The action will of course start this weekend, with Manny Pacquiao squaring off against Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao is a huge favorite in the fight, going off at about -1000, while Marquez is at +550.

The draw is at +2500, and that's not necessarily a bad wager, given the extremely close history between these two. The general consensus is that Pacquiao will win this fight because he has improved so much, but don't discount their history and their two previous fights.

In December, a very intriguing rematch will be taking place between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko. Due to the nature of their first fight, a controversial win for Mares, the two are basically even right now, each at between -110 and -125. Agbeko would have won the first fight were it not for terrible refereeing, and Mares's fouls, but something tells me Mares will have the edge this time out as he continues to improve, and as he has youth in his corner.

Another very interesting rematch takes place on the same night, this one between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. Margarito knocked Cotto out in their first fight, but since then he has suffered multiple knockout losses, and been accused of his hand-wrapping scandal, for which he served a one-year suspension. Therefore, the oddsmakers are making Cotto the favorite, at -200, and Margarito the underdog, at +150. The draw here has been set at +2000.

A few weeks later, representing the last major boxing match of 2011, is the Super Six Finals match-up between Andre Ward and Carl Froch. The undefeated Ward is the betting favorite, at -275. Froch is the underdog at +200, and the draw is at +2000. Ward is expected to win, but getting an opportunity to bet on an accomplished, seasoned and dangerous fighter like Froch in his prime at +200 might be too good to pass up on.

Of course, there's also plenty of MMA odds and betting that you can get in on as well. All of the focus is on this weekend's Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos match, which will be televised live, for free, on Fox, but there's a slew of intriguing MMA fights taking place at every level of the game, and even intriguing women's MMA rematches, like this one between Miesha Tate and Sarah Kaufman.

So who will you be favoring, and how will you get involved in the action? There are ample opportunities, tons of big and interesting boxing matches before the end of the year, tons of action in MMA, and more.

Boxing has always drawn plenty of sportsbettors and that's still the case today, as online sportsbooks have brought a whole new crowd of sportsbettors to the table. It took some dedication in the past to bet on sports, as you had to know a bookie in order to bet on boxing but today all you need is a computer and an Internet connection and you're good to go. It only takes a few minutes to set up your online account and you'll have immediate access to boxing lines, slot games online blackjack, craps, and all other kinds of gambling and games.

Many online players sign up for one reason (such as to bet on an upcoming boxing match) only to discover other games they enjoy just as much or more. Many professional poker players got started by playing blackjack or betting on sports, discovering poker almost accidentally while in the casino to play other games. It's also hard to beat the convenience of playing online, as all your favorite games are waiting for you whenever you have a few spare minutes.

New players are also often eligible for generous sign up bonuses at many internet casinos and sportsbetting sites, which can in some cases double or triple your initial deposit. Other perks for online players include reload bonuses as well as weekly promotions, contests, sweepstakes, and raffles. Many online gaming sites also give players loyalty points for your play which can be converted into cash bonuses or merchandise.

So if you're looking for a way to get more involved with betting on the sport of boxing, you can do so while also exploring new gambling and gaming options and having a great time all-around, right from the convenience of your home.

Not everyone will be able to see it though - the $54.95 price tag tends to discourage many people from ordering the big fights, especially in this economic climate. But you can catch the live breakdown, full updates and coverage and more, by checking out available Pacquiao vs. Mosley round by round blogs.

Boxing Equipment 24/7 no longer covers much boxing news, so you may be wondering why we are featuring this fight. It's for a few reasons. First, it's the biggest fight of the year, and that's always fun. Second, Pacquiao is the sport's number 1 pound for pound fighter, and that means that all of his fights need extra attention and coverage. And finally, because there is nothing in the world like watching Pacquiao fight, let alone train. His training is famous around the globe for its intensity, his dedication, and more.

Take a look at this Pacquiao training clip here:

In the video, you'll see Pacquiao doing some sparring, shadow boxing, working the speed bag, using the mitts, and more. It's all pretty amazing to watch.

But when it's fight night and it's time for the real deal, you should check out the live Pacquiao Mosley results online here.

Congrats on the big win…Would you say this was the best performance of your career?

RG: So far, I'd have to say yea. I mean, we had a game plan, I executed it and I did a lot of stuff in there I usually don't do.

So have the doubters officially been silenced?

RG: Yea, officially I think the doubters have been shushed. But there's always somebody out there. So you keep on going and stay working hard.

You had a clear game plan in the fight… you would move in with your jab and throw a couple of shots, push him left and move to your right. How did that come about?

RG: Yea, breaking Klassen down, watching his film, we knew if we circled to the right and worked behind the jab, and always stayed first… it gives him a lot of trouble and that's one of the things watching him fighting right handed fighters. When they did circle to the right, it gave him a lot of trouble. And for left handers to circle to the right it gives a guy even more trouble. So we knew circling him right behind a double, triple jab was gonna give him a lot of trouble.

What did you think of Klassen's performance? Judging from his words he was underestimating you quite a bit…

RG: I think he was ready for an old Robert Guerrero. The Robert Guerrero that likes to sit in there and exchange punches… and just have a war. I think he was thinking that I was gonna come in like that and that's what he trained and prepared for. His game plan was to just come in and just bang me out. We had the perfect game plan for him and from my point of view, and the way I was dictating the fight, he didn't know what to do.

How did the hand injury happen and did you know it as soon as it did?

RG: I hurt it earlier in training and I had to nurse it a little bit. It was feeling good going into the fight, but I never really put any power on it too hard, to really know if it was OK or not. I think it was midway through the fight, I hit him with a, I think it was an uppercut, and I hit him close to the top of the head and I just felt it just like a spring, right away I could feel it. Every time I threw a hard, solid left hand I could feel it a lot. But you know, I kept throwing it and throwing it, and just solid enough to let him know that there was nothing wrong with me and if he came in I was gonna let one go. Part of being in there was having that poker mentality, not letting him know what was going on.

In addition to that you were also dealing with that cut…What were you thinking after the clash of heads and did you think it was intentional at all?

RG: Yea, a lot of times he was just trying to rush in head first and land an overhand right. Most of the time as soon as I would throw a double or triple jab and step off he would come head first and just try to land whatever he could land. To come in darting in with your head first… sometimes it's intentional.

Were you bothered at all by the cut for the rest of the fight or was it something you weren't worried about too much, just sticking to the game plan?

RG: I wasn't worried about the cut at all. I got back to the corner and my corner did a great job being relaxed and not getting crazy. Cut man Ruben Gomez did an excellent job with the cut and it didn't bother me at all. I was able to stay on my game and maintain focus, and stick with my game plan.

You averaged 100 punches per round in the fight and only seemed to slow down a bit or take a rest, around maybe the ninth or tenth round. How much did your training camp in Big Bear help you build up that kind of stamina?

RG:  Man, it made a huge difference being out there in Big Bear training. I didn't even realize I threw that many punches. The rounds that I did slow up, I actually slowed up to stand my ground a little more and blast some body shots in there. Then right away I jumped backed on it, but man, if I would have just stuck on my jab and stayed with what I was doing the whole fight, it would've been a lot more punches.

That's when I was like… wow. Looking back on it on how many punches I threw and how much boxing I did and how much moving I did in the ring… man, it makes a huge difference. Now I know why all champions that have the opportunity to go out there and train, go out there and train.

So I'm guessing that for the next fight you'll be brining your title belt up to Big Bear for another training camp?

RG: For sure. I'm pretty sure I'm probably going to be out there for the rest of my career during my training.

During the fight you could see Shane Mosley getting pretty animated at points from his ringside seat. What was he saying to you and what did sparring with him mean to you?

RG: A lot of times I know he was shouting at me to keep turning, rip uppercuts and work off that jab. But just sparring with him, being in the ring with him… his ring generalship, and all of the experience he has... Like he told me, "I've been boxing longer than since you've been born. And I can teach you a thing or two." And that's what he did and I learned a lot from Shane, not just in boxing but in how to take care of yourself, and how to make sure everything is right going into a fight.

I learned so much from him being in camp and that's what you gotta do, you gotta learn every time you get out to a camp. It was nice to be out there with Shane and learning from him, a veteran and pound for pound one of the best lightweights in boxing history. It was an awesome opportunity.

I know your team tried to get a Juan Diaz bout together prior to this fight and sharing the card with him. What did you think of his performance against Malignaggi and is that a fight you'd still like to pursue now if he returns to lightweight?

RG: I would love to fight Juan Diaz, if he dropped down to lightweight or even if I had to go up I would fight him. Honestly, I didn't get to see the fight, I was in the back getting stitched up. I caught the first couple rounds but after that I didn't get to see the rest of the fight. I saw him start off aggressive and firing a lot of punches, and moving in quick, slipping and sliding. He looked good on the first couple rounds that I saw, but unfortunately I didn't get to see the whole fight. I heard it was a real close fight and it was controversial with some of the judging, but I haven't really gotten to see it.

Obviously you have a lot of healing up and relaxing to do, not to mention celebration I'm sure. Is there any chance we'll be seeing you in the ring again before 2009 is out?

RG: Right now we are gonna play it by ear. I know they are probably working on something already, but I'm going to go tomorrow to get my hand looked at. And I have to give the cut a little bit of time to heal, and make sure I'm 100% before I get in the ring. But for sure, I'm hoping to get back in the ring before the end of 2009.

This win was your third world title, and a championship in a second division. I know this was a goal of yours since you got back in the ring after your layoff. What's the next goal?

RG: Looking towards unifying titles at 130 pounds. Even if I could get another fight at 135 with anybody…I'd love to take that. But I think that's the next thing, to unify titles and I'm excited about that and I'm in the position to do that now.

Is there anybody in particular you're looking to get in there with… obviously there's Linares and Soto and a bunch of guys… or is it whoever is around and steps up?

RG: Hopefully I can get in there with Humberto Soto or Jorge Linares.

Congrats again on the win and thanks for the time.

This interview was conducted by Jake Emen for Pro Boxing Fans, and has also been published on Associated Content.

Rocky Juarez is preparing for his rematch against undefeated featherweight champion Chris John. The fight is scheduled for September 19, on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight. Juarez, 28 (20) – 4 – 1 is looking for a breakout win after coming up short against some of the biggest names in the sport over the last several years.

We're just about a month out from your rematch with Chris John, how's your training going?

RJ: Training is going great man. Basically I never stopped training after he cancelled the previous fight.

So you feel like you'll be in great condition by the time the fight rolls around…

RJ: Oh definitely, and I think everything happens for a reason. For whatever reason he wasn't able to fight the last fight. I'm not one to say because I don't know for sure, but it gave me that much more time to prepare myself for him.

So you think it was an advantage for you to have that fight cancelled?

RJ: Well, I could see it in a lot of ways… But it just benefits me more to prepare for him.

How do you feel in general, with your health and your vision, obviously you had the surgeries a couple of years ago…

RJ: Well my vision isn't 100%, but it's definitely improved since the surgery. I feel like t just gives me a better look (laughs) at where the punches are coming from. I really don't think about it, I don't think about my vision when I'm in the ring.

What are you working on that's going to change the outcome of this fight as compared to the first meeting?

RJ: Well, you know this fight I'm going to be throwing more punches. I'm going to be more prepared. We're working on a certain style, Ronnie [Shields, his trainer] has me doing something specific for the fight. So I just continue doing it during sparring and picturing it working and it should help out come September 19th.

So you have some new tactics for this fight?

RJ: Oh definitely, you always want to fight a different fight, every fight. I know Chris John is going to come out with a different fight, so you have to expect the unexpected.

Did you think a draw was fair in the first fight? I'm sure you've gone back and watched it, how'd you feel about it afterwards?

RJ: I felt, even after watching it, I felt that I had won the beginning of the fight, the beginning rounds of the fight. I knew I had given up, and I said it even after the fight in the interview, when I got cut… it kind of just kept me on the defensive side and I gave up maybe two, three rounds, at least two or three rounds.

I felt that it affected the outcome of the fight. I felt that if I had been not so much worried abut the cut and trying to be cautious and careful to not be hit in the same spot and continued fighting with my game plan I would have definitely come out with the victory in the fight. I think I would have probably even maybe dropped him because he was so out of it at the end of the fight.

Are you more comfortable at featherweight or did you move back down solely for the opportunity to fight John?

RJ: Well, I've been jumping up and down for the last four or five years in my career. Being given the opportunity for the world title, and me being blessed with this many shots at a title, which I feel like I've earned but at the same time I feel very fortunate to be with a great manager like Shelly Finkel who gives me these shots… So I feel comfortable at 126 pounds, but it's a lot easier to make 130 pounds, so either way I'm comfortable.

So you're ready to take any fight that comes at you in either of these classes right now.

RJ: Yea, when I was preparing myself for Chris John in California on the Victor Ortiz card… Chris John backed out and they were trying to find a replacement fighter. I told my promoters I would fight anybody, anybody at 126 pounds or 130 pounds as long as they were a right hander, no southpaws.

There were a lot of critics that came and talked trash about who am I to pick my opponent… but I wasn't picking my opponent, I was just saying no south paws for the fact that I hadn't trained [for that] and it was just four or five days away from the fight. So I had to turn down the money and the fight, not knowing when I was going to fight again. But I felt like I made the right decision and I was very confident. I'm 29 years old, I'm at a point in my career when I have to make the right choices.

Considering that, that you're closing in on 30 and have yet to win a world title, what are your long term plans in the sport? How much longer will you be a professional fighter?

RJ: I feel like once I win a world title man, come September 19th, I've always said to myself that winning a world title is going to make me a better fighter. It's going to make me always stay in shape… and I always am, I'm a gym rat, but it'll give me that little extra edge that I have to keep my title and they're gonna be coming after it. So I feel like once I win a world title I'm going to become a better fighter. Marquez was one of those fighters, it took him about eight, nine years to win a world title but once he became a champion he's been at the top of the game since.

You've mentioned the shots you've gotten… you've fought Marco Antonio Barrera twice, Juan Manuel Marquez and now this will be the second fight against Chris John. What have your fights against that caliber of world class opposition taught you?

RJ: To me it just shows to the fans and to the critics and to everyone that I've never ducked any fighter. Whoever the opponent is I'm willing to fight, just as long as I had time to prepare myself. I don't think I'm a fighter who's a tune up fighter, I don't like to look at myself like a tune up/step up fighter. I've been in this profession for going on nine years and I fought against the best fighters out there.

Barrera I thought I beat him the first team, he beat me the second time. Marquez, I went 12 rounds with an accidental, bad cut from the first round. Now that I think about the Marquez fight, I always wanted to have a rematch with Marquez. I was able to go the 12 rounds, he did beat me but people don't look at the fact that I suffered a bad cut from an accidental head butt, it wasn't a punch. Also, with my vision, having double vision for so long it had a big effect on the results.

After those losses have you ever sat back and thought, maybe I should take a couple of easier fights to build up a winning streak or…

RJ: No, no, no. Not at all man. When I lost the fight against Soto, I wanted a rematch against Soto. He's another big name fighter and he's definitely proven himself after beating me and giving me my first loss. I've always wanted to step in there and fight the best, top fighters. I've been blessed and very fortunate that I've been able to compete against top level fighters. I think fighting the best fighters proves to yourself where you belong. Basically, I'm going to win my world title. Even if that title doesn't happen to come my way, I'm always going to feel fortunate and blessed that I was able to fight the best fighters out there and never ducked anybody.

Staying busier and getting into an offensive groove are always priorities for you during your fights. Can you point to anything in some of those past fights that stopped that from happening once you get into the ring? You mentioned some of the cuts you suffered against John and Marquez for example, but is it a state of mind or is it something you can work on in training or what do you think about that?

RJ: Well I'm at a point in my career when I can't leave nothing behind. This is probably my last opportunity at a world title. I feel like I'm being given this opportunity by Golden Boy Promotions and Chris John as well, and my manger giving me this shot again. I feel like once I win this world title, I can be in the driver's side.

I can fight big name fighters and that's all I've cared to fight, big name fighters. Rafael Marquez is probably going to move up to 126 pounds, so I'm sure there's Mexican fans and boxing fans who'd like to see that, or even Israel Vazquez who I'm sure is probably ready to move up. So whoever, being able to fight big name fighters is something I've always loved doing. A step up to make me go to the gym and it pumps me up and puts a smile on my face when I'm going against these fighters.

So what can we expect to see from Rocky Juarez on September 19?

RJ: I'm going to come out there and one thing I know is I'm going to be throwing bombs and staying active. Chris John is a volume puncher, and I tell people yea he can punch, he can crack a little bit. He's a mover, very slippery but I think the fact that the fight isn't here in my hometown it takes a little bit of pressure away.

Fighting in Vegas on the undercard of a big card like Marquez vs. Mayweather… I've been in that, this ain't my first rodeo. This will be Chris John's second fight in the states, but first on the big show and people are going to be watching. So we'll see how he is going to come out and take it, and like I said this ain't my first time.

Thanks Rocky and good luck with the rematch.

This interview was conducted for Pro Fighting Fans and was also published on Associated Content.

Former lightweight champion Juan " Baby Bull" Diaz, 34 (17) – 2, is finalizing his preparations to meet Paulie Malignaggi, a fight to be televised on HBO on August 22nd. Diaz will be back in Houston, fighting in his hometown for the third straight time. Prior to his first real fight in the junior welterweight division, I spoke to Diaz about his upcoming fight, his career and his future.

We're less than two weeks out from your fight against Paulie Malignaggi, how are you feeling right now?

JD: I'm feeling great. I had a great day of sparring today. I have three guys that came in from out of the state. I'm feeling great and I'm excited to be back here in Houston once again and trying to make it back to the top.

This is your first fight at junior welterweight, at least since you were a newly professional fighter. Were you having trouble making 135 or was this just a matter of taking the best fight that was out there right now?

JD: I wasn't having no problem making the 135 limit, but this was the best fight out there for me. I believe that Paul Malignaggi is not at all taking a step down. I definitely want to fight the best out there even though in my last fight I was not successful, I didn't want to take a tune up fight or a warm up fight. I told my managers, look, I'm young right now, I have all of the energy in the world, so I want to fight the best.

Will you be at 140 permanently from here on out or will you be jumping around if you need to be?

JD: It all depends. I'm looking forward to the fight here in Houston on August 22^nd and it all depends. My biggest dream was to become a world champion. I did it four times, becoming a four time world champion. Now, I want to leave a mark in boxing. Before I leave the sport I want to make sure I leave a mark. I want people to know who Juan Diaz was in the sport. So I'm looking to fight the best guys, whether it's at lightweight or super lightweight it doesn't matter. I can make both weights comfortably.

Your academic pursuits and career aspirations are well known. How much longer can we expect to see Juan Diaz, the professional boxer?

JD: For me as a professional boxer, I believe I would give myself about three or four more years to really concentrate on the sport. Because I'm looking forward to being able to communicate and talk very well with my family… I don't want to be one of those boxers who can't communicate or understand their family members. So I'd say about three or four more years.

Back to the upcoming fight…has your training camp been any different this time around, knowing you don't have to get down to 135?

JD: The good thing I can tell you about is I can eat an extra meal at night… instead of eating cereal or fruit or salad, I can actually eat a full meal. Believe it or not, three and a half pounds actually makes a big difference. Right now I would be around 37 or 38 but instead I'm weighing 141, 142 right now because I don't have to drop those extra few pounds.

A little less hungry at night would go a long way I'm sure…

JD: (Laughs) Definitely, yea.

What do you think about your style will give Malignaggi problems?

JD: I think that my aggressive style is gonna be the key factor to victory. You see, what Paul Malignaggi likes to do is wait around, use his jab and punch and move, punch and move. But the question that is going to be asked and answered that night is can he go for 12 rounds. Because I can fight for 12 rounds, but can he punch and move for 12 rounds? That right there is gonna be the key to my victory.

So how do you see the fight playing out, you think your pressure is going to wear him out as you get to the later rounds?

JD: I believe my pressure, my body punching, is gonna be the key to everything. But I'm not gonna let him take advantage of the early rounds. I know from the beginning he is going to be able to punch and move. But if I let him win the early rounds that may boost up his confidence and confidence can take you a long way. If your confidence is built up by the later rounds he might not get tired. He might decide, hell, I'm winning, I'm not gonna stop whatever it takes.

You started your career 33-0, and now you've lost two of your last three. What does this fight mean for you and your career?

JD: This fight right here, I think I can establish myself as a true super lightweight. I think that this fight can show the fans that I can fight at lightweight or super lightweight and I want to make my mark in boxing and I want to fight the best fighters out there, whether it's at lightweight or super lightweight.

The two guys who defeated you, Nate Campbell and Juan Manuel Marquez have both moved up to junior welterweight as well. Will you be pursuing rematches with them or…

JD: Well, I think, frankly, I think that Nate Campbell's career is almost over. It was a controversial victory for Bradley but in a way I see where Campbell is coming from, he did get head butted. But, he quit. In the end he quit. And a lot of the fans and the TV men don't want to see a quitter in the ring. So I think that Nate Campbell's career is just about done. The main guy I would love to have a rematch with is Marquez. The only thing that still bothers me to this day from that fight is that the referee had to step in and stop the fight. I was knocked out…feelings weren't hurt, I feel great… but my pride as a boxer was hurt. I want to be able to get a shot and redeem myself.

If you get past Malignaggi on August 22nd, what's the plan for the rest of the year?

JD: In the perfect world, my plan would be to get back in the ring before the year ends. It would be great if I could fight the week right before Christmas or early December. But unfortunately that's up to my manager and my promoters and the TV networks, and they have to work that out. So in the perfect world like I said,  I would love to fight one more time again in December, but if it doesn't happen… I guess I'll enjoy the holidays…

…And you won't have to worry so much about what you're eating on Thanksgiving…

JD: (Laughs) Exactly…

Thanks for the time Juan and good luck on the 22nd.

This interview was conducted by Jake Emen for Pro Fighting Fans, and was also published on Associated Content.

Guerrero sparring with Shane Mosley; says Juan Diaz turned down a fight with him

Robert, it's good to talk with you again…

You just got up to Big Bear last week to begin preparations for an August 22^nd battle against Malcolm Klassen for the IBF super featherweight title. How are you feeling at the start of camp?

RG: I feel good, I've been at it for about a week already. I'm getting used to the elevation, it kind of grabbed me there. But I'm getting used to it and it's gonna be good to be out here and getting ready for the fight.

You fought just over a month ago and your upcoming fight will be held basically in 5 weeks from now. That's after a stretch where you only had two rounds of boxing in over a year. How nice is it for you just to be active again?

RG: Oh, I'm pumped about that. That's one of things we talked about with my manager Bob Santos and Shelly Finkel, is keeping busy all the time. There were times when it would be a year and a half, a year, and now to be fighting in a row like this it's a great opportunity to be into it and get sharp.

It's been a long road for you over the last 18 months since you were the IBF featherweight champion, obviously with your wife's illness, the promotional problems and the quick end to your fight with Daud Yordan… but finally your title shot is here. Can you describe what that's like for you?

RG: It's exciting, I'll be going for my third world championship in two weight classes and I'm excited about it. I'm even more excited about this fight to be moving up to super featherweight and fighting for the world championship. I didn't think I was going to get the shot this soon, I thought it would be towards the end of the year. But getting it this next fight, I'm excited about it. It came earlier than I thought and I just can't wait and that's why I'm out here in Big Bear getting ready for the fight and doing everything that's necessary to be ready for it.

After checking out your fight history, it looks like you fought once in Denmark and I believe four times in Florida and everything else has been on the west coast or in the southwest. Do you have a lot of fans in Houston and what do you expect from the crowd that night?

RG:  Yea I have a lot of family out in Texas and they're gonna be there on fight night. I'll be out there as the American fighting for the world championship. It's going to be a hometown crowd and I'm excited about it. It's going to be an exciting fight.

There had been some rumors circulating that you and Juan Diaz were going to be matched up against one another, and obviously now you're on the undercard to his fight against Paulie Malignaggi. Was there any truth to that and if so why did the fight fall apart?

RG: They were trying to make the fight with Juan Diaz for this upcoming August fight. My management team sent the offers and they got turned down. They made the fight with Paul Malignaggi and I don't know too much how that went but we were trying to get the fight with Diaz and they turned it down.

Was that a fight HBO was pushing for?

RG: HBO wanted the fight but it didn't happen.

Well then maybe you two can hook up in the future at some point. I've read that you're planning on doing some sparring with Shane Mosley. Have you sparred with him before?

RG: Yea, I sparred with him the first time I ever came out here. I was actually getting ready for Rocky Juarez. That fight fell out, he ended up fighting Marquez and I fought Martin Honorio. I knocked him out in 56 seconds…

…A bit easier than sparring with Mosley?

RG: (laughs) He was like a turtle compared to Shane. I was on it and I was sharp. So I'm excited to be working with Shane. Shane's on top of his game right now. He's out here and he's going to help me out with this fight. Klassen has quick hands, and I don't think anybody in boxing has quicker hands than Shane Mosley right now, so it's gonna be good for me.

You're both California based fighters, how long have you known Shane?

RG: I've known Shane since, I'd say going on about three years since the first time I came out here was when I met him. Ever since then he's been a gentlemen and always is throwing his tips in there to help me out. One thing about Shane is that he's always there to help.

Who else will you be sparring with for this camp?

RG: We're going to be sparring with another guy, Eloy Perez, who always spars with me and helps me out with the fights and he's also out here. There's one more guy that they're going to be bringing in, he's fighting Luevano for the title at featherweight. [Bernabe Concepion]. He needs left handed sparring so I'm perfect sparring for him, since Luevano is also a tall fighter and a southpaw. [The arrangement hasn't been finalized as of yet]… If it does go through it will work out nice because he's about 5'4", about Klassen's size and I'm Stevie Luevano's size.

You mentioned that Klassen has fast hands, what else can you tell us about him? Most American fight fans haven't seen much of him…

RG: He's tough, like most African fighters are. They keep coming, throw a lot of punches, they're in great shape. And he has fast hands, fast feet, he gets in and out and... I mean, he's a fighter.

He's on a five fight knockout streak and you haven't had a win go to the scorecards in about 7 years. Is it safe to say we will be seeing some fireworks on August 22?

RG: Oh yea. You know how those Africans are, they come to fight. So I know he's coming to fight. It's going to be a good fight and I'm excited about it because I love fighting… I love getting in there and mixing it up. So there's gonna be a lot of fireworks.

What do you think is going to give you the edge in this fight and how do you see it playing out?

RG: Height. Speed. Power. The southpaw stance. I got a big advantage and it's about using it and getting established in the ring.

Would you be disappointed with anything outside of a knockout win?

RG: No, a win is a win and he's a champion. A two time IBF world champion and he's not there for nothing and I know he's coming to fight. Getting the win, whether it goes to the scorecards or it's short, it's always a good win.

It's August 23^rd and you're the new IBF super featherweight champion. What's your dream end to the year following that?

RG: God willing, everything goes great? Shoot for that unification belt. I know there's talks about Jorge Linares and Humberto Soto unifying titles, and the winner out of them… hey, I'd love to unify with them.

I'm sure you have some high altitude hills to run so I won't keep you from your training, thanks for the time and good luck.

RG: No problem, thank you.

This intervew was conducted by Jake Emen for Pro Fighting Fans and was also published on Associated Content.

Congrats on the big win. Most people in the states didn't get a chance to see the fight, so why don't you tell us how it went?

EC: Pretty good, I was supposed to stop him several times in the fight. I knocked him down I think it was twice. Once on a body shot, but he tried to complain of a low blow... it was legal shot but he complained. Then I put him down in the 10^th and subsequently went on to a unanimous decision win. Well it should've been a unanimous but it ended up being a majority because one of the judges gave a draw which was pretty terrible. (Note: despite dominating the fight and receiving 117-109 and 116-111 from two judges, one judge inexplicably had the fight scored a 113-113 draw).

That must have freaked you out there for a second...

EC: Oh yea! I was definitely freaked out, hearing about all of those bad decisions going on in Germany and I was thinking here comes another.

Absolutely...You weighed 208 pounds for the fight, which is essentially the lightest weight of your career and is quite a bit lower than the 220 pound range you've been fighting at more recently. What was the motivation for that and how much credit to your performance do you give to your weight?

EC: The reason for it was obviously to improve on my performance...my foot speed and my overall fighting ability. That had a lot do obviously with the victory but more importantly the focus and determination to drop that weight carried over into the fight. It kept me focused and we had a successful game plan and took care of business.

Is that the weight you plan on coming in at from now on or what's your target weight for the future?

EC: From now on it's going to be that weight or lower, I don't think I want to go too much heavier than that. And I don't even know if I want to go too much lower either...

Too much lower and you're down to cruiserweight!

EC: Right, exactly. And I don't want to be fighting down there. I'd like to mention as well you don't want to fight a championship fight for $25,000. That's a slap in the face to the fighters who are putting their lives on the line. There aren't enough people watching the cruiserweight division and that's why it's going through such a tough time. But I just want to make sure that I'm in shape whatever that weight may be so I can be successful and I'll be strong and tough in there.

It must have been nice to be over there in Germany on July 4^th and getting a win for yourself and the states...

EC: Definitely, it made us feel a little bit better in terms of us going over there to Germany. And in terms of myself being a smaller guy and being able to beat him and take control of the fight and my future in the division I feel really good about that.

You fought Alexander Dimitrenko and he isn't stylistically similar but he is very similar physically (both are in the 6'7" and 250 lb range) to Wladimir Klitschko. How important then was this fight for you to show yourself but also to show the world how you would fare against that class of "super" heavyweight?

EC: It was very important. The guy that controls the division is very similar to the guy I just fought. In his boxing ability, I think Dimitrenko may even be a little more sound than Klitschko, but Klitschko has more strength, more experience and more focus at this point in time which is predicated on victories. It's going to take a lot, honestly a lot of focus and determination and serious, hard work in the gym to really come out with the win over someone who is so used to winning and winning on such an impressive fashion.

The fight was your second fight in Germany, a place where many American fighters hesitate on visiting- for reasons like the scorecard that came up as a draw. But with that experience now would you be willing to face Wladimir there or how do you feel that?

EC: Well he's the world champion and he commands all of the focus and attention. So I'm going to basically have to do almost exactly what they say. Then when I have the control we're gonna do it all in the states. Right now I would love for an opportunity to take on Klitschko in the states, I would love for that opportunity. But I don't think right now that that's where the money and all of the attention is. So they would probably just broadcast it and do it over in Germany.

But the two fights you've had there must give you some added confidence if you have to go back there once again.

EC: Well, hey, I got the confidence now because I know I could win a decision there. And I have the ability to beat anybody, so there you go.

What did you think of Klitschko's outing against Ruslan Chagaev?

EC: I guess it wasn't as fan friendly of a fight as it could have been. But he was dominating, he didn't let the guy inside to touch him at all. And there you go, stopped him again.

Everyone always says the same thing on fighting Klitschko and doing different things, getting in there and working and so on, but they all end up the same way. But now from your perspective what makes you a different fighter and what would you do differently in the ring against Klitschko that would translate into success?

EC: First of all I have a lot more speed than most guys he faced. Better head movement, better overall talent I would think in certain areas that he wouldn't be really, really ready to go up against. I have more talent, I'm faster, I have a lot more power than he would think. So I will surprise him a lot in different areas. And also the strength level, he's not going to be able to stay on the outside with his jab as he has against past opponents.

With all of that said you're not the only guy on Klitschko's radar screen. The guy who handed you your only career loss, Alexander Povetkin, is in line for the IBF mandatory shot. Then there's David Haye who had his fight with Klitschko cancelled due to injury. Considering all of that what are the chances you get to step in there with Wlad some time before the year is out or sometime soon?

EC: It may be a long shot to get him in there before the year is out. But I'm just going to be looking to stay ready and be ready for the long haul and do the waiting game and it will come eventually.

Obviously you just gained mandatory status a few days ago but have your people begun any preliminary talks with Klitschko or anything like that?

EC: Nothing really, there's nothing going on as far as talks. He's obligated to go to Povetkin first and he has those other things going on prior to his last fight with Chagaev. So I'm just happy to be in the position I'm in and I'll just wait in line until it's my turn and take advantage of it.

For the rest of the year then are you just going to stay in the gym or would you consider taking a tune up or stay busy fight in the meantime if Wlad isn't getting in there anytime soon?

EC: Definitely getting in the gym, well I'm already there... but staying in the gym, keep my weight in the right place and try to get a fight going as soon as possible.

You're the top dog in the American heavyweight scene right now. What do you have to say to your fans and what do you think about your status right now as the mandatory for the heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko?

EC: I just want my fans to continue to stay tuned and watch as I make my run for the title. And definitely stay tuned because it was very unlikely for a guy like myself to be in this position. But I've worked very hard and with hard work and focus you can do anything.

Thanks again for the time and congrats on the victory.

This interview was conducted by Jake Emen and has been published on both Associated Content and Pro Fighting Fans.

Your opponent just changed, you're now set to face Efren Hinojosa. What do you know about him?

RG: Um, I have NO clue the style he has or anything. The one good thing I did out in Los Angeles getting ready for this fight is we prepared for a lot of different things. I didn't know too much about (previously scheduled opponent) Johnny Edwards either, so we prepared for a bunch of different styles.

You're just a few days out, what have your final preparations been like?

RG: Final preparations are just maintaining and staying hard, just getting zoned in and focused, making sure everything's sharp. Working pads and letting my whole body heal up.

In the last 15 months you've only been in the ring for a total of 2 rounds.  Do you feel like there's any rust at this point or do you have any other concerns with your body right now?

RG: I don't feel like there's any rust at all. Having good sparring, always staying active in the gym and not getting out of shape keeps you on top of it. And we're going to be ready and I don't feel no regrets or anything.

You mentioned you've been getting good sparring...who have you been sparring with during this training camp?

RG: I've been sparring with a guy, Art Hovhannesyan, he's an Armenian guy and a real tough guy. He was one of the sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao and he was sharp on the left handed stance already so it helped me out a lot, him doing rounds with Manny. He brought a lot of game to the table for sparring. And then also,another prospect that's on the undercard of the fight, Eloy Perez, helped me out a lot.

You get the opportunity to fight once again out of San Jose, are there added expectations this time out?

RG: I'm excited to come back and fight in San Jose again in front of the hometown crowd. You know... last time out it was unfortunate... the fight only went two rounds and they didn't get the show they deserved. I'm coming ready to fight and put on a show for them and I'm excited about it.

I'm sure you're sick of talking about that last fight (a No Contest due to a cut over his eye in the 1^st round), but maybe you could describe the injury and how frustrating that was for you...

RG: It was real frustrating... it was a bad cut, bad location. It was frustrating that I didn't get a chance to work. I didn't really get to go to work and put in the rounds and put up a good fight for the crowd. It was just unfortunate and you just gotta bounce back and be ready for the next one.

How long did the cut prevent you from seriously training?

RG: It was 23 stitches... I had to take a good month off and let it heal up and put no stress on it. It's all good now...I'm excited and I'm ready to go.

Are you viewing this fight as just another fight or are you viewing it as a major chance to really vault yourself back into the picture and maybe even shut people up a bit?

RG: Oh yea, there's a lot to prove and a lot of doubters to prove wrong. I'm going to come out and do what I've been doing for my whole career and since I've been a kid. Just come out and fight and do what I do best.

What's next after this fight?

RG: Right now I'm just concerned about this fight and getting this taken care of first.

So what do you think about Juan Manuel Marquez, a guy who until recently was at your weight class, taking on Floyd Mayweather?

RG: I think it's going to be a good fight, you know Marquez is on his game right now and his last two performances have been incredible with Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor. He's on top of it right now, he brings a lot to the table. He's a physical fighter and a technical boxer. He picks guys apart and I think he's going to put up a good fight with Floyd Mayweather and it all depends on how Floyd comes out of retirement and how he's looking. But the one thing about him is he's always in shape and always on top of it.

Any prediction?

RG: Just going to be a fan on that and just watch and see how the outcome comes out. It's going to be a good fight.

Thanks for the time and good luck on Friday.

Nothing can be taken away from Pacquiao's performance this time. There was no old legend that had to cut more weight than he was accustomed to. What stood in Pacquiao's way was the reigning junior welterweight champion. A fighter renowned for his strength and his power. And he was completely outmatched against the pound for pound king.

Both men were oozing confidence prior to the match. As Hatton strutted out to the ring, the look of pure concentration and focus, Pacquiao followed as happily and cheerfully as one could be. That demeanor quickly changed when the opening bell sounded.

While Pacquiao was supposed to have a hand and foot speed advantage, it was much more overwhelming than anyone could have imagined. Hatton got a hold of the quick Pacquiao a few times to try to rough him up on the inside. But Pacquiao was by and large able to dart in and out and launch his own combinations.

The trouble started for Hatton when Pacquiao launched a lead right hook. The punch met a completely unguarded and open Hatton, who spun around to the canvas. Hatton composed himself and got up to continue the fight.

However, he was now facing the whirlwind storm of a full force Manny Pacquiao attack. This time it was his signature punch, a straight left hand, that sent him down. The lighting quick straight left burst through Hatton's guard and landed on his forehead, sending him down for the second time in the round.

In between the first and second rounds, Hatton sat in his corner with a look of complete astonishment. Who could blame him? He was just hit by a truck and didn't even see it coming, and he had to go back out there to get hit by the truck again.

Hatton only lasted until the end of that second stanza. Pacquiao leveled him this time with a left hook that left Hatton straightened and belly up on the canvas. There would be no count necessary, the semi conscious Hatton would lay there on the canvas for several minutes.

It was a fantastic performance for Pacquiao. And now boxing fans can await an even larger event. Floyd Mayweather has made his return to the ring official, and his stated purpose is to prove that he's still the pound for pound best.

In July he will face off against Juan Manuel Marquez, the fighter who has given Pacquiao so much trouble in the past. It is no coincidence that Mayweather chose Marquez, he's looking to gauge his skills in preparation for a massive fight against the Filipino icon.

Pacquiao did his part by besting Hatton, and doing it in a fashion to belittle the accomplishment of Mayweather, who needed ten rounds to do the same job. Now Mayweather must take care of Marquez so that boxing fans can have the match of their dreams, the last two pound for pound kings, as different in the ring and out of the ring as they can be, putting it all on the line to finally settle the question of who's better.

The beautiful thing about a fight, however, is that come fight night all of the hype can be put aside. There's no more time for life stories and goals. No more time for big mouthed trainers. It's just two men staring each other down in that ring. The better man will almost always emerge.

Meet the Combatants

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

Height: 5'7" Reach: 67"

48 (36) - 3 - 2

Recognized Number 1 Pound for Pound

Best Wins: KO3 & TKO10 Erik Morales; TKO11 & UD Marco Antonio Barrera), SD Juan Manuel Marquez, TKO8 Oscar De La Hoya

Last 5 fights: 5-0, 3 knockouts, spanning 3 weight classes

Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton

Height: 5'7" Reach: 65"

45 (32) - 1

Recognized Junior Welterweight Champion

Best Wins: TKO11 Kostya Tszyu; KO4 Jose Luis Castillo; TKO11 Paulie Malignaggi

Last 5 fights: 4 -1, 2 knockouts, spanning 2 weight classes

Pacquiao vs. Hatton Preview

Manny Pacquiao is the dynamo. He has been storming up through the weight classes and toppling every foe he faces. Ricky Hatton is the rebounding champion looking for redemption. He has fought one pound for pound champion before and he got knocked out. He has a chance to fix that stain on his record. How will this fight between respected champions play out?

Going into his fight with Oscar De La Hoya, many people were counting Manny Pacquiao out. He had only had one fight above 130 pounds in his career, and that was a stoppage win over the dreadfully overmatched titleholder David Diaz. Meanwhile, De La Hoya had been taking on middleweights and junior middleweights for a decade.

Ultimately, that would his downfall as he drained himself cutting weight and was but a shadow of himself on fight night. Regardless, Pacquiao put on an overwhelming show, beating Oscar to the punch and beating him up, out of the fight and out of the boxing world for good.

It's easy to forget after that performance that it was but a year ago when the majority of people who saw the fight felt that fellow 130 pound fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez, out-boxed Pacquiao to an easy decision win only to have the decision be handed to the thrilling, action brawler.

Could it be possible that a win over an aged and weight drained De La Hoya has left the world overestimating the abilities and capabilities of Manny Pacquiao? Surely he can't keep on moving up in weight and taking out champions indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton is the underdog in a fight despite being the recognized number one man in the division. His move up to welterweight was a failed venture. He had a scare against Luis Collazo and then was knocked out by then pound for pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr. Since, he looked less than stellar in beating Juan Lazcano before regaining some form en route to stopping Paulie Malignaggi last November.

The two men share a common weakness: slick, counterpunching boxers. Pacquiao met his in Juan Manuel Marquez and Hatton his in Floyd Mayweather. Neither faces such a problem in one another. So how will their styles clash?

Both fleet of foot and both packing power, their styles are still contrasting. Pacquiao, the southpaw, focuses on throwing his right jab followed by his thunderous straight left. Hatton throws quick half-jabs before jumping inside to throw hooks to the body. Hatton, also a dedicated clincher and mauler on the inside, holds after he throws punches to stymie his opponents' counterpunching.

That brings us to the first major question of the fight, will Hatton able to catch Pacquiao and hold onto him, throwing him off his game? Or will Pacquiao be able to dart in and out as he did against De La Hoya?

The second major question in the fight is how each man will cope with the other's power. Pacquiao will be facing a legitimately hard punching junior welterweight, something he has never seen before. While Pacquiao's power may not be as daunting as Kostya Tszyu's, it combines with his speed to make his punches an altogether different and more dangerous weapon set for Hatton to face as well.

Pacquiao vs. Hatton Prediction

Expect the early rounds to see Pacquiao jumping in and landing a few good 1-2 combinations. He will attempt some flurries but will miss a good deal of the shots, although the crowd will think otherwise. Hatton will have some success, missing most of his powerful body punches but getting a hold of Pacquiao enough to make the rounds close.

As Pacquiao picks up his pace after three or four rounds, he will begin opening up his repertoire of punches beyond his standard jab-left combo. Incorporating his uppercut will prove to be a decisive factor, as Hatton's leaps inside will leave him vulnerable to Pacquiao's powerful and quick shots.

Hatton's hopes rest on his ability to land a game changer. Either a thudding left hook to the body or head could leave Pacquiao reeling. Unfortunately for Hatton, Pacquiao fights hardest when in trouble, and Hatton would not want to see a wounded, fire breathing, 20-punch-at-a-time throwing Manny Pacquiao.

By round 5 or 6, Hatton will begin to cut and bruise. The round by round accumulation of punishment will start to slow him down. Powered on by his rowdy, chanting group of traveling supporters he will still prove to be dangerous, never giving up. However, the damage will eventually build up to an insurmountable degree.

After soldiering on through rounds of punishment, landing only minimal punches, the ref, or the corner, will step in to save Hatton in round 10.

Pacquiao TKO10 Hatton

Next up for Manny Pacquiao should hopefully be a monster of a fight against Floyd Mayweather. The fight would be a dream contest of opposing styles featuring the last two pound for pound champions. Be sure to catch the Pacquiao Hatton fight on May 2nd to see what happens.

How is training going for the fight? It's just a few weeks away now, so you must be close to top form.

EC: It's going great, I just worked out today with Javier Mora, so it's good. I've been stepping up and having a few more guys come in to see where I'm at and what we can do.

Peter is a big guy; he'll likely weigh at least 30 pounds more than you on fight night. What are you doing to prepare for that? I know you said you have Mora in there in camp...

EC: I'm trying to get guys similar to what Peter brings to the table in terms of weight and style and Javier Mora fits that mold. And we're also trying to bring in a good boxer as well just to get used to sharp punches. You never know what's going to come your way, so we're also going to have Malik Scott and another guy, Manny Quezada.

It's a great style match up, he's known as a heavy puncher and you're known as a good boxer and you have a good job... what's your strategy for the fight?

EC: Just that, not to allow him to lay close and... well, not even so much lay close because he's the kind of guy that needs a little space to punch actually. But not to let him get into a comfortable position where he could wing shots and hopefully, for him, land a shot. I want him to remember all the negatives with his fights in the past with the Klitschko fights, where he could not really get a good rhythm. I'm going to land my jab, move to the side, give him angles and things like that, all of the basic things.

Did you watch any tape of the first Toney fight in respect to how he handled Peter?

EC: A lot of what James did in that first fight is a lot of what you can do, but Toney has a specific set of skills. I'm not saying I'm that slick or even slicker, I'm saying I can do things I can do well, like giving angles... and there's a few things I picked up from what James did in that fight that should work and give me the upper hand.

How do you think the fight is going to play out? Will you be coming out strong or will you feel him out for a few rounds and see what develops?

EC: I think a little bit of both, but I want to get out early. I don't want him to get up in confidence and land any big shots or anything that is going to get anyone too excited about what he's doing, especially himself. So I want to make sure I'm out of the gates fast and get to work early. That way I'll make him think it's going to be a long night, and I'll give him a lot to think about. I don't want him to come in there recklessly and do what he best which is wing shots and land them and get a lucky shot. I don't want him to think it's even possible. I want him to have a terrible night and I want to start early.

Do you think this will be the toughest fight of your career?

EC: Toughest fight? Possibly, yes. But looking at the Povetkin fight, that was a fight that I made tough. In these situations it's all about me, it's all about what I do. Anytime you get in there with a guy and you have superior ability, it's all about what you do. If you get there and languish on the inside - although again, not necessarily with him because he wants to be in punching range - but if you just lay around and stay in front of him and let him get those wide shots going, I'm going to make it a hard fight for me.

But if I give him angles and put my jab in his face and give him something to think about constantly, it's going to be an easy night. So it's up to me really what this fight is going to be. But you never know, you can come out there and been in the gym working and practicing and possibly come out with a heck of a game plan and then forget it and make it a tough fight anyway. So you have to be prepared for everything.

You mentioned the Povetkin fight, your only loss. It seemed to be a fight that you could have won, you seemed to be control in the first half of the fight. What happened there in the second half of the fight and would you do anything different if you had the chance looking back now?

EC: Definitely in the Povetkin fight it was all up to me, and like I said, the same thing in this fight. It's all there for the taking. I'm not saying Peter isn't a quality guy, because everyone knows he's been a heavyweight champion so you can't discredit him with that. But looking at the Alexander Povetkin fight, it was a situation where I had the fight under control and all I had to do was continue. Pick my shots a little bit, box, keep him at bay and do a lot of the things that I should be able to do in this fight.

And I chose to, you know, bull crap, and just because I had the fight under control and had a few rounds in the bag. You never know what the judges are thinking and not only that, you can not let up. If you want to be great you have to do great things and close the show, and I just didn't do that. Mental issues... you get that overconfidence, you don't think you can be beat. Even though I'm not the kind of guy that gets overconfident or thinks he can't be beat, but you get into a situation where you have everything under control and you think it's impossible for you to lose and then bam, what happens?  You lose. And that really brings you have down to reality.

Well it seems like you learned a lesson from that fight and if nothing else you'll be a better fighter for it. Where does a win against Peter place you in the division? After that is a title shot next or where will you stand?

EC: Well that's the idea. Peter has won the heavyweight championship of the world and being that he just lost it that has to be fresh in his mind. He still believes he deserves that belt, I mean, that was his belt. So if I go out there and beat a guy who now should be just as hungry as ever - or maybe, it depends on his mind and maybe he's lost confidence or lost his swing, you never know - but he should be coming out with the heart of a champion and thinking that hey it's time for me to really step this thing up and get my belt back. So if I beat him that should put me in a position where I want to be. And that's for a shot at the heavyweight championship of the world. Hopefully live my dream and be heavyweight champion.

Which of the titleholders would you like to go after? Or is it just however the ABC's line it up for you?

EC: Hey, I don't care what titlist they put in front me, I'm going directly at him... honestly I have no pick. They are all gonna be tough fights, they're all big, strong guys. They've been champions in years past or for a number of years now. It's just a matter of staying prepared for them.

What do you think of the other American heavyweight prospects, guys like Chris Arreola, Kevin Johnson and Travis Kauffman? How do you think you stack up against them?

EC: Well of course I think I stack up well. I have experience and I'm a young guy, even if I'm not as young as all those guys. They're all great prospects and that's why I think heavyweight boxing is in good hands with the American heavyweights. I just think they have to show what they have and step up and be well prepared. Chris Arreola is on his way to a title shot in the future. He has a hazardous fight with McCline coming up and he has a legitimate shot at a title.

And with Travis Kauffman... Malik Scott, all the heavyweight's coming up... Chazz Witherspoon, even though he lost to Arreola, these are all quality heavyweight fighters. If they can find their niche then they can find their way to their title. I do believe that American boxing - American heavyweight boxing in particular - is going to come back and be dominant again. But it's going to take some serious soul searching for these guys coming up to really push the envelope and hopefully get a title. Hopefully we can all get one.

Obviously American boxing fans are clamoring for an American heavyweight to be back on top of the division. Do you think you'll meet any of those guys in the ring? Is there a friendly rivalry at all with any of them or is there trash talk going on between you guys....

EC: You know it's all good things, and like I said Malik is helping me get ready for my fight right now and even though he's not the style of the guy I'm fighting, it's another look. Guys like Javier Mora and Manny Quezada, Chazz, Kevin Johsnon, all of these guys like I said are quality. And there's nothing bad there, and honesty, I would want to fight them in the future because I would want them to have belts as well as me have a belt, and put American heavyweight boxing back to where it used to be.

What do you think about the Klitschko/Haye fight coming up?

EC: I just want to see it. David Haye has been talking a great game and put himself in the best position he could be. He's only had one heavyweight fight and he already has a title shot. So you have to give him a lot of credit for running his mouth, he's done the greatest job he possibly can.

Will Klitschko have a bit too much for him and make him regret what he's been running his mouth about?

EC: Now it's put up or shut up, you have your shot. You talked all the talk let's see what you really got. You gotta see if you got anything and if you do, show it. We'll see. Klitschko will have the opportunity, let's just say that.

Well, that will be an early night either way...

EC: Ha, well that's quite obvious. I mean we've seen David Haye take shots at cruiserweight and he's not very good at it! But I mean hey, let's not just say that... he can throw a punch so if he catches Klitschko, you never know. They've both been down and they've both been stopped. Definitely a fight you don't want to go to the refrigerator for. I'm just eager to see it.

Well I think we're eager to see your fight as well. Any closing thoughts about your fight or anything else you'd like to say?

EC: I think it's going to be a great fight and I think the fans are the winners in this fight. I'm not a runner; Peter's definitely not a runner. I'm more of a boxer puncher and he's a puncher, so it's a style I think the fans want. ESPN2 is showing it and it could have easily been an HBO fight. But I'm glad ESPN2 is picking it up and I'm glad that everyone can see it and it's free. Hopefully we get a good crowd and get some people interested in heavyweight boxing.

Thanks for the time Eddie.

EC: Hey, thanks for putting me on.

Interview by Jake Emen

Credit: Ed Mulholland

Steve "USS" Cunningham, 21 (11) - 2, has been biding his time since his loss to Tomasz Adamek, waiting for a chance at a rematch. After Adamek quickly lined up Jonathon Banks as his next opponent - and knocked him out - Cunningham now has his next fight scheduled as well. On Saturday, April 18, Cunningham will take on former cruiserweight champion Wayne "Big Truck" Braithwaite. USS also talks about his time in the Navy, and shares some words he has for the boxing judging system.

There have been some rumors, but has your next fight been made official yet?

SC: Yea, as far as we know the contract has been signed by both of us.

Are you already back in training right now? I know you just got back from a run.

SC: Yea I just got back from running. I'm always training. I'm always in shape, it's my job and I treat it like that.

How do you feel about taking on Big Truck, another former cruiserweight champion like yourself?

SC: It's a real good fight for me. A fight we can win. Of course, I want to win and I want to look impressive. And man, just win. It's one of those must win, gotta win fights.

Any predictions, will the fight go the distance?

SC: I don't really get into predicting. If I see the opening I'm going after it. We're gonna try to make it go early but if not we'll be content with the unanimous decision.

Yea well a unanimous decision must sound nice. You've only lost twice in your career, and both times have been split decisions. Has that been tough for you, coming up close both times you lost?

SC: Well, the first loss was really a very disputed and controversial loss. Everybody who saw the fight really knows who won, and knows the circumstances with me being overseas and all of that. But that type of stuff doesn't go next to the loss on your record. When somebody looks at it in the future they're just gonna see the loss. With this Adamek loss, I totally felt that I won. It should have been nothing less than a draw. Even with the three knock downs, I don't think he won any rounds outside of those rounds. And even a couple of the knockdown rounds I don't think he won them. But that's the kind of thing you have to deal with. With those judges man...

What, not a fan of the judges these days?

SC: I have a few words for those judges man. You have all these crazy, controversial numbers with the Collazo-Berto fight, my fight, a few other fights in the past six months. Something needs to be done about these judges making these outrageous scores. Either they need to be trained better or... well, personally I think you shouldn't be a judge unless you fought professionally in the ring. That's what I personally believe.

Not a bad idea. On one hand you'll get a guy with a knowledgeable perspective on the fight and on the other hand you'll get another good outlet for retired boxers done with their time in the ring.

SC: I totally believe that and don't get me wrong, I've met and ran into some judges who haven't fought and they understand boxing. But I think that more boxers should have the opportunity. I think the doors should be open a little more for them to come in and be able to be judges.

So, you were rooting for Adamek against Banks, correct?

SC: Yea of course. I was carrying a little Polish flag there, and I was rooting for him to win.

You want to make sure you're the one to dethrone him...

SC: Exactly. I totally feel, as have other people who have gotten in contact with me... that he knows what time it is with the rematch. They squeaked by, and they know the rematch is super dangerous, so of course they don't want to take it. I mean, I wouldn't take it if I was smart. If I was a manager or a promoter I wouldn't want my guy to fight Steve Cunningham again after that performance.

U.S. audiences haven't seen too much of you, but you definitely made a big splash with the last fight. What was it like to be fighting in the states again and have you been receiving more recognition around town?

SC: Yea a lot more recognition. Whenever you fight on television - in America that is - people stop and recognize you and notice you. And I've been getting a lot of love at the fights. I go to a lot of fights and we're going to the fights at the Blue Horizon tomorrow night. A lot of people are running up to me and telling me I had that fight. And that keeps me up and lets me know that I'm not the only crazy one who thought I won.

And even though your last fight was in Newark, a close drive from Philly, it seems like you were in Poland west. What was that atmosphere like?

SC: Truthfully, the fight wasn't really promoted good down here in Philadelphia for my fan base to even try and materialize at the fight. Most of the people that were there were fans I had from New York and New Jersey, and just a few fans from Philly. A lot of people here in Philly didn't know about the fight. But the fight was promoted big time in Jersey and New York for the Polish fan base, because you know, the promoters want to fill the seats. With me fighting overseas the last three times in a row a lot of people didn't know me. But I bet you they know me now.

They definitely do. How important is it for you to get back to Philly and try to get a fight there sometime soon?

SC: Well, what me and my wife have come to realize, and she's my manager, is that my fan base isn't going to be in Philadelphia. I was born and raised here in Philly, but I didn't start boxing in Philadelphia. I started boxing when I joined the Navy, and I just visited my old ship, the USS Enterprise, last month and we were ecstatic. They rolled the red carpet out for me and I had a lot of sailors come up to me and congratulate me, for doing something else and showing people that the Navy is tough and all of that. So we've been talking to my promoter about getting a fight down at the Navy base down in Virginia where I originally started boxing, and possibly on the aircraft carrier.

That'd be an event, were you stationed down near Virginia Beach?

SC: I was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia for about three years and then I was stationed with the Navy boxing team in Oxnard, California near Port Hueneme. So my fan base is the United States Navy and the United States military. So we're really going to try to tap into that fan base and give those guys a show in the coming years.

Well they deserve it. I know you're still clamoring for it but will the Adamek rematch be next or what's in store for the rest of the year?

SC: Yea, exactly, that's the goal. That's my goal and however God wants it, I have to follow God's will. And yea that's what we want, and we're praying for that. I hear that he and Bernard Hopkins are scheduling a fight, but either way, however it works out, my motto for 2009 is 'two times in 09.'

Two times in 09, sounds good. Any other closing thoughts Steve?

SC: Yea, two times in 09... and I plan to be world champion again.

I appreciate the time Steve.

Interview by Jake Emen

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero

I got the chance to speak with Robert Guerrero, two-time IBF featherweight champion about his upcoming fight against Daud Cino Yordan (23-0, 17 KOs) of Indonesia, fighting on HBO in his home town of San Jose and how it feels to be back in action.

How was the Sharks game the other night? (Robert was a guest at HP Pavilion for the Sharks-Kings game on February 19)

RG: It was nice. It was a good game, we had a good time out there.

It must be great to be in front of the fans and obviously you are going to be fighting in San Jose coming up. What does that mean to you to be fighting in front of your hometown fans?

RG: It means a lot, I've been wanting to fight in San Jose for a long time, and the fans want me to fight out here. The event is going to be huge. It's going to be an HBO fight, first time ever that HBO has been to San Jose. It's going to be awesome and I can't wait. I know everybody's excited. It's what the Bay Area needs, big fights.

I know you also have your own blog, you have a MySpace page. How is it getting to interact with the fans directly like that?

RG: The fans are always there for me, with support... they support me a lot. Not just in boxing, but with the situation with my wife and everything. So you have to take the time for the fans.

Do you read any other athlete's blogs or do you have any websites you try to stay up to date with?

RG: Yea I visit Fightnews and Maxboxing a lot, and just try to keep up on what's going on with boxing.

So anyway, getting to the fight, it was great to see you back in the ring last month. I know you must be excited with it getting close to fight time, so how are you feeling and how is training going?

RG: I'm feeling great, my body is feeling great. The nice thing is after the last fight I came out of there in 43 seconds and didn't get injured, no soreness or anything. So I was able to take a couple of days off and jump right back in, and not have to worry about getting into shape and just working on what I need to do for this fight.

A lack of rounds has to be somewhat of a concern for you though, you've only gotten 1 round of action in the last year. Have you been doing anything different in camp to help with that or have you been sparring more or anything?

RG: Just keeping the sparring at a certain amount and making sure I'm in great shape. The one thing is you don't want to overwork for a fight, and having the lack of rounds you don't want to think you need to train harder, because then you'll burn yourself out. So it's touchy, it's a touchy situation. That's where your experience comes in.

What do you know about your opponent, have you seen any tapes of him?

RG: Yea I've seen some tapes of him, I saw his last fight which was actually here in the United States (Note: Yordan has fought once more since then). He's a good, sharp fighter. Good counter puncher, moves good. So we're working up a game plan to take advantage of his style. He's a solid fighter.

You're also up at super featherweight now, how does your body feel at 130 lbs?

RG: Oh, it feels great! Real strong, real strong! It's a huge difference. I feel stronger, faster. I'm happy and I'm happy making this move to 130 lbs.

After this fight do you think you'll be ready for some of the big names at 130 lbs and a possible title shot? Or do you think you'll need a few more step up fights?

RG: I'm hoping to get a title fight after this fight, but if not then by the end of the year. I'm excited about that and with Golden Boy I'll be able to take advantage of that.

Obviously your promotional situation was a big hassle for you and it kept you out of the ring (a dispute with his former promoter kept him out of the ring for almost a year). How does it feel to be with Golden Boy right now and to have that whole situation squared away?

RG: I'm happy, happy to be with Golden Boy. It's a big weight off my shoulders. When you're working with Golden Boy they make you feel like family, it's like a big happy family, and I couldn't be happier right now.

Do you have anybody in particular your eyeing? Rocky Juarez is at 130 and you've had a fight cancelled with him in the past. There are other guys like Jorge Linares or Humberto Soto... Yuriorkis Gamboa is around that weight. Anybody you'd really like to step in there with?

RG: With the best! All of those names are top fighters in this division and that's who I want to be in with. I'm not picky about who I'm going to fight, it's just about getting those fights. I'm excited that I'm going to have the opportunity to get those fights, and they'll be there. I just can't wait. Whoever it is... whether it's Soto or Gamboa or somebody up there that's ready to go, I'm excited and I'll be ready.

Would you consider moving up to 135 lbs for a big fight with somebody like Juan Manuel Marquez or Juan Diaz or anybody like that?

RG: Oh yea, in a heart beat. I'd love to get up to 135 and challenge one of the top fighters there.

So from 130 to 135 you're taking all comers.

RG: Oh yea!

Lastly and most importantly, you've announced that your wife's cancer is in remission, which is great news. How is she feeling and how is the family?

RG: She's feeling good, the family is doing great. It's always rough and tough when you have a family member that's sick. Especially with boxing and all of the focus needed and all the time you have to put in the gym. It's really a balancing act and everything has to be balanced perfectly. It's been tough, but we've been doing it.

I appreciate the time and wish you and your family the best, and good luck in your upcoming bout.

RG: Thank you.

The Guerrero-Yordan fight will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark on Saturday, March 7th from San Jose, California.

With a win, Guerrero can set himself up for a title shot against one of the big names in the division, and could emerge as a pound for pound top 10 candidate.

Interview by Jake Emen