Pacquiao, Roach already preparing for Floyd Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao punches Chris Algieri during the WBO world welterweight title fight Saturday. Pacquiao says he wants Floyd Mayweather next.(Photo: Chris Hyde, Getty Images)

MACAU -- Manny Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach revealed they are already preparing for the fight boxing craves more than any other a mouthwatering showdown against pound-for-pound No.1 Floyd Mayweather.

After dismantling out-matched opponent Chris Algieri with a unanimous points decision that included six knockdowns at the Venetian Macao's Cotai Arena in the early hours of Sunday, the Pacquiao camp made their strongest statements yet on the matter, all aimed directly in Mayweather's direction.

"People can prepare for (a fight) early next year," Pacquiao said. "It is a fight that I want. It is a fight the fans deserve."

Less than an hour after Pacquiao's resounding victory over Algieri, the Filipino 35-year-old and his advisers revealed a series of fresh pieces of information that painted the picture that a Mayweather fight is closer than the public had dared to imagine.

Roach, the mercurial trainer who has played a major role in masterminding his ascent to the top of the sport, also seems to have played a surprising role on the promotional side that could make the difference in the previously-doomed super fight happening.

Around four months ago, Roach was a central figure in setting up a meeting between Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum and CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, who controls the Showtime network, with whom Mayweather is four fights into a six-bout deal worth $250 million.

Since then, Arum and Moonves, who had had previously frosty relations for several years, have held advanced discussions about Pacquiao and Mayweather squaring off.

Asked if he trusted Mayweather, Arum replied, "No", before adding "but I trust Les Moonves. For the head of CBS to spend that much time on something would be counter-productive if it was (nonsense)."

According to Roach, Arum has told him that a deal will get done, prompting the trainer to have already starting watching tape on Mayweather in order to get ready for a fight with the 37-year-old American. Roach originally analyzed Mayweather back in 2009, when it appeared the pair would meet before talks collapsed.

Mayweather has been steadfastly reluctant to fight Pacquiao and the biggest stumbling block remaining will be to convince him to sign on the line. However, Moonves may be the deciding factor, with the political weight in the fight game and the financial power he carries.

If this proves to be yet another false dawn ahead of another contractual collapse it would be a devastating blow for boxing. Mayweather and Pacquiao are the two dominant fighters of their generation and even if both are slightly past their peak, the matchup would still be hugely anticipated.

"If boxing is to be considered a major sport the fight has to happen," Arum said. "All the nonsense has to cease. Everyone should work together to make that fight happen. There are no excuses any more. I will be at the phone. We are ready."

Arum says the fight would gross in excess of $200 million, meaning Mayweather could pocket more than $80 million, far above his previous high of $41.5 million for fighting Canelo Alvarez.

"It would be a very challenging fight. He would be the best we have ever faced. I will really have to do my homework. I love Manny (to win) that fight and I look forward to getting him ready for it."

Roach, even with his own preparations underway, still feels Mayweather could need a nudge in the right direction, prompting him to kick the trash-talking into gear already.

"It will haunt them forever if it doesn't happen," Roach added. "They will always be in a conversation and someone will say 'why didn't you fight him?' Maybe calling (Mayweather) out, calling him chicken, we will embarrass him into it."

PHOTOS: Pacquiao defeats Algieri

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2014/11/23/manny-pacquiao-floyd-mayweather-future-fight/19438533/

Continue Reading ..

How Pacquiao Might Be Vulnerable Against Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Chris Algieri in Macau, China, early Sunday afternoon local time.

Prior to the blowout victory, Pacquiaos trainer, Freddie Roach, was emphatic that he wanted to see a knockout. After all, the Pacman has not registered a KO since his 2009 stoppage of Miguel Cotto. Against Algieri, Pacquiao scored six knockdowns and yet was unable to halt the tenacious but overmatched fighter from Long Island, N.Y.

What is next for Pacquiao?

Possible future opponents include Danny Garcia, Diego Chaves, Keith Thurman, and Juan Manuel Marquez. But it is, of course, the mega-matchup with Floyd Mayweather that the world has been patiently awaiting.

Early this month, boxing commentator Larry Merchant said, There is a lot of pressure on Pacquiao in this fight, because if he wins and looks dominant it will put public pressure on Mayweather to fight him.

Pacquiaos promoter, Bob Arum, sees things differently. He said, Floyd is immune to public pressure and makes his own decisions about who he will fight. Arum continued, I really think that Mayweather is afraid of Pacquiao and he wont fight him unless he detects some serious deterioration in Mannys skills.

If Arum is right, is there anything that Mayweather might have seen in this weekends fight to embolden him to make the fight with Pacquiao?

While Pacquiaos speed and reflexes were intact, he was largely unable to cut off the ring on the fleet but relatively inept Algieri. Against orthodox fighters like Algieri (Mayweather is orthodox), Pacquiao comes in behind a double right jab and then fires a highly concussive straight left. In the past, that sequence has driven opponents to the ropes and often into a shell, at which point Pacquiao explodes with another salvo of hooks and uppercuts.

Every time Pacquiao stunned Algieri, and that was frequent enough, Algieri was able to spin out to his left and move the tussle back into the center of the ring, and the center of the ring is where Mayweather is an absolute monarch.

The one-punch knockout at the right hand of Marquez in 2012 has made the Pacman wary of being overly aggressive. After his victory against Algieri, Pacquiao acknowledged that he was going for the knockout but didnt want to get careless and overconfident. Nevertheless, the willingness to apply heat with reckless abandon has always been the Pacmans recipe for success.

Throughout the contest, Pacquiao lammed Algieri with lead lefts. Still, Pacquiao has always had the dangerous habit of squaring his shoulders when he comes in and gets tagged with right hands. Though not very potent, Algieri was able to touch Pacquiao with his right and Mayweathers quick and chopping right is of a much higher magnitude than Algieri.

Before the bout Roach said, My biggest fear is that Manny looks so good against Algieri that it will send Floyd over the bend and away from fighting us forever.

Perhaps, Roach need not worry too much.

Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2014/11/23/how-pacquiao-could-be-vulnerable-against-mayweather/

Continue Reading ..

Can UF Handle A Situation Like The FSU Shooting?

GAINESVILLE - The shooting at Florida State has not just affected students in Tallahassee but also has brought concern to college students in Gainesville. One thing that stopped Myron May from causing any more damage at the FSU library were the security barriers in place. But are there enough safety measures in place to prevent these kinds of emergencies at the University of Florida?

The FSU shooting Thursday morning has hit close to home for many students here at UF. But it also has them wondering are they safe on their own campus?

Alfredo Ramirez a junior at UF said, "The library here at UF is a very open place and you know and it's not the most secure area at the university. And I feel like it's very susceptible to any kind of incident."

However, Major Brad Barber with the University of Florida Police Department says they are more than prepared to handle an active shooter situations.

Since the instance that actually occurred at Virginia Tech university many years ago we had gone through accessed our capabilities, the equipment that we had, the training that we go through. Made those assessments, any adjustments necessary to basically handle any situation," Major Barber said.

UFPD owns an armored rescue vehicle. It's completely bullet proof and while it has never been used before, if a gunman came on campus this is how they would respond.

I definitely think it's very easy for someone to blend in when certain thoughts are going through their mind and you don't know what acts they're thinking about committing," Ramirez said.

At FSU you also have to swipe your student ID to come in and the metal gates only allow one person in at a time. In fact, because the gunman was unable to make it past the security barriers he left FSU's library; probably preventing a more tragic turnout. However at UF it's pretty easy to walk in. In fact we got in without a problem.

The Facilities Manager at Library West, Peter Miller tells us they have a security guard at the entrance during the evenings and that student ID's are checked after midnight.

"We don't like to keep out community members because we are paid for by tax dollars so we want to serve the entire community rather than just the university community I wouldn't say it's exactly easy to get in. Because when you work at the circulation desk you see the same faces every day and so you know when someone walks in who is not a normal visitor because that person stands out."

There will be a meeting in the next coming weeks with the security company, the facilities department and the deans to discuss safety on campus in light of the FSU shooting.

Source: http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2014/11/can-uf-handle-situation-fsu-shooting

Continue Reading ..

Natalie Morales, Willie Geist Were Told They Were Fired From the Today Show ...

You might soon be waking up with new faces if you're a Today show devotee. In a quest to beat rival Good Morning America's ratings, NBC is shaking things up at the morning show.

PHOTOS: Stars who have been fired

Co-hosts Willie Geist and Natalie Morales "were recently told they were fired," an NBC source reveals exclusively in the new issue of Us Weekly. Morales, 42, is now in talks with ABC and Geist, 39, has lined up a gig at CBS, the insider tells Us.

But soon after those radical cuts were made, NBC removed general manager Jamie Horowitz, the most vocal proponent of the changes. In a memo obtained by Us Weekly, NBC News' Deborah Turness explained Horowitz on the job since September was simply "not the right fit. Now its unclear whether Geist and Morales will indeed be exiting or whether the current regime will try to woo them back.

PHOTOS: Best dressed TV hosts

Hoda Kotb and Josh ElliottCredit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The insider adds that there are other ideas "floating around" as well, including demoting fellow co-host Tamron Hall back to MSNBC and adding Good Morning America alum Josh Elliott as a newsreader.Hoda Kotb, who currently owns the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, might also be asked to join the 9 a.m. hour.

A separate source, however, tells Us that these proposals may never come to fruition. "An executive went rogue and got fired for suggesting crazy ideas no one agreed with," the source explains of the situation overall.

PHOTOS: Talk show controversies

A rep for the Today show also denies the shake-up and tells Us in a statement, "NBC's Today has the best anchor team in morning television. The entire Today show anchor team -- Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Willie Geist, Carson Daly, Tamron Hall, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Hoda Kotb -- are incredibly talented, valued and have our support. In response to the false rumors that have been circulated about our anchor team, NBC wants to be absolutely clear: The rumors are wrong -- period. This is the team we are committed to. And this is the team that our viewers turn to in the morning."

Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/natalie-morales-willie-geist-fired-from-today-show-details-20141911

Continue Reading ..

Funeral of Miss Honduras Maria Jose Alvarado and sister at tiny church as ...

A double funeral has been held for murdered Miss Honduras Maria Jose Alvarado and her sister Sofia.

This moving footage shows grief-ridden loved ones of the the sisters - including mum Teresa Muoz who wept over their coffins.

Hundreds of people turned out for the morning ceremony in a tiny church near their home town of Santa Barbara.

Recovered from a muddy grave, the bodies of reigning Miss Honduras Maria Jose Alvarado, 19, and her sister Sofia, 23, were filmed being driven off in the back of a pick-up yesterday after being discovered buried by a river nearly a week after they disappeared.

Forensics experts in protective suits carried the bodies to the truck with the jungle and a crowd of onlookers in the background.

Grief: Mum Teresa Munoz cries over the coffin of her daughter, former Miss Honduras World Maria Jose Alvarado

Maria, who was due to arrive in London for the Miss World competition, and Sofia, are thought to have been killed near their home after leaving the birthday party of Sofia's boyfriend Plutarco Ruiz.

Detectives said the 26-year-old has already confessed to the macabre crime.

Maria Jose disappeared along with her student sister last Thursday, less than a week before the start of this year's Miss World contest.

Her photo still featured on its official website today alongside a profile describing her as a keen volleyball and football player.

Local reports said Ruiz, who had been under arrest since the weekend, had confessed to shooting the two women dead in a jealous rage after his girlfriend had danced with another man at his party.

Police chief Leandro Osorio said: "We have Plutarco Ruiz, the material author of this abominable crime.

Service: The service was held in a tiny church in Santa Barbara, 200 km north of Tegucigalpa, in Honduras

"We have found the murder weapon and the car that was used to transport their bodies.

"We can say 100 per cent the bodies are those of the missing women."

The sisters' bodies were found buried on land by the Aguagua River in a mountainous area known as Piedra Gigante or Giant Stone near to the private party venue where their alleged killer celebrated his birthday.

Ruiz is understood to have led police to the burial spot after confessing following several days of questioning.

Detectives say he used his white Toyota pick-up to transfer the sisters' bodies to the spot where they were buried - before sending the vehicle off to be cleaned and painted at a local garage.

VIEW GALLERY

An alleged accomplice, named locally as Aris Maldonado, is also facing a double murder charge.

The dead womens' mum had made several appeals for their safe return after they left her home in Santa Barbara for the party.

Teresa de Jesus said after Sofia's boyfriend's arrest she considered him a key suspect and claimed neighbours had told her he was "jealous and problematic" when he had been drinking.

Students at their university, the Polytechnic centre of the North, marched in white tops yesterday to demand their safe return.

Designer Eduardo Zabla, who on Sunday was due to hand Maria Jose the dress she hoped to win Miss World with, said before she was found dead: "I am very worried and anguished. I don't know what to think.

Beauty: Maria and sister Sofia were brutally murdered

"Maria Jose is a very good girl, very disciplined. I've been ringing her mobile constantly since her family told me she had disappeared, but there's no answer because it's switched off."

The case has caused consternation in the notoriously violent Honduras home to the most dangerous city on the planet.

San Pedro Sula, just over 30 miles from Santa Barbara, is the murder capital of the world with more than 1,200 killings a year among its nearly one million inhabitants.

Its murder rate of 169 per 100,000 people far surpasses anything in north America or much larger cities like Lagos or Sao Paulo.

Pretty Maria Jose beat 18 contestants to win the Miss Honduras crown in April.

The Miss World grand finale takes place on December 14 at ExCel London in the heart of the capital's Royal Docks area.

Tragic: The two bodies are driven off yesterday in the back of a pick-up after being recovered from muddy graves

Swiss-born medical student Carina Tyrrell, 24, a qualified ski instructor and competition level gymnast, is representing England.

Scotland is represented by media and marketing student Ellie McKeating, 20, from Glasgow.

Ireland's representative is business studies student Jessica Hayes, 20, from Cork.

Julia Morley, chairman of the Miss World organisation, said in a statement this afternoon: "We are devastated by this terrible loss of two young women, who were so full of life.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Maria Jose Alvarado and Sofia Trinidad at this time of grief.

"We are receiving messages of condolences and support from our Miss World family across the world, who all share our sadness at such a tragedy.

"We will be holding a special service with all the Miss World contestants on Sunday, where we will be honouring the lives of Maria Jose Alvarado and Sofia Trinidad, and say prayers for them and their family."

The sister's bodies are removed from muddy graves:

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/funeral-miss-honduras-maria-jose-4665962

Continue Reading ..

Michael Phelps: His Girlfriend Reveals She Was Born A Man

A hot affair with a crazy twist! Michael Phelps, known to the world as celebrated an Olympian, had a wild lover before he went to rehab. But his girlfriend has been hiding a shocking secret that she decided to share with the world before sharing with Michael!

Michael Phelps,29, who is expected to leave rehab this week, already has new drama to deal with: his alleged girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, was born a man. On Nov. 19. Taylor, 41, revealed that she is intersexand was originally named David Roy Fitch.

Michael Phelps Girlfriend: I Was Born With Male Genitalia With No Testicles

Michael Phelps, who entereda rehab program to get helpafter being arrested for his second DUI on Sept. 30, is making another scandalous splash! His girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, was born a man according, to her Facebook bio.

On TaylorsFacebook profile her bio reads, Taylor Lianne Chandlers life changed on September 30 when her relationship with Michael Phelps, was made public.

Taylor, who says she met Michael through the dating app, Tinder, had corrective surgery to remove her male genitaliain her twenties.

Michael PhelpsGirlfriend Taylor Lianne Chandler: 5 Things About Her

I was born with male genitalia with no testicles, but I also have a uterus and no ovaries, she explains to Radar Online.

I was never a man, never lived as a man. No one can say they knew me as a man or produce a photo of me as a man, adds Taylor in herFacebook post.

Michael Phelps Girlfriend AdmitsTo Having Amazing s*x

Regardless of the whether their relationship will sink or stay afloat, Taylorcontinues to share steamy details about their relationship with the media while also vocalizing her loveand support for for the legendaryathlete.

One thing led to the next, and we made love during halftime.Later, we had s*x again. The intimacy with him was amazing! It was the first time in my life that someone has made me feel like a true woman, reports Radar Online.

The reported Tinder touchdown apparently took place at a Baltimore Ravens Game on Sept. 21.

On Nov. 18. Taylor also took toFacebook to post a loving message and picture of Michael and a bulldog, with the caption printed, Come Visit Us. She alsowrites,My 64 Body Heater is coming home. Ive missed feeling your arms around me!

Prior to his stint in rehab, thehe 22-time Olympic medalist revealed on Oct. 5 via Twitterthat he was going to take some time away from swimming to focus on himself and to learn from his experiences.

Well, now it seems that Michael is learning a lot more than he bargained for upon his return from rehab.

Taylor, who is apparently anticipating that Michael will react negatively to her admission according to Radar Online, still remains obsessed with the Olympian.

Within seconds ofreviewing herFacebook page, it appearsthat Phelps is the main subject featured on her post and photos!

We hope the troubled swimmer doesnt regress and take a nose dive after coming so far in rehab!

HollywoodLifers what do you think!? Tell us! Will Michael be okay?

Take Our Poll

Jordyn Shaffer

More Michael PhelpsNews:

Michael Phelps: Out Of Retirement For One Last Shot At Olympic Glory

2013 ESPY Awards Winners: Michael Phelps & More Full List

Michael Phelps Wants To Become A Pro Golfer, Says His USA Swim Teammate

Source: http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/11/20/michael-phelps-girlfriend-born-a-man/

Continue Reading ..

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps arrested on DUI charge

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps apologizes to people he "let down"
• 22-time Olympic medalist is arrested on a DUI charge
• A Land Rover he was driving in Baltimore was stopped for speeding
• Phelps, 29, returned to swimming in April, about two years ahead of next Olympics

(CNN) -- Legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was arrested early Tuesday in Maryland on a DUI charge, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Phelps, known as the "Baltimore Bullet" and winner of 18 Olympic gold medals, was arrested at about 1:40 a.m. and charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore, the authority said in a statement. He was later released.

Phelps, who returned to competitive swimming in April, said on his official Twitter account that he understands the severity of his actions.

"I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down," Phelps, 29, said in a series of three tweets.

USA Swimming issued a written statement Tuesday afternoon.

"The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious. We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool," the statement said.

A Maryland Transportation Authority police officer was operating a stationary radar on southbound I-395 leaving Baltimore when a white 2014 Land Rover passed traveling at 84 mph in a 45-mph zone.

The officer followed the vehicle onto northbound I-95, through the tunnel and stopped the Land Rover just beyond the tunnel's toll plaza.

The 22-time Olympic medalist was identified as the driver by his driver's license and appeared to be under the influence, the statement said.

"He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," the statement added. "Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process."

Previous run-ins with the law

It was not Phelps' first DUI case.

In 2004, he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months probation. He also issued an apology after that incident.

In 2009, a photograph surfaced of Phelps allegedly smoking pot from a bong at a party.

"I'll make a million mistakes in my life but as long as I never make the same mistake again, then I've been able to learn and grow," Phelps told CNN in 2012. He also said that the incident made him realize who his real friends were.

After the bong incident, Phelps was suspended from competitive swimming for three months and one of his sponsors said it would not renew his contract

USA Swimming, the nation's governing body for competitive swimming, said it was withdrawing financial support for Phelps and barring him from competition during the period of his "reprimand."

Kellogg Co. said it would not renew his advertising contract.

"Michael's most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg," company spokeswoman Susanne Norwitz said at the time.

At the time, Phelps admitted "regrettable behavior" after a British newspaper published the photograph. The tabloid News of the World showed Phelps using the bong during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Back in the water

In April, back in the pool for the first time since 2012, Phelps was close to his peerless best and raced to a second-place finish in the 100-meter butterfly final in front of a sold-out crowd at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Arizona.

Phelps retired after the 2012 Olympics and embarked on a year of travel and golfing, with little mention of a return to swimming.

But he sparked speculation about a potential comeback by re-entering the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's testing program last November -- which began a nine-month wait required before a swimmer can again compete.

When the question of a return to Olympic action arose -- with a potential fifth games in Brazil in 2016 -- Phelps would only say he is taking "one step at a time."

In August, he won five medals at his first international meet -- the Pan Pacific Championships -- since the Olympics. Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly and was on Team USA's winning 800-meter and 400-meter medley relay teams. He took silver in the 200 individual medley and 400-meter freestyle relay. He was selected as the United States Olympic Committee's male athlete of the month.

Amanda Bynes arrested on DUI charge

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/30/justice/michael-phelps-dui/

Continue Reading ..