Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing

Boxing Experts Blog

Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

Boxing's struggle for stars: Watch Hatton and Pac while you can

By Steve Cofield

The sport is scuffling to make up for lost time. Too often boxing promotions used  aging stars like Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the only centerpieces of big fights from 2004-2007. That meant little play for oustanding youngsters like Chad Dawson and Paul Williams. No problem, right? Now Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, both 30, can be the stars of the next five years. Wrong, or at least those are the signs being put forth by both of the fighters. Pacman's trainer Freddie Roach said there's only a fights left that are worth the Filipino's time:

"I would like to see Manny fight two more times after Hatton" Roach said. "I’d like to see him fight Marquez one more time because everybody wants to see that fight. That would be a great fight. And of course Floyd Jr. is talking about coming back. That’s definitely a possibility. If Shane Mosley wants to come down a little bit in weight, that’s a possibility."

Pacquiao has long had his hands in different endeavors like music, basketball, charity and politics, during his downtime in the Philippines between fights. Hatton has plenty of money and is looking to transition soon to the world of promoting. So both guys should be good for at least a few more megafights over the next 18 months, then what?

The huge money being hauled in by boxing's mega-stars is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is a reason to stay around. But when it approaches $25-30 million a fight, fighters in their early 30's may be convinced to hang it up before the suffer any longterm damage. That said, outside of Floyd Jr. and Lennox Lewis, there is no track records of even the highest earners being to walk away early. We'll see if Hatton and Pacquiao can easily be pulled away from the ring.

Listen here after the big fight on Saturday night. Starting at 1 a.m. ET, Cofield will host the ESPNRadio1100/Yahoo! Sports postfight show from the media center.

digg delicious
more

27 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. jo_nash16
    1. Posted by jo_nash16 Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    im a real boxing fan from the Philippines, lot of rumors scattered in the country, its for real, pacman is planning to retire after 2 or 3 big fights and continue his political ambition to run for congressman for 2010 elections in the phils., this is his vision to give hand to his poor countrymen and lift them to poverty. This is sad to boxing fans. Maybe cofield was right watching the big stars while we can, hope im wrong.....
  2. omega
    2. Posted by omega Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:28 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The only people who would take offense from my comments are those who have the mentality of a baby. I don't care if someone is trying to bash a favorite sport or athlete of mine. It's his opinion and he has the right to do so.
    Unfortunately, guys like nutcracker (the internet toughie/geek who still refuses to meet me in Bali for his proposed sparring match) and july firehouse (a big whining baby and an easily offended blogger) can't see through that. I don't want to stoop to these guy's pathetic levels. I'll continue to post my comments and opinions regardless of what you think. And I'm no Cofield supporter. LOL! =D
    And MMA is far far far far far far far more exciting and far far far far far far far far more realistic than Boxing. And that's the truth! (^^,
  3. omega
    3. Posted by omega Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:29 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Oh and I'm a huge PACMAN so no way I'm going to miss this fight. (^^,
  4. omega
    4. Posted by omega Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:31 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I mean I'm a huge Pacman fan. And he long with JMM and Shane Mosley are the last true warriors of Boxing. Gayweather is not even in their league. (^^,
  5. nel
    5. Posted by nel Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    speed and power of pacquiao will let hatton learn that pacquiao's ability in boxing is a solid characteristics of a true and brave fighter and will let hatton kneedown.Go pacman!!!go!!
  6. Lee B
    6. Posted by Lee B Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    ...... bobbing along , singing a song , walking to the Hatton wonderland. Any of you guys heard of Rustico Torrecampo .. take a look on the net & put your money on wisely.. . . this fighter was like a small Hatton. Bye bye Manny
  7. Bill
    7. Posted by Bill Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ive been lookin forward to this fight for awhile, lets go hatton
  8. Jhune F
    8. Posted by Jhune F Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Mannnyy/........manny!!!! Filipinos, Americans (black & white) and Latinos are all for PACMAN. No one wants to bet!!!!! Well Manny makes us proud! You deserved everything. With your God fearing personality and love with the people, you being humble. That's what makes you a better fighter than those boxer who just fight with their mouth. Watch on SAT, you will see manny will unleased it's God given talent. ..... To humble those who have too much pride about themselves. Go MANNY! We are all excited. For Filipino's here in the US its BBQ time with friends.
  9. Sitting Bull
    9. Posted by Sitting Bull Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cofield ur A MORON! Struggling for stars? As one star goes away another 1 appears CLOWN. Victor Ortiz,P Williams,C Arreola,C Dawson,A Angulo,D Jacobs,E Valero,JM Lopez anyone one of these few could be stars and it's possible right not Boxing next big thing is an un heard of fighter right now. Go write about MMA and stay away from the sweet science.
  10. Lee B
    10. Posted by Lee B Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The whole UK is buzzing with this , more even than with Floyd v Ricky ... both fighters love each other. . . this is what boxing has been waiting for. 2 fantastic geezers going for broke . Aint that what its like in every country at the moment with this money thing .. a bunch of guys trying to survive. These 2 are the arrowhead of our frustration and rage ... and they are just like us , regular guys. Lets just hope they are both cool at the end and we can all be talking of the fight of the year. Go Ricky , go Manny , we love you both.
  11. Steven K
    11. Posted by Steven K Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    "bumaye manny bumaye" dance like a butterfly sting like a bee
  12. jason b
    12. Posted by jason b Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Nuttcracker and firehouse have lost there fu**ing minds!! Jesus! you guys are complete idiots. I dont know much about the guy who wrote this article but from an unbias position you guys sound like fu**ing idiots! Yes this is a bug fight and I am finally going to be able to watch a boxing match again.....BUT it has been a long time since I have actually wanted to watch boxing.... mayweather seems to be the only big name out there and he seems to be the most BOOOOOOOOOOORING of them ALL!! I cant believe people still pay good money to watch boxing..... BOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!
  13. projectmantis24
    13. Posted by projectmantis24 Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    julyfirehorse-
    I never post, and I'll never be back to this message board since I have a life, but I have to make an exception here to let you know that people like you are the reason abortion will never be illegal. The more people like you we can stop from entering this world, the better.
    Your mother should've done us all a favor and swallowed you when she had the chance.
  14. jabern
    14. Posted by jabern Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    So much of the talk guys, Lets us all see come fight time.
    And I'll tell you what-I wonder if RH will be able to handle MP's level headed combination.
    Whether it is speed or power, nothing will bring you back to your senses when the big blow comes by so fast without you knowing it....
  15. jabern
    15. Posted by jabern Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I give Hatton 49 percent chance if he is lucky to blow by Pac one punch crashing to the canvass but same percent when Pac blows Hatton one hell of a punch bringing him no choice for fateful end. And that's fatal luck to avoid being hospitalized..
  16. Ben G
    16. Posted by Ben G Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How much do these writers get paid?? I'm tired of reading non proofread material, If you're a professional writer there should be NO mistakes in these few paragraphs you have.Sorry, just my pet peeve....
    "there is no track records of even the highest earners being to walk away early." what is being to walk away??? what is that???
  17. Ben G
    17. Posted by Ben G Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ps.
    pacman rules
  18. Ed R
    18. Posted by Ed R Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This comment is about Mr. Arum comment about, Manny P. to be future president of Phil. Island, Well as much as we like Manny and all his accomplishment inside the ring brings proud and Joy to majority of Pilipinos all over the world, and I'm one of them, but to say about being future president of the country i think is a little bit too much, but then again anybody other than who is sitting there now is an improvement, Now Manny really did make pilipinos proud and he did represent the Country well, He trained hard and I saw lots of them, He is dedicated, a Family man, He did very well for himself and his Family, plus he is very generous, No question about His generosity, and His Kids are all attending good school, thats great, and His pledge of not wanting his kids to follow his footstep is I believe everybodies dream, He knows first hand how dificult to be champion like him, all the sacrifice and training being away from his family, so he made us all very proud indeed, He will forever be remember as a champion and place Phillipines in world map...Again good luck and god be with him...no matter what the outcome of this fight, He will be always our champion...MABUHAY KA MANNY...
    NOW... HERE IS WHERE HE SOMEWHAT LACKING... OR PERHAPS HE CARES BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW IT...IT WAS PUBLISHED THATS SO MANY CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS WILL BE WATCHING THE FIGHT IN LAS VEGAS, SURE ENOUGH I WILL BE THERE TONITE TO SEE SOME OF THEM.
    NOW HERE IS WHERE I DON'T AGREE, CONGRESMAN MAKE 35,000 PESOS A MONTH APROXIMATELY 729 U.S.DOLLAR IN CURRENT RATE, THE PLANE TICKET COST AROUND BUISNESS CLASS 4,000 U.S DOLLAR IN PESOS IS AROUND 192,000 PESOS, ROOM IN MGM AND MANDALAY COST ABOUT 370 U.S. DOLLARS IS ABOUT 17,760 PESOS A DAY, NOW TICKETS I'M SURE IS RINGSIDE COST BETWEEN 1,000 TO 2,500 U.S DOLLARS IN PESOS WILL PLACE IT AT 1,500 X 48 = 72,000 PESOS NOW THE DAILY FOOD AND OTHER EXPENSES IS NOT YET THERE, NOW GOO FIGURE.... FOR 35,000 THOUSAND PESOS SALARY MONTHLY ANF ACCORDING TO NEWS ACCOUNT IS ABOUT 50 CONGRESSMAN AND TWO SENATORS AND HOW ABOUT THE CABNINETS MEMBERS.... ALL IN ALLL MY POINT IS,,, LOTS OF PILIPINOS BACK HOME HAVING GONE TO BED WITH EMPTY STOMACH....NOW GO FIGURE.. THIS FOLKS IS PUBLIC FIGURES...AGAIN THEY SAID TO BE MANNY FRIENDS, AND MANNY PROVIDED THEM THE TICKETS TO THE FIGHTS ACCORDING TO NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT, PLUS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CLAIMED THAT HE DID PAID FOR HIS EXPENSES BUT THE TICKETS WERE PROVIDED BY MANNY CAMP I GUESS... AGAIN WE ARE PROUD OF MANNY IS THE JUST THE COMPANY HE KEPT...
    YOU KNOW IF HE WANT RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE NO PROBLEM, BUT HE DOES NOT NEED THE ENDORSMENT OF THOSE CONGRESSMAN, I THINK HE CAN WIN WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING THAT HIS HEART AND MIND IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE...JUST LOOK HOW MANY PEOPLE STILL ADMIRED ERAP...
    THATS MY TAKE
    GOD BLESS
    MANNY
    I WISH YOU DEDICATE THIS FIGHTTO THE OPRESS IN LIKE OF JUN LOZADA A WHISTLE BLOWER IN REGARDS TO ZTEANOMALIES HE IS NOW IN JAILED FOR PERJURY AND CLAIMED BY MIKE DEFENSOR THAT HE WANTS TO CLEAR HIS NAME..
    THE QUESTION IS WHO WILL YOU BELIEVE A PERSON WHO HAS FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS READY CASH OR JUN LOZADO CLAIMED THAT MIKE WANT HIM TO RE TRACT HIS STATEMENT ABOUT BEING KIDNAP AT THE NINOY AIRPORT UPON HIS ARRIVAL FROM HONGKONG AND JUN LOZADO ITSELF ADMITTED IN THE SENATE HEARING TTHAT HE IS NO SAINT... MR. JUN LOZADO CUURENTLY IN MANILA CITY JAIL , JUST WISH THAT MANNY DEDICATE THIS FIGHT TO HIM AND TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT UNABLE TO DEPEND THEMSELVES...
    THATS MY TAKE...
    HAVE GREAT FIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO HATTON AND MANNY...THE BEST FIGHTHER WILL WIN BUT I'M ROOTING ALL THE WAY FOR MANNY OF COURSE MY KABABAYAN...
    AS ALAWYS BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER.
    ED
  19. Ed R
    19. Posted by Ed R Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This comment is about Mr. Arum comment about, Manny P. to be future president of Phil. Island, Well as much as we like Manny and all his accomplishment inside the ring brings proud and Joy to majority of Pilipinos all over the world, and I'm one of them, but to say about being future president of the country i think is a little bit too much, but then again anybody other than who is sitting there now is an improvement, Now Manny really did make pilipinos proud and he did represent the Country well, He trained hard and I saw lots of them, He is dedicated, a Family man, He did very well for himself and his Family, plus he is very generous, No question about His generosity, and His Kids are all attending good school, thats great, and His pledge of not wanting his kids to follow his footstep is I believe everybodies dream, He knows first hand how dificult to be champion like him, all the sacrifice and training being away from his family, so he made us all very proud indeed, He will forever be remember as a champion and place Phillipines in world map...Again good luck and god be with him...no matter what the outcome of this fight, He will be always our champion...MABUHAY KA MANNY...
    NOW... HERE IS WHERE HE SOMEWHAT LACKING... OR PERHAPS HE CARES BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW IT...IT WAS PUBLISHED THATS SO MANY CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS WILL BE WATCHING THE FIGHT IN LAS VEGAS, SURE ENOUGH I WILL BE THERE TONITE TO SEE SOME OF THEM.
    NOW HERE IS WHERE I DON'T AGREE, CONGRESMAN MAKE 35,000 PESOS A MONTH APROXIMATELY 729 U.S.DOLLAR IN CURRENT RATE, THE PLANE TICKET COST AROUND BUISNESS CLASS 4,000 U.S DOLLAR IN PESOS IS AROUND 192,000 PESOS, ROOM IN MGM AND MANDALAY COST ABOUT 370 U.S. DOLLARS IS ABOUT 17,760 PESOS A DAY, NOW TICKETS I'M SURE IS RINGSIDE COST BETWEEN 1,000 TO 2,500 U.S DOLLARS IN PESOS WILL PLACE IT AT 1,500 X 48 = 72,000 PESOS NOW THE DAILY FOOD AND OTHER EXPENSES IS NOT YET THERE, NOW GOO FIGURE.... FOR 35,000 THOUSAND PESOS SALARY MONTHLY ANF ACCORDING TO NEWS ACCOUNT IS ABOUT 50 CONGRESSMAN AND TWO SENATORS AND HOW ABOUT THE CABNINETS MEMBERS.... ALL IN ALLL MY POINT IS,,, LOTS OF PILIPINOS BACK HOME HAVING GONE TO BED WITH EMPTY STOMACH....NOW GO FIGURE.. THIS FOLKS IS PUBLIC FIGURES...AGAIN THEY SAID TO BE MANNY FRIENDS, AND MANNY PROVIDED THEM THE TICKETS TO THE FIGHTS ACCORDING TO NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT, PLUS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CLAIMED THAT HE DID PAID FOR HIS EXPENSES BUT THE TICKETS WERE PROVIDED BY MANNY CAMP I GUESS... AGAIN WE ARE PROUD OF MANNY IS THE JUST THE COMPANY HE KEPT...
    YOU KNOW IF HE WANT RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE NO PROBLEM, BUT HE DOES NOT NEED THE ENDORSMENT OF THOSE CONGRESSMAN, I THINK HE CAN WIN WITHOUT THEM PROVIDING THAT HIS HEART AND MIND IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE...JUST LOOK HOW MANY PEOPLE STILL ADMIRED ERAP...
    THATS MY TAKE
    GOD BLESS
    MANNY
    I WISH YOU DEDICATE THIS FIGHTTO THE OPRESS IN LIKE OF JUN LOZADA A WHISTLE BLOWER IN REGARDS TO ZTEANOMALIES HE IS NOW IN JAILED FOR PERJURY AND CLAIMED BY MIKE DEFENSOR THAT HE WANTS TO CLEAR HIS NAME..
    THE QUESTION IS WHO WILL YOU BELIEVE A PERSON WHO HAS FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS READY CASH OR JUN LOZADO CLAIMED THAT MIKE WANT HIM TO RE TRACT HIS STATEMENT ABOUT BEING KIDNAP AT THE NINOY AIRPORT UPON HIS ARRIVAL FROM HONGKONG AND JUN LOZADO ITSELF ADMITTED IN THE SENATE HEARING TTHAT HE IS NO SAINT... MR. JUN LOZADO CUURENTLY IN MANILA CITY JAIL , JUST WISH THAT MANNY DEDICATE THIS FIGHT TO HIM AND TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT UNABLE TO DEPEND THEMSELVES...
    THATS MY TAKE...
    HAVE GREAT FIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO HATTON AND MANNY...THE BEST FIGHTHER WILL WIN BUT I'M ROOTING ALL THE WAY FOR MANNY OF COURSE MY KABABAYAN...
    AS ALAWYS BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER.
    ED
  20. Rai
    20. Posted by Rai Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Viva pacman , bai ayo ayo sa imong awai , birahi nag tarong si haton good luck bai ......
  21. Standing 8
    21. Posted by Standing 8 Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Its unfortunate, but there are really no big fights left in boxing. The mega fights of the future will always be two foreigners from countries with few other dominant sports figures. Where the lone sports icon will be that boxer. Within 5 years you will witness the disappearance of the american boxing superstar.
  22. Alvin Robertson
    22. Posted by Alvin Robertson Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:11 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    ^ Why is it every time we have a big hyped up event in boxing we get idiots like this guy saying that there are no more big fights. If its that bad, why are you even wasting your time commenting on this fight. Somehow all the significant fights that happen WEEKLY don't count for anything to the casual fan unless they are hit with a sledgehammer by the ESPN hype machine.
    Manny is one of the greatest athletes in ANY sport at the moment, here is a fighter that won an undisputed flyweight (112) title now contending for the jr. welterweight championship (140). That is an outstanding achievement, and unheard of in the long history of boxing. Please kill yourself if you think that only Americans can be great athletes.
  23. Champ200
    23. Posted by Champ200 Fri May 01, 2009 6:16 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think it should be noted that these two fighters are from outside of the united states making a gazillion dollars in the U.S. Have we ever had that in boxing before??? I am hearing that they are making 12 million a piece.. But I do realize that most of their money is coming from the overseas market; each fighter has an entire country behind him.
  24. DaWayne M
    24. Posted by DaWayne M Fri May 01, 2009 8:22 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hatton will win this one.
  25. pogi
    25. Posted by pogi Fri May 01, 2009 8:30 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    the thing that pisses me off is they keep on saying that pacquiao will be the next president of the republic of the philippines... hell no!!! not being disrespectful for the man, but he is endeared in this country as a boxing icon and demigod, but as president? You better get your facts straight... There are aplenty of choices for the president, he can't even win a congressional seat in his hometown, much more the presidency... Contrary to your belief that we are a poor and relatively a backward country, our people are educated, god fearing and somehow intellectual. But for the meantime, its Pacquiao who handles the boxing business, and on Saturday, May 2... he'll mangle The Hitman into submission, and send his trainaer packing to the sewer manhole of New York City.

Boxing Experts Blog

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Related Photo Gallery

More BOX Photos »

Blog Roll

Yahoo! Sports Blog Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)