculating fight as both fighters have been studying each other neither wants to hit the mat face first.  Take the dog!!!

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When will Holyfield just let it end!!! Touted as the most important Heavyweight fight of 2007, 4 time Heavyweight champ Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield will travel to Moscow, Russia to take on WBO defending champ Sultan Ibragimov on Saturday October, 13.  Holyfield will attempt to break the record by holding the championship belt for a 5th time!!!

The 2 fighters weighed in today with Holyfield coming in at 211.5 while the champ just just under 220. The mere age differance is enough to give you an idea of the outcome.  Ibragimov is 32 almost 13 years the junior to Holyfield who will be 45 next week! 

The Russian looks waay too fast for the old man whose last 4 wins came against less than recognized fighters and are no where near the talent of Ibragimov.  Some wonder jsut how long the fight will last and knowing Holyfields never quit attitude, worry that he may get hurt in a permanent sort of way.  I am one of those who feel this way. 

The bookmakers also seem to share my view as the current odds on the fight have the champ at -500 (risk $500 to win $100) while an unlikely win by Holyfield would pay out +250 (risk $100 to win $250).  The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds however the over/under on total rounds has been set at 10.5 instead of the usual 11.5, this would indicate that the handicappers don’t have faith in the fight going the distance.  It would be very probable that Holyfield gets knocked out as I really can’t see him being able to compete with the champ physically, I’m sure hes got it on the mental side of things but will his 45 year old body be able to handle the punishment that this grimey Russian has been dooling out to every opponent hes faced so far. 

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