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The June 2010 issue of the Ring Magazine is on newsstands now and the cover is a very striking image of Manny Pacquiao from excellent photographer Howard Schatz. Many of the sport?s top fighters, matchups, and storylines are featured within the magazine?s 130 pages. Some of the highlights are below…
Manny Pacquiao?s arc of power
The Ring?s editor-in-chief Nigel Collins takes a look at Manny Pacquiao?s March 13th victory over Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in the heart of Texas. While Pacquiao was impressive against his rugged Ghanaian foe and the fight was a financial success there is still much speculation regarding the WBO Welterweight champion?s future.
Having the fight at the Cowboys Stadium certainly seemed to be a fresh change of pace and the fight attracted over 700,000 Pay per view buys, which equates to over 35 million in revenue. Cowboys? owner Jerry Jones was said to be extremely happy with the 50,000 plus turnout for the event and said he has hopes of one day drawing over 100,000 plus into the venue for another mega fight down the road.
The fight itself was far from scintillating however, due in large part to Clottey?s lack of willingness to engage. For his part Pacquiao threw 1231 punches at landed 246 but it seemed to be a one-man show. The Ring?s Philippines correspondent Ted Lerner weighed in and it was noted that pirated DVDs of the bout hadn?t been selling well in Pacquiao?s native country due to the lack of action in the fight.
The article wrapped up by noting that it was ironic for Pacquiao to have beaten down Oscar De La Hoya into retirement, as he was once the very man to carry the sport of boxing on his shoulders. That distinction now belongs to Pacquiao but his future is still uncertain, as his recent involvement in politics and the ongoing confusion regarding a possible bout with Floyd Mayweather have many pondering his next steps.
Mixing a great tonic: Devon Alexander?s story
Styles make fights but stories make television.
Those words ring true when taking a look at the career of IBF and WBC Jr. Welterweight champion Devon Alexander. The Ring?s Don Stradley takes a look at Alexander?s early life in his native St. Louis as well as his rise as a fighter and much is revealed.
One of thirteen siblings growing up in North St. Louis? Hyde Park, Alexander was steered in the right direction by his current trainer Kevin Cunningham and instead of getting caught up in violence or gangs he was a solid student who simply immersed himself in the sport of boxing from a very young age. Alexander went on to note that probably eight of the ten boys he began boxing with are now dead, victims of the same streets that he was around, and he certainly defied odds of his own by making it as far as he has.
The 23-year old Alexander claims to never have been involved in a street fight but his credentials as a professional are impressive, as he has compiled a 20-0 record with 13 stoppages, the last being over Juan Urango this past March as he snatched away the IBF crown from the charger Columbian.
As for the immediate future Alexander has been itching to get fellow undefeated champion Timothy Bradley in the ring and a clash with the Palm Springs fighter would certainly be must-see television. For now though, Alexander can simply enjoy the possible danger he overcame as a youth in order to get to the position he is in today.
Also in the magazine
– Don Stewart takes a glance at the June 5th Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto bout and notes that while the matchup is interesting, seeing a declining star coming off of a beating against a largely unknown belt holder may not be worth the wait.
– The upcoming Vitali Klitschko-Alberto Sosnowski heavyweight title fight is poked fun of to great extent. The heavyweight division is definitely in dire straits these days and this matchup is hardly helping matters.
– The May 15th Michael Katsidis-Kevin Mitchell grudge match is analyzed in full detail. Katsidis is looking to get back in the full picture after seeing his career suffer a hit with losses to Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz. He has his chance against the undefeated Mitchell, who hails from the United Kingdom and sports a 31-0 record with 23 knockouts.
– An exclusive book excerpt from The Thomas Hearns Story is highlighted. Penned by Brian and Damian Hughes, an inside look at Hearns time as a champion is featured. Most notable is the preparation and anticipation towards his fight with Roberto Duran.
– Evander Holyfield?s hardships in and out of the ring are looked at in great detail by William Dettloff
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The cover shot of Manny Pacquiao was shot by Howard Schatz, who has captured some of today?s biggest and brightest stars on film. Click on the collages below for a closer look at some of Schatz? work, which includes the likes of Pacquiao, Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Andre Ward, Roy Jones, and many more. For more on Schatz’ work please visit his personal website at www.howardschatz.com/
