Pacquiao, Ortiz, Pavlik, Cotto and more!!!

Filipino P4P king and man of the hour, Manny Pacquiao, is set to start filming a movie ("Wapakman") within the next few days. He is said to be the hero in a Kung-Fu flick which will have him co-star with WWE star Batista and Pussycat Dolls vocalist Szcherinzger. Pacquiao has recently said that he doesn't feel that the filming of the movie will affect his training for his upcoming showdown with Miguel Cotto, but the last fighter to attempt such an act (Antonio Tarver - Rocky) failed to perform when when it counted the most, which was when HBO's camera started rolling before a nationa audience. Pacquiao has been in some tough fights before and he's had a few fight camps where he also worked on separate projects, but to have a strong Miguel Cotto waiting in the wings and have his attention elsewhere could be a very grave danger, and listening to some Cotto fans, potentially even leave room for an 'out' if he loses. No doubt the Filipino warrior is multi-talented and can multi-task, but this is one time where he'd be much better off simply focusing on the task at HAND. Literally...meaning the one in the ring. Stay tuned.

Victor Ortiz: Tin-Man Off To See The Wizard.....

Prior to last Saturday's showdown between Ortiz and Maidana, many viewed Victor as the second-coming of 'Goldenboy' Oscar De La Hoya. In the aftermath of that performance, however, it appears that Ortiz is in fact walking down the yellow brick road. Trouble is, it isn't a very golden one, but instead, it's the one that leads to the 'Wizard', where many feel Ortiz needs to fight his way to the front of the line where he can play the role of the 'Tin-man', asking the Wizard for a heart! It's hard to tell where Ortiz will go after his KO loss, but if his comments in the ring are any indicator that surf scene before the fight will be far more relevant than the ring, where Ortiz openly stated on live air that he "is young, but doesn't think he should be getting beat up like that", and that he's "not going down on [his] back or lying down for no one". To represent the proud Mexican nation and utter such words is a complete and total slap in the face of some of the sports greatest warriors of all time, and a fan base who's used to watching fighters who'd rather die in the ring than go out without honor. It'll be interesting to see what Ortiz does next, but if my two cents counts, I think the kid needs to do like he said and "take some time to think", and either perform or depart.

Kelly Pavlik: Problems In Pavlik-Land?

Only a few years ago, Kelly Pavlik was one of the first names to appear on the proverbial "most feared man on the planet" list, as it relates to the ring. Despite triumphant victories over Taylor (twice), Miranda, and a hand full of others, it's the one loss he suffered which has apparently had the most impact. Questions and rumors have quickly spread with his name at the center, and oddly enough, there's been very little noise made to rebuff those accounts. What's even stranger, is the fact that Dunkin, Cameron, and all other major players in his camp that have typically made noise and boasted the fighters talents have all been conspicuously quiet as Arthur Abraham and a few others around the sport call his name. The alcohol rumors haven't been cleared, but no matter what he does in the ring, I'd hope this young and talented trooper isn't in fact pouring his life away in a bottle. He hasn't looked the same since the Hopkins lost, at his young age, hopefully there's enough time to regroup and regain the momentum that he has obviously lost.

Arum Wishes He Was 'Top Rank'

According to Bob Arum, HBO decided to give GBP a number of television dates that have affected things greatly due to the fact that GBP has seen a rash of cancellations involving fights setup for their fighters. Arum's point - which is very true - is that from Haye, to Marquez, to John/Juarez, and a few others, it seems that the fight public has basically lost a complete summer due to the fact that these dates were filled with Goldenboy Promotions fights that will no longer go through, leaving a major void in the industry, as other qualified fights (fighters) sit back without a date. Generally, such a statement would be viewed as sour grapes, and considering that HBO failed to step up and select a fight between Top Rank fighter Kelly Pavlik and German Felix Sturm, one would think that's the case; but there's no question that his point is deadly accurate, and the unfortunate thing is that it can't be changed. Once again, politics have played a role in a step that has done nothing other than strip fight fans of seeing the best. GBP has done a great job, but if their fighters aren't fighting, that changes everything...for them and us fight fans. Think about it!

Marcos Maidana: Don't Cry For Me Argentina....

Pop singer Madonna once belted a song aptly entitled "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Not quite sure if Argentinean boxer Marcos Maidana is a fan, but in a similar parallel, he may have a reason to yell the aforementioned title. Many of his native land have felt for quite some time that he was not getting his just due - as it relates to publicity from the boxing media. Well, after his stunning KO over upcoming Goldenboy turned bronze, Victor Ortiz, I don't think it'll take too much more of a nudge to get attention when it's time for many of us boxing scribes to pen an article. I liked him in the Kotelnik fight - (which he barely lost) - and I liked him against Ortiz. As time moves along, I fully expect that more and more fight fans and scribes will 'like' him, giving those in his native land reason to dry their eyes as a well deserving fighter finally gets his props after putting in some hard work.

Team Pacquiao: Suddenly, A Different Tune On Cotto

For weeks, Team Pacquiao made a number of statements which skimmed the airwaves relative to the "ease" in which they felt Pacman would defeat Cotto. Now that only one or two small issues separate this fight from possible to definite, things have suddenly began to come into better focus, as the picture is now clear. Team Pacquiao leader, trainer Freddie Roach has stated that as he sees it, it's gonna be a tough fight because "Cotto is big, he's strong, and he's young". This is a deadly trio that many neutral fight fans have noticed from day one, but apparently once slipped under the radar for Team Pacquiao. Other members of the camp have also come out and realized the harm that awaits in a match against a true welterweight. In a recent interview with Joshua Clottey, I asked him who was the stronger between Margarito and Cotto - being that he faced both men. He made it very clear that Cotto is by FAR (which he repeated the word FAR 5x) the stronger and better fighter of the two. That statement solidified the fact that Manny is about to face the strongest welterweight in the world. One can only hope it turns out nice for the Filipino, but looking at things for what they are, there's no question, the sudden acknowledgment of Team Pacquiao is very much on point. Lets see now how it all pans out!

Chambers/Dimitrenko: Wait A Minute...Not So Fast....Eddie

'Fast' Eddie Chambers is preparing for a fight with Dimitrenko which could land him in the ring with Wladimir Klitschko, providing he gets the "W". Equipped with great speed, style and skill, Chambers is viewed as potentially the next American heavyweight champion. Well, maybe not so fast....Of all the talent he does possess, it's the one thing he doesn't have which he probably needs most. Critics of Chambers have stated that he'd be better served as a cruiserweight or even light heavyweight, as his limited KO power makes him a true question mark - as it relates to defeating some of the big boys in the heavyweight division. For now, his critics wait for answers, just like his silent supporters, who continue to remind many that Holyfield wasn't the most powerful or the biggest, but few had his number when he walked around in his prime. It'll be interesting to see how Chambers responds. Sunday morning the headlines will say it all.

Juan Manuel Lopez: Is Puerto Rico's Next The Best?

Juan Manuel Lopez's fight last Saturday night showed us a different side of the young stud. We've seen him make a name for himself by pounding guys to a pulp, but Lontchi, his latest opponent, was far more slippery than any opponent he's faced to date. Although he showed some weaknesses, his strength would once again go down as the main ingredient, as he ended the fight in a KO fashion once again. Miguel Cotto is considered the leader - as it relates to being next to carry the Puerto Rican mantle - but Lopez's progress and ability puts him neck and neck with his contemporary who many feel isn't quite the same in the post-Margarito era of his career. With Pacquiao waiting in the wings, a lost for Cotto and a dominating continuance by Lopez will be key in answering this question. Skill wise, Lopez appears more well rounded, yet handling the test of time remains a major question.

(Vivek Wallace can be contacted at: vivexemail@yahoo.com, Facebook, and Myspace).