Philippines, 04 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


INTERNATIONAL REFEREE MCTAVISH INSISTS PACQUIAO NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THE RIOS FIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




Internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish who makes his home in Angeles City, Pampanga, insists that ?Fighter of the Decade? and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao needs to remain totally focused on his showdown with exciting Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios in Macau on November 24 or he could lose.

McTavish told the Manila Standard that Pacquiao ?has to get focused. He can?t rely on politics or religion. He can only do one thing and that?s boxing, boxing, boxing.?

He warned that ?if Pacquiao is not focused, Rios can win the fight easy but if he?s not, Rios is a danger.?

Although Rios is tailor-made for Pacquiao because he stands in front and throws punches ?but without the focus, Rios has got the weapons to beat him.?

McTavish was full of praise for Milan Melindo who put on a gallant effort in a losing cause against Mexican WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last Saturday.
He said Melindo ?is a class act. He?s very nice man. He has got all the potential in the world and is still young enough to come back. He just fought a champion (Estrada) who was on the top of his game and probably had the best fight of his life, the wrong time for Melindo.?

McTavish said ?I wish it was an eight round fight we would have had a world champion. He made a mistake by changing his style after the first six rounds when he tried to mix it up.?

He blasted the three judges for their lopsided scorecards, calling them ?ridiculous.?

Photo: Pacquiao poses for cameramen at China's great wall. Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.