Larry Brown Sports

Manny Pacquiao has decided to make a few lifestyle changes. The man who is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world recently announced that he is giving up his involvement in cockfighting, clubbing, and gambling so that his soul will not end up in hell when he dies.

“I am no longer in the vice business,” Pacquiao said according to SuperSport.com. “I’ve sold my shares in a big nightclub along with my shares in a Manila casino outlet.”

Pacquiao is one of the richest men in the Philippines. He owns shares in a Manila casino, a nightclub, and a bar, but is selling all of them. He also reportedly owns over 1,000 roosters, which are worth around $700,000 and he is giving away to his friends.

“I realize I was a weak person before. If I had died I believe my soul would have ended in hell,” he said. “I had faith, but I was doing things which were against the will of God.”

Manny has become a goodwill ambassador of the church and says he and his wife read the bible every day at home. The Catholic Church of the Phillipines asked him to become its ambassador next month, which Pacquiao described as a “daunting task” that he will accept with “all humility.”

Clearly, the 32-year-old has no intention of ending up like Oscar De La Hoya later in life.

Riddick Bowe is 43 years old and hasn’t fought since 2008, but the former world champion is planning a comeback for the second time in his career. Citing the weakness in the heavyweight division, Bowe says he wants one tuneup fight before he takes on one of the Klitschko brothers (Vitali and Wladimir), who combine to hold all five world heavyweight titles.

“I’m coming out of retirement and I’m going to shock the world,” Bowe told Larry Brown Sports.

He has his eye on Bert Cooper, a 46-year-old heavyweight who is 38-23, and whom Bowe beat in 1990. After that, he wants his shot at one of the Klitschkos, whom he calls by another name that is formed when you substitute the KL for a B.

Bowe isn’t in complete fighting shape yet, but he doesn’t think it will take him long to get there. He’s been working with a trainer the past six months and says he’s in good shape.

“Give me two or three months, and I’ll be ready,” he says.

Would he be willing to fight Evander Holyfield, who’s still boxing, or even Andrew Golota?

“Absolutely,” he says with confidence. “Show me the money … absolutely. Money makes me feel good.”

If Bowe faces Holyfield, it would be for the fourth time in his career. He’s 2-1 against Evander, suffering the only loss of his career.

As part of his comeback, he’s also doing a documentary on “Fan Man,” the parachutist who flew into the outdoor ring at Caesar’s Palace during the seventh round of his loss to Holyfield. His manager Dan Herman has signed a deal with Pick Six Productions and has worldwide distribution rights through IODA.

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Manny Pacquiao is likely to fight Timothy Bradley on June 9th in Las Vegas according to several reports. Pac Man is settling on Bradley after Floyd Mayweather agreed to a May fight with Miguel Cotto, who was also being considered to face the Filipino.

Promoter Bob Arum says the negotiations are nearing completion, noting that it’s difficult to finalize things with Manny so many time zones away in the Philippines.

Bradley is 28-0 with 12 KOs in his career. He defeated Devon Alexander in Detroit last year in an extremely boring and disappointing fight. It was also controversial due to several headbutts by Bradley, who has a rather large cranium. Bradley then turned down a fight with Amir Khan, left promoter Gary Shaw, and signed with Top Rank’s Bob Arum. We wrote last February that Bradley and Pacquiao were likely to fight, and it looks like that’s coming true.

If you’re wondering who Bradley is and why he’s getting this fight, that is your answer. Bob Arum only sets Manny Pacquiao up with fighters he promotes so he can collect a full profit on the fight. So for everyone who was hoping to see Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. square off, you’re left with Mayweather-Cotto and Pacquiao-Bradley. It’s hardly the consolation prize fight fans were hoping for.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. continues to talk trash to Manny Pacquiao, even though the two won’t be fighting in the near future. Mayweather announced Wednesday he will face Miguel Cotto on May 5th instead of Manny Pacquiao as many were hoping. Money couldn’t resist taking a jab at Pac Man, writing on Twitter:

Even though it was Floyd who was thought to be doing all the ducking in the past, he’s now turning the tables. Just because he’s been pushing to face Pac Man recently doesn’t make him a tough guy, but I like him calling out Pacquiao. If Manny is going to let promoter Bob Arum block the megafight everyone wants to see, then he deserves the criticism.

Step up Manny and make this happen.

Manny Pacquiao’s next fight reportedly will be a rematch against Miguel Cotto on June 9th in Las Vegas, according to Lem Satterfield of The Ring. Satterfield says the fight will likely take place at either the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao beat Cotto in November, 2009 by 12th round TKO, but that fight took place at a 145-pound catch weight, two pounds below the welterweight maximum. Cotto has won three fights since then, all at 154 pounds. Pac Man has remained at the welterweight level and the fight may require Cotto to come back down to 147.

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum was said to be choosing from Cotto, Lamont Peterson, Timothy Bradley, and Juan Manuel Marquez for Manny’s next fight. Marquez, who lost to Pacquiao in November, is likely to face Peterson, who is coming off a controversial win over Amir Khan. The winner of that fight could face Manny next.

If you’re wondering how this all fits into the Manny Pacquiao/Floyd Mayweather Jr. context, get ready to get upset. Bob Arum said Manny wouldn’t be ready to for a May 5th fight because he wasn’t allowed to begin sparring until April because of a wound that needs to heal. Yet somehow he’ll be ready to fight five weeks later. Right, that really makes a lot of sense.

UPDATE: Miguel Cotto has denied the report, saying “Do not pay attention to rumors. I have not made any decision yet nor reached any deal regarding my next fight. At the appropriate time, I will directly be announcing my next fight. I am discussing and analyzing options with my team.”

Even if Cotto denies the report, Satterfield has proven to be a trusted reporter when it comes to Bob Arum fighters. We take the report to indicate that this is who Top Rank wants Manny to face.

The negotiations between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao about a potential fight are just becoming comical now. Floyd began baiting Manny over Twitter last week and he’s so desperate for the fight to take place before he goes to jail, he even called the Filipino bruiser this week.

“I called him and asked him about us fighting May 5 and giving the World what they want to see,” Floyd said in an email to ESPN. “I also let him know we both can make a lot of money. He ask about a 50/50 split and I told him no that can’t happen, but what can happen is you can make more money fighting me then you have made in your career. I also let him know I’m in control on my side but he needs to get on the same page with his promoter so we can make this fight happen.”

The message continued: “I told him to tell his promoter that he only wants to fight Mayweather and that this fight will be the biggest fight in history. His manger came to my boxing gym a few months ago and we spoke about getting the defamation of character lawsuit dropped against me and about both fighters taking the random blood and urine test. I spoke to his manager again last night about the same thing. The call last night lasted 15 or 20 minutes. I mainly spoke to his manager he got on and off the phone real quick.”

It’s no surprise that Floyd won’t allow a 50-50 split. He was the champion and bigger draw before Manny’s popularity exploded, and he is undefeated. He’s also cocky and arrogant whereas Manny is more of a generous humanitarian.

This shouldn’t be an issue because Manny reportedly said in December that he was willing to take less than Floyd. The next matter is for Manny to take control of his future and tell Bob Arum what to do, just like Floyd said. But let’s not forget: seeing this fight happen is still a dream. There are many more obstacles than there should be.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. knows that his fight with Manny Pacquiao won’t happen before he goes to jail, so he’s talking as much crap as possible to make himself look like a badass. Witness the tweet Mayweather sent Tuesday saying May 5th is Manny Pacquiao ass whooping day:

With strong statements like that, is there any wonder why his fans love him? Just one question for you, Floyd: If you felt this confident all along, then why were you ducking Pac Man for so long?

Mayweather also tweeted Tuesday “I’m ready to fight Pacquiao 5/5/12 Bob Arum know the date can’t change I have my guarantee call Schaefer & Al and stop lying to the public.”

It’s nice and all, but we all know that won’t change anything. Bob Arum is coming up with every excuse possible to keep this fight from happening before Floyd goes to jail.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. must be really confident that he can beat Manny Pacquiao. After all, anyone who follows boxing knows that Floyd only makes fights he knows he can win.

Floyd has been baiting Pac Man through social media all week. On Tuesday, he issued a call out of Pacquiao. On Wednesday, it was more of the same.

“I’m ready to put my belt up. What about you Manny Pacquiao? Let’s make history,” he tweeted, with the picture above accompanying the message.

Like I said, Money must have seen something in Pacquiao’s latest fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, because he wouldn’t be pursuing this fight so vigorously otherwise.