V8: Pacquiao/Mayweather, Cotto, Pavlik, Bradley, and more!

Mayweather/Pacquiao: Many Accusations, No Manifestations....

Recently, it seems the buzz around steroid accusations pointed from Mayweather Sr. to Manny Pacquiao has hit an all-time high. Initially, it was just talk, however, recently, Team Mayweather decided to implement an Olympic games style randomized substance testing for both fighters. To some, this is taking things a step too far, but Team Pacquiao has demonstrated no issues or problems whatsoever with the testing. The tug-of-war among the fans continue to go back and forth, with Pacquiao supporters saying that "he has never failed a drug test in the past"; while Pacquiao critics remind them that "neither did Shane Mosley", who was later found to be supplied with performance enhancing substances. It should be duly noted that despite recent questions, Pacquiao is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, and has never done anything in his life to discredit his name or diminish his ability, so unless and until something manifest, (which I'll go on record and say I doubt will happen), the fightin' Filipino is to be considered clean as a whistle - (or atleast until he decides to enter the ring to get someone else dirty again).

Miguel Cotto....Moving On Up?

Recently, a very humbled Miguel Cotto spoke about what he figures to be his "final year" in the sport. With a summer showdown currently slated as his lead-off showdown, the focus has diverted to the operative question of "who" he will face? After his devastating loss to Pacquiao, few believe he will be up for taking a shot at the winner between he and Mayweather. Some think the Mosley/Berto winner could present a decent option, but in a recent interview with Primera Hora, seems Cotto's option regarding those choices would be "none of the above". Instead, the rugged Puerto Rican has decided to think 'bigger'. As in going north in weight to the 154lb weight class to face newly crowned champion Yuri Foreman. From the sounds of it, Cotto isn't quite sure how long he'll remain in the sport, stating that it all "depends on how [he] does" in his return bout. Not quite sure that I'm ready to see the humble Puerto Rican walk away, but after further review, I'm totally open to seeing him tackle a new weight class. Could be where he belonged all along. We'll have to wait and see.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: Not Thinkin' Too Clearly These Days...

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. recently found himself up against some very odd luck. Often in life we learn that it isn't what happens, but what we do in the aftermath that matters the most. In the case of Chavez, first he fails the banned substance test with the Nevada State commission; then he follows that act up by calling out ...... wait a minute, take a seat before I say this one ..... Sergio Martinez!!! Yeah, that Sergio Martinez!!! I happen to like ole' Chavi, but Sergio Martinez? The same one who just gave Paul Williams a run for his money??? Wow! I don't know if this is the politically correct thing to say here, but maybe a temporary interruption in tenure would be good for Chavez Jr. I'd hate to see that, but it would certainly be the lesser of all existing evils, compared to him facing Martinez in a fight few see him winning. Maybe he knows something we don't. I hope so, because I'm not so sure that matchup favors him. Stay tuned.

Major Mali(gnaggi)

Last weekends brilliant, (yet boastful), performance by New Yorker Paul Malignaggi set a new tone....both for him, and many others in the jr. welterweight division. According to most, Timothy Bradley ruled the evening last Saturday, but few could go without noticing the effort of Malignaggi, who clearly has put himselt somewhere atop the loaded division. For now, he seems content honing in on the seasoned Juan Manuel Marquez, but with Hatton and others in the zone, no question, his next performance will be one worth watching - no matter who he stands across from.

Timothy Bradley - Growing Right Before Our Eyes....

Last weeks victory for Timothy Bradley showed us precisely how far the young Californian has come in his short career. His integrity lacking moment under the spotlight against Nate Campbell wasn't a career moment to be proud of, but short of that debacle, Bradley has been nothing short of stellar. We've seen him go across the pond and get the job done when few felt he had a chance. We've seen him take apart a young and rising star. We've seen him basically do all the things that you want to see a developing fighter do. The inquisitive side of me wants to ask "what next"? But, considering who it is we're talking about, perhaps the operative question should be "who next"? Can't wait to find out.

Vitali Klitschko: Has The Time Come?

Last weekend we saw Vitali Klitschko win a one-sided bout against Kevin 'Kingpin' Johnson. One would think that a one-sided bout would be the best possible scenario, but unfortunately, for Klitshcko, it was anything but. What we saw revealed was the unfortunate head of 'father-time', popping up from behind the bushes in time to make his presence felt. Supporters would say it was a masterful performance, but the reality is that never (post Lennox Lewis) have we seen the great Vitali hit as much as we did last week. What was even worst is that his opponent barely threw punches, yet still managed to cut him around the eye. The heavyweight division hasn't seen a heavyweight this dominant in quite some time, and from the looks of it, we may not be seeing this one too much more either.

Jr. Welterweight Division - Best in the Business

The jr. welterweight division has quickly become one of the best in the sport. For a while, its neighbor, 7lbs north (welterweight division), held that mantle, but now, despite the surging super-middleweight ranks, clearly, it's the jr. welterweight group that has taken the boxing world by storm. From Amir Khan, to Timothy Bradley, to Malignaggi, to Nate Campbell; the action in this division is waist deep, and those who don't stack up have found themselves sinking quickly as a result. Showtime has given us the famed and well celebrated Super-6 tournament. Perhaps the best way to settle the score is to see a similar approach take place in this division. Wouldn't that be nice?

Kelly Pavlik Returns

The last year has been a very odd one for Kelly Pavlik. After being humbled by Bernard Hopkins, he had a subpar performance against Rubio, and from that point, pretty much fell off the map after being associated with rumors spanning in every are from him either not wanting to fight anymore to potential alcoholism. Then there was the Paul Williams debacle, where the war of words left us thinking the powerful puncher was near his deathbed, only to learn weeks later that he would in fact be stepping in the ring, just not in time to face the man we all felt he should have been facing *(Williams)*. I don't subscribe to the theory that Hopkins truly took his heart, (completely), but if anything was taken away, it was the veil of invincibility that he once had, because right about now, few people fear the 'Ghost'. Espino feels he can get the job done. I think that's a pretty tall order, and in his official return to the ring, I fully expect Pavlik to chop him down to size.

(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).