It's not a fight boxing fans were hoping for, but the news that Shane Mosley has won the latest  Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes is certainly not a surprise. All signs pointed to the former champion as Top Rank's choice for the May 7 Vegas date, and while many hoped either Juan Manuel Marquez or Andre Berto would get the call, it sounds like neither were ever truly in the running.

Very few followers of the sweet science truly believe this will be a competitive fight, but Top Rank and Pacquiao will make their money, and Mosley will too.  This is hardly something to look forward to for the rest of us, but we'll save further complaints for a later date.  For now let's take a look around the net for more reaction to the fight...

Bad Left Hook - Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley Done for May 7

The fight is sure to draw criticism, and rightly so. Mosley is old and looked worn out this year. While it's worth asking who else was really available, I would point to Andre Berto, though with the admission that Berto is nowhere near Mosley's star level. Our friend Corey Erdman spoke with Lou DiBella, Berto's promoter, and Lou said, "It was never a true sweepstakes. [Pacquiao-Mosley] is not a surprise. Smart business, but maybe not good for boxing."

Boxing Scene - How Pacquaio vs Mosley Impacts The Rest Of The Sport

Depending upon whom you ask, news of Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley agreeing to terms for a May 7 showdown is a dream come true or the worst possible scenario.

Popular opinion leads far more towards the latter. When you think about who wins and who loses in the aftermath of Tuesday’s announcement, it’s easy to understand why.

The winners from this event do not make for a very extensive list.

ESPN - Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley a bad fight for boxing

Forget all the nonsense we've heard since Pacquiao beat down Antonio Margarito, about how Pacquiao's next opponent was going to come from a list of Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto.

The real list was more like Mosley, Mosley and Mosley. But Arum had to include a couple of other names so he could leverage Mosley into believing it was a competition and, therefore, drive down his price. Mosley is desperate for the fight after being beaten almost as badly in his recent divorce settlement as he will be by Pacquiao, who should have put his foot down and demanded a better fight. Make no mistake: Pacquiao is culpable here, too.

Boxing FanHouse - Bob Arum: Shane Mosley-Manny Pacquiao 'Most Sellable Fight'

How much did the obviously strained relationship between Top Rank Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions factor into the negotiations, as well as the asking price of the purse demands of Juan Manuel Marquez?

Bob Arum: Golden Boy, they agreed to step aside and to allow us to promote a third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. They gave us the call on everything that we wanted. So that was not an obstacle.

But what was an obstacle was that they had priced themselves so high, that it was something that Manny became offended about. They were asking for more than double the money that they made when Marquez fought and lost to Floyd Mayweather.

I don't think that that was fair or that it was right, and Marquez, because of that, was a non-starter.

LATimes.com - Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley said to be a done deal

Marquez's promoter, Richard Schaefer, said he proposed to Arum that if a Pacquiao-Marquez III bout generated a pay-per-view audience of 1.2 million, Marquez, 37, would collect $5 from every buyer beyond 500,000 for an $8.5-million purse. Pacquiao and Top Rank would earn more than $28 million — "More than fair," Schaefer said.

"Good luck to [Mosley]," Schaefer said Tuesday. "He turned his back on Golden Boy, so be it. Everybody moves on. It is what it is. There's nothing I can do but wish him luck."

Bernard Hopkins returns to the ring Saturday night against world 175lb champion Jean Pascal, in what could be the challenger's last hurrah on the big stage.

Has age finally caught up to Hopkins, or are the Philadelphia legend's cagey skills still good enough to get the job done?

The betting odds seem to indicate most believe he doesn't have enough left in the tank to topple the Canadian, but there was of course a similar sentiment leading up to the night Hopkins faced off against Kelly Pavlik.  We all saw how that went for the Youngstown fighter; does the current light-heavyweight king have a similar fate in store for him?

Pascal certainly has his vulnerabilities, but he'll also have plenty going for him when the fighters step into the ring.  There's youth of course, and a significant speed edge, but perhaps most importantly, he'll be fighting in front of a sold-out Quebec City crowd.  Just how much the atmosphere will help Pascal remains to be seen, but given how he outperformed expectations last time out against Chad Dawson in front of a loud supportive gathering in Montreal, one can expect the crowd to give the champion a boost.

As an aside, Pascal still has an outside chance at 2010's Fighter of the Year honors.  Though Sergio Martinez looks to have a very strong case for the award, Pascal can still make a good argument  for his own credentials with a win over Hopkins, especially if he does so emphatically.

Let's take a look around the net for more on Saturday's championship contest...

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Jean Pascal v. Bernard Hopkins

Hopkins' stamina also deserves questioning now, I think. He looked awful against Roy Jones Jr. in April. Roy barely did anything and Hopkins barely did anything more. I do not question Bernard's dedication or his training at all, but his age. He's 46 years old in a month and doesn't have the wind he used to. It's natural.

That said, Bernard has advantages, and big ones. He's a much smarter fighter. Pascal's leap in-leap out strategy against Dawson is unlikely to work so well on Hopkins, who won't be afraid to rough up the younger man. Both take punches well, but Hopkins hasn't been hurt in years. Hopkins makes up for his lack of hand speed and power at 175 with his IQ.

The Queensbury Rules - Not Pretty, But Pretty Meaningful: Jean Pascal Vs. Bernard Hopkins Preview And Prediction

But Pascal showed something against Dawson that few knew he had in him: He could actually box a little. Yes, it was awkward, and Dawson probably should have figured out Pascal's bull-like charges earlier than he did. But Pascal also countered well, and he proved harder to hit than he had in the past. He was definitely in Dawson's league speed-wise, and punched harder overall. He's always had a big heart, as he showed against Froch and especially in that shoulder injury fight against Diaconu. I wonder whether his muscle-bound frame contributed to some late stamina issues against Dawson, or if it was simply a matter of Dawson turning it on late after investing in a body attack. If it's a body attack thing, then Pascal could be in trouble, because Hopkins will hurt him to the body.

Violent Meditation - Arbitrary Barrage - Pascal vs. Hopkins

It's only fair to point out that Hopkins could literally get old overnight, being that fighting once a year only makes it more likely that we're surprised by a dreadfully shot performance from the guy who promised his dying mother he'd retire before the age of 42. While Pascal doesn't usually throw with the type of volume that would probably put Hopkins on the full defensive and prevent him from finding a groove, he still seems to have a handspeed advantage over the former undisputed middleweight champ. And a punch or two at a time may be enough to take one from Hopkins.

Boxing Scene - Bernard Hopkins: One More Execution Left To Go?

Hopkins beat Pavlik like he stole something, standing along the ring apron after the fight, glaring down at a press row daring enough to doubt him. He was ready with slices of crow for all.

A lengthy vacation, pedestrian comeback opponent, and ugly rivalry outing with Roy Jones later and here we are again. Only, this time, few seem to be biting. Oh, sure, there are those predicting a Pascal win, but the conviction isn’t what it was for those who saw Hopkins a sure loser for Trinidad, for Tarver, for Pavlik.

The aged wonder will have to overcome a lot to make history. He’s on hostile turf. Pascal has a marked advantage in hand speed. If Hopkins slows the fight down, makes it ugly, he could struggle to get the decision. Pascal, with his bursts of offense, could steal frames.

The Sweet Science - Hopkins Still Shaking A Stick At Old Age

If experience has anything to do with it, this is a one-sided fight. If youth counts for a lot, it could be a long night for both guys. And look for it to go the distance. Hopkins doesn’t win by knockout, he wins by attrition. He doesn’t lose by knockout, either. In all his fights, he’s only been on the canvas twice, and that was in a fight against Segundo Mercado 16 years ago. Since then, the only time Hopkins has been off his feet in the ring is between rounds.

“Pascal will be surprised when he learns he can’t hurt me,” Hopkins said. “He’ll be surprised that he is not fighting an old man. I’m a veteran. I can neutralize anything he does. We’ve got a long, long night coming.”

Montreal Gazette - Life in the fast lane just where Pascal expected to be

“He was always serious and trained hard, but started listening a lot more after the loss. That’s what’s needed at this level, and he knew he was close,” said trainer Marc Ramsay, who has been in Pascal’s corner since his amateur days. “He’s easy to work with because he’s ready to work hard. But he needs to know everything. You have to explain why and where something will bring us. And I think he’s a complete boxer, gifted by nature. He’s fast, his power is above average and he’s solid. He can fight, box and do a bit of everything.

“I always told him before that he was a dreamer. But now he’s a winner. That’s a big difference.”

Boxing Scene - Pascal: 175-Pound King is Still in Search Of Public Approval

But rather than receive full credit for bumping off perhaps the most talented young fighter in the game, Pascal was instead criticized for being on the verge of falling apart down the stretch.

Visions of that ending is what have people believing Hopkins will find a way to outlast the champion 17 years his younger. Most would take such a viewpoint as a sign of disrespect, or claim that they haven’t paid any attention to such talks.

Pascal not only acknowledges what’s being whispered in boxing circles, but actually views this weekend as one where he – and not Hopkins – is playing with house money.

Montreal Gazette - Pascal, Hopkins turn up the heat ahead of WBC title fight

"Listen, when I go to the States, you guys speak English," Pascal said. "I've got to speak English. There's no translation. Now, you're in my country. You're not home. This is my territory. In this town, we speak French."

Well, that certainly got everyone's attention. And with that, the fight was on. But just to make sure there would be no confusion, Hopkins grabbed the championship belt from the mayor, before a scheduled photo-opportunity, and seemed reluctant to return it to its rightful holder. Pascal got in Hopkins's face, snarled, made some threats that couldn't be overheard and pushed him, a little, before they were separated.

Hopefully, the fight will be this entertaining.

USATODAY.com - Hopkins, 45, pops teeth in, says Pascal underestimates him

"The mayor of Quebec had (Pascal's) belts in his hand, getting ready to take pictures," Hopkins says, "and I figured, if the mayor is worthy of holding the belt, I might as well get my hands on the leather and feel it and get used to holding it.

"And of course the young lion came over and said, 'I want my belts. I want my belts.' It reminded me of a Philly school playground situation, 'I want my ball, I want my ball.' I said, 'Hey, you'll get your ball. I just want to feel it.'

"So he counts to three. 'Give me my belt. If I don't get my belt at the count of three. .. He said 1-2-3. I still had the belt in my hands. Obviously I didn't go for that okey-doke. And now he's messed up. Don't he understand that I got it from Muhammad Ali? I pulled off the biggest heist when it comes to intimidation."

CBC.ca - Pascal, Hopkins get heated at fight presser

"He's playing head games," Pascal said.

"It's a game of intimidation. But it doesn't work. I've got a very good psychologist. I was prepared for it."

For his part, Hopkins didn't have much to say, limiting his comments to a terse "Enjoy the fight."

Pascal was still smarting from Hopkins' description of him on Tuesday night as an "idiot."

"Hopkins said he was intelligent and that I'm an idiot," Pascal noted. "Well, we'll see who the idiot is at the end of the fight."

Up and coming Abner Mares takes on veteran slugger Vic Darchinyan in the second of tonight's Showtime bantamweight tournament match-ups.

As a solidly built natural bantam, it's no surprise to see Mares enter as the betting favorite.  Darchinyan struggled in his one major 118lb clash against Joseph Agbeko, and he'll be giving away a clear edge in reach to the young Mexican fighter.  Along with the physical advantages, Mares has youth on his side and his fresher legs could prove key in allowing him to dictate where he wants to take the fight.

Of course, Darchinyan faced many of these same obstacles when he took on Cristian Mijares a little over two years ago in a 115lb clash.  Younger and technically superior, with a similar reach edge to the one Mares will enjoy, Mijares proved no match for the aggressive Darchinyan, eventually succumbing in nine rounds.

Is Mares too big and too good?  Or can the Aussie based Armenian upset the odds once more?  It's a intriguing fight, in what promises to be a great little tournament.

For more from The Boxing Bulletin on this match-up, check out Patrick Connor's preview: Showtime Bantamweight Tournament: Vic Darchinyan vs Abner Mares Preview

For further analyis and pre-fight buzz, let's take a look around the net...

Bad Left Hook Fight Picks: Khan-Maidana, Ortiz-Peterson, Showtime Bantamweights

I think this one depends almost entirely on which Darchinyan shows up. If it's the Vic Darchinyan who boxes his way into those openings for his brutal, cartoonish power shots, I think he does well and wins this fight. If it's the Darchinyan who believes he's God's most fearsome creature, I think Mares could stay patient and pick him apart, racking up rounds en route to a decision win. Mares is a good boxer and he can war a bit, but he does not want to get into a fight with Darchinyan. He's going to want to box him. I don't think he can survive a slugfest, but I do think he can edge out a win even if the smart Darchinyan shows up. But my gut is telling me that Mares gets dragged into the kind of fight that's just no good for him. My gut could have s**t for brains. Darchinyan TKO-8

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Amir Khan Vs. Marcos Maidana, Victor Ortiz Vs. Lamont Peterson And The Showtime Bantamweight Tournament

All that Mares needs is for his chin to hold up, and he proved he had a good one against Perez. But if he gets too bold, he could find himself in trouble. I like the idea of Mares taking the fight to Darchinyan, which is likely to force him into a brawl where he'll revert to wild crab man. Then, I think Darchinyan makes a mistake and gets caught, a la Nonito Donaire. I'll pick Mares -- a fighter I'm very high on -- to win by knockout, say in the 8th. Not that I don't still love big-mouthed, big-punching Vic, too.

The Boxing Tribune - The Bantamweights

Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs)– Considered talented with an elite-level skill set, some questioned Mares’ grit and resolve against the top level fighters in the division. That question was answered with his grueling battle against Perez. This Saturday, he faces Vic Darchinyan as part of Showtime’s bantamweight tournament.

Vic Darchinyan (35-2-1, 27 KOs)– Some say that the Armenian Crab King slugger has lost some of his pop since moving up to bantamweight, but it’s hard to say that after only two official bouts at 118. The former 112 and 115lb. champ is an angry brawler by nature and will always come to fight. With one close loss to Agbeko on his 118 lb. resume, he enters the bantamweight tournament fresh and wanting to redeem himself. He faces Abner Mares this weekend.

Max Boxing - Mares Meets Darchinyan

Seeing Mares work with trainer Clemente Medina, he just looks like a fighter ready to break out. While Darchinyan has the pedigree and résumé, Mares is the natural bantamweight and he has youth on his side.

"He had about 150 rounds of sparring," said Medina, who pointed out that they worked with the likes of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Giovani Segura leading into this fight. "So I think he’s grown more confident because he told me, he started with me, ’I’ll win a world championship with you.’ Mentally, he’s very good; physically he’s 100-percent." The trainer knows that Darchinyan is still a dangerous foe, one that can turn the tide with punch. "Vic Darchinyan is a strong guy. He’s older than Mares. Mares has more skills, a little bigger than him. I know the power is there; Mares will have to be intelligent at moments but Abner has everything to win."

Inside Fights - Bantamweight Tournament Preview & Picks

Trent Pusey: I am excited for this fight. I really want to see the growth of Abner Mares but honestly, I’d watch Vic Darchinyan fight just about anyone. Darchinyan will push the action against Mares and the question will be how the younger Mexican responds. I see Darchinyan taking the early rounds and Mares surviving to a point where he takes over after a bad start. Mares will take the decision in what hopefully will be an exciting war. 115-113.

Boxing FanHouse - Agbeko, Darchinyan, Mares, Perez Stoke Showtime Tourney

"I think that my power definitely is underestimated, and I don't think that a lot of people see me as a power puncher. And, really, I'm not. But, there is power behind my punches, and I'm just ready for this fight," said Mares.

"Again, Darchinyan is a great fighter who has proven a lot. But all that I can say is that I've trained really hard. I'm ready mentally and physically," said Mares. "Darchinyan gets to say all that he wants, but I think that my speed is just going to overwhelm him. I think that it's my time to shine. "

Max Boxing - Vic-torious or Vic-tim?

At age 34, a loss would do irrevocable damage to Darchinyan’s career. Two consecutive televised losses afford other highly rated boxers, in two weight classes, an excuse to avoid challenges Darchinyan is certain to lay down. Age is of little concern to the former champ, who believes hard work and the right mental attitude leads to triumphs. "It doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s about how confident and how you come to fight and your hunger. If your hunger has gone, you should retire." Darchinyan brought that hunger with him, traveling to America early to avoid any possibility of jet lag. Darchinyan has been at his California camp since early November. "I did all my sparring in Australia but when I came here, I just worked on my legs, my movement and my speed. All my hard sparring was in Australia. He will fight me and I will be very good, fast and strong. He is going to remember me."

Yonnhy Perez and Jospeh Agbeko lead off Showtime's bantamweight tournament Saturday night in a rematch of one of 2009's best fights.  Given the almost perfect mesh of styles, another gruelling encounter is expected with Perez matching his sharp countering skills against Agbeko's steady aggression.

Though Perez had a clear edge on the scorecards in the first meeting, the rounds were all hotly contested and a slight swing in Agbeko's favor this time around could be just enough to turn the tables.  Or maybe with the benefit of twelve rounds to gauge his opponent, Perez will pick apart Agbeko's pressure in even more convincing fashion.  Either way, chances are we'll be treated to another bruising battle.

Check out The Boxing Bulletin's preview: Showtime Bantamweight Tournament: Yonnhy Perez vs Joseph Agbeko Preview

For more on the 118lb showdown, let's take a look around the net...

Bad Left Hook Fight Picks: Khan-Maidana, Ortiz-Peterson, Showtime Bantamweights

This is a rematch of a 2009 Fight of the Year contender, which was also the last time Agbeko (27-2, 22 KO) fought. Agbeko was coming off of a big win over Vic Darchinyan early in the year, while Perez was at the time a relative unknown. The incredible punch output from both men made for a wonderful fight, but one I also felt that, as far as a scorecard goes, Perez won handily. He was, in a way, just a superior version of Agbeko. That's about what I expect on Saturday, too. With Agbeko having been off for about 14 months and Perez having since fought a heck of a good battle with Abner Mares in May, I just think Perez is going to be too sharp, too good for "King Kong." But I also admit that in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the first Agbeko fight was as good as Perez can do. He's a very effective swarmer, but he's far from unbeatable. Perez UD-12

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Amir Khan Vs. Marcos Maidana, Victor Ortiz Vs. Lamont Peterson And The Showtime Bantamweight Tournament

That's still a fair amount of ground for King Kong Agbeko (his actual birth name, no kiddin') to make up. I had Perez winning eight of the 12 rounds of their first fight, and two judges had it nine rounds to three. He needs at least two more than the first time to get a draw, which, if you're wondering, would lead Showtime to pick which fighter moves on to the winner's bracket. But I don't think it comes to that. Give me Perez in the rematch by a slightly closer unanimous decision. And count on it to be another action-packed 12 rounds.

Max Boxing - Joseph Agbeko is Coming to Regain What is His

It’s been three years since Ghana’s Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko, 27-2 (22), burst onto the big-time boxing scene and gave the bantamweight division a jolt, upsetting Luis Perez in September of 2007 to take the IBF bantamweight title in an upset. That fight, a co-feature to Chad Dawson vs. Epifanio Mendoza, in Sacramento, CA’s Arco Arena, was the first night anyone had heard of or even seen Agbeko, unless you were really into the bantamweights before that. I was present that night and what I remember most about Agbeko was his aggression, his hunger, and the sense that he was a man who traveled all the way from Africa to get this title and here, he was making his dream come true. When the doctor advised Perez’s corner to stop the bout after the seventh round, I remember having not seen some one celebrate like Agbeko did before. This was akin to watching a person win the lottery or seeing a man find out "It’s a boy!" The whole room cheered for Agbeko, who they did not know but had grown to love over the course of his seven hard rounds of work.

The Boxing Tribune - The Bantamweights

Yonnhy Perez (20-0-1, 14 KO) (IBF Champ)– One of the sport’s most underrated stars, Perez can box, brawl and pretty much do a little of everything. He emerged on the scene with a TKO 12 stoppage of Silence Mabuza and then went on to beat Joseph Agbeko for the IBF title in a Fight of the Year candidate. Perez would then battle well-regarded prospect, Abner Mares, to a draw earlier in 2010. The Colombian native is set to face Joseph Agbeko in a re-match Saturday, the 11th, as part of Showtime’s bantamweight tournament.

Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs)– Ghana’s Agbeko has established himself as one of the division’s hardcore, hard-working warriors. With punches in bunches and some crafty veteran moves (some borderline illegal), he already holds an impressive win over Darchinyan. This Saturday, as part of the Showtime tourney, he faces Yonnhy Perez in a rematch of their 2009 FOY candidate.

Inside Fights - Bantamweight Tournament Preview & Picks

Trent Pusey: I’m not digging the fact that Agbeko hasn’t fought in over a year. Yonnhy Perez finished strong against Agbeko the first time around. I expect a good start from Perez this time around and Agbeko being more desperate this time around. Lots of jabbing in this one from Perez as he keeps the rusty Agbeko at a distance for most of the fight. 118-110 for Perez.

ESPN - It's Showtime for bantam's best

The winners will meet in the first half of 2011 in the final with the losers also due to meet in a consolation fight on the undercard. In the event of a draw in either semifinal, the participants in the final are at Showtime's discretion.

"I think we have four of the top 118-pounders in the world and I don't think there's a bad matchup in the bunch," Showtime boxing chief Ken Hershman said. "When we looked at the various configurations, we couldn't figure out where we wanted to go, and that to me is exactly what you want. You don't go into the fight knowing who's going to win, who's not going to win."

Like he did in the Super Six, Hershman was able to get multiple promoters to work together, in this case Gary Shaw (Darchinyan and co-promoter of Perez), Golden Boy (Mares), Don King (Agbeko) and Thompson Boxing (co-promoter of Perez).

While Amir Khan vs Marcos Maidana is the feature attraction of Saturday night's HBO double-header, the show's opening clash between Victor Ortiz and Lamont Peterson has a chance to be the better and more entertaining fight.  Ortiz can really crack, while the well-rounded Peterson doesn't mind mixing it up and the potential is there for the 140lb contenders to deliver some quality action.

Plenty is on the line as well for both fighters.  Ortiz is in the process of trying to rebuild his image following last year's upset loss to Maidana, while Peterson is still trying to establish his credentials as a legitimate threat in the division, having come up short in his one big chance against Timothy Bradley.

Is Ortiz still the kind of aggressive bankable fighter he showed glimpses of before Maidana?  Is Peterson a real championship talent, or maybe just a lower top level 10 fighter?

We should have a better idea of both men's future capabilities after Saturday night's battle.  For now let's take a look around the net at some of the pre-fight buzz...

Bad Left Hook Fight Picks: Khan-Maidana, Ortiz-Peterson, Showtime Bantamweights

Peterson has the speed and skills to test Ortiz, who has boxed a bit more "within himself" since Maidana broke his will. Against Campbell and Hector Alatorre, Ortiz laid off the gas pedal substantially and never really went for the knockout, though he did finally turn it up and finish off Alatorre in the final round of their fight.

Ortiz has talent, but a win over Peterson would definitely be the best of his career to date. Peterson is in his prime at age 26, has height (5'9") equal to Ortiz and reach (74" to 70") in his favor, and can box. This is in some ways a make-or-break contest for both men. A loss for Ortiz really, really hurts his stock, and hiding him against washed-up fighters or never-weres won't be acceptable anymore. A loss for Peterson drops him to fringe contender status.

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Amir Khan Vs. Marcos Maidana, Victor Ortiz Vs. Lamont Peterson And The Showtime Bantamweight Tournament

Both men are fast here, and both men can box well, so things match up fairly evenly in that regard. Peterson is longer-armed and probably a bit better defensively. Under fire early against Bradley, Peterson fought his ass off, maybe too much, because he got off his game plan, too. But he's got the heart edge for that reason. Ortiz' heart will be pissed upon until he proves himself in a sticky situation, given how he quit against Maidana. Where Ortiz really has the edge is in power -- he has fight-changing stuff, while Peterson only has knockouts in half his wins despite mostly fighting journeymen.

The Cruelest Sport - Golden Boy Promotions and The Muhammad Ali Act….Again?

Was Team Peterson "coerced?" Or did they willingly agree to sign some sort of options contract in order to land a major fight on HBO?

And is there really a difference between the two? After all, Peterson has already seen some of the darker aspects of the boxing business, and may be merely giving in to the status quo.

ESPN - Lamont Peterson jumps at chance to fight Victor Ortiz

So when the Golden Boy and HBO search for an Ortiz opponent reached three deep, they looked to Lamont Peterson to see if he was interested.

Interested? How about so interested that Peterson (28-1, 14 KOs) and Hunter accepted the fight without knowing any terms other than the opponent and date. They hadn't asked about the money. Didn't know how many rounds it would be scheduled for (it's 10). Didn't know about options on Peterson's future fights, which would be important since he was a promotional free agent after his contract with Top Rank had expired.

The way Peterson saw it, all of that would get worked out. He just wanted to fight and put himself back in the position for a championship and big money.

Boxing FanHouse - Victor Ortiz-Lamont Peterson: A Fight For Redemption

"To me, I fought terribly, but I learned a lot as far as preparing for a fight. A lot of times, I think that I was training so hard to the point where I was taking the fight out of me before I even got into the ring," said Peterson, who takes a record of 28-1, with 14 knockouts against Ortiz.

"But anytime that you fight, of course you're going to feel as though you learned something and you've gotten a little better," said Peterson. "So I've just kind of learned to prepare without beating myself up."

The victory launched Bradley (27-0, 11 knockouts) into a deal with HBO, which, two fights later, has the Pasadena Springs, Calif., resident positioned for a $1 million pay day on Jan. 29 opposite southpaw Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 ) at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Peterson (28-1, 14 KOs) struggled to get fights.

ESPN - Victor Ortiz completely past Marcos Maidana meltdown

"I still to this day haven't seen the fight," he says. "After that knockdown, I don't even remember getting up. I thought I was asleep."

The lack of recollection perhaps has helped him move on.

"That happened that night and I left it there. Never took it home with me," he says.

But he recognizes that maybe what happened to him that night was a signal.

"Maybe I started thinking I was getting too good too fast, but I was grounded pretty quick," he says. "Every fight since my defeat, I just pay greater attention to my coaches and work on my mistakes. I have a lot of confidence in my team right now, because I haven't slacked at all. I followed my diet, I followed my training regimen, I listened to all my coaches."

Doghouse Boxing - The Rehabilitation of Victor Ortiz

In fact, Ortiz says not that much was taken from his loss to Maidana.

"I really didn't learn a whole lot besides the fact that any fighter can have an off-night," he said. "That's the only thing I learned. That was it."

Whether it was denial or the fact that Ortiz is a tad annoyed at the constant second-guessing that has come with that loss, he seems to have a rather dismissive attitude of what took place that night and how it may or may not have shaped him. But it's clear; a win over Peterson re-legitimizes him in the eyes of many fans and pundits.

"Absolutely," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy. "I think after he lost against Maidana, we brought him back and he performed spectacularly in those fights and now this is another step-up. This is a big step up; this is a giant step and so we'll see after Saturday night where Victor is. He beats Peterson, he's right back where he was."

It's been a little over two years since Amir Khan's stunning opening round KO loss to unheralded Colombian puncher Bredis Prescott.  Since then, the lightning fast 2004 Olympian has bounced back to win five in row and establish his credentials as one of the sport's brightest talents.

An impressive recovery, though noticeably missing from the Khan's recent conquests is the type of puncher that can test just how far Khan has truly progressed.  Is he really an elite talent capable of soon being the man at 140lbs?  Or will the Khan's chin hold him back from future greatness?

Enter Saturday night's opponent, Marcos Maidana.  While the Argentinean brawler has his limitations, punching power isn't one of them.  Maidana can crack, and his relentness nature inside the ropes should test Khan's resolve in a way that the likes of Paulie Malignaggi or Andriy Kotelnik weren't able to.

Will Khan emerge unscathed as the winner, or even turn in the kind of star making performance many believe he's capable of?  Or can Maidana upset the flashy Brit's future plans with one wild right hand?

We'll find out Saturday night.  For now let's take a quick look around the net at some pre-fight buzz for the junior-welterweight clash...

Bad Left Hook - TV and Internet Fight Schedule - Weekend of December 11

Khan-Maidana is a study in contrasts. Maidana might be the biggest pound for pound puncher in the world right now. Khan almost certainly has the worst chin for any elite level fighter out there. Khan might be the fastest fighter in the world right now, while Maidana's speed is middling at best. I doubt either Scott or I can tell you what you don't already know - Khan has way too much class for Maidana, but Maidana has way too much power for Khan. The result of this fight is 100% dependent on whether Maidana can catch up with Khan and sufficiently tag him on the chin to knock him out.

Boxing Scene - Fighting Words - Chin it to win it: Overcoming the Knockout

As with Klitschko, and as every top fighter should do, Khan has worked to use his advantages to mask his disadvantages. In his case, Khan is no longer opening himself up by trying to overwhelm and overpower his opponents, but rather using his speed to land his own shots while avoiding incoming punches.

Under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach, Khan is learning how to box better.

Now, as Klitschko did over time, Khan must also learn to conquer his demons. He will face Marcos Maidana this Saturday. As with the Prescott fight, Khan is facing a power puncher who will seek to shatter Khan’s chin first, his confidence second, his chances last.

The Independent - Old master Roach takes Khan back to school

"He looked a bit apprehensive but I could see some desire in his eyes and I knew that the defeat was his fault and had nothing to do with his opponent," claimed Roach, who is both successful and savage in his blunt appraisal of a fighter's ambitions and desires. On day two of Khan's life in the LA gym, Roach was perched on his familiar spot on the ring watching Pacquiao slowly ruin fighter after fighter when he suddenly called for Khan to get ready. There was, so the story goes, an unusual silence in the filthy fighting shrine.

"Some people came up and asked me if I knew what I was doing," added Roach. "It's my gym, it's my way. I wanted to see how much damage had been done. I wanted to see what Amir had left and I knew Manny would show me."

ESPN.co.uk - Lightning-quick light-heavyweight champion Amir Khan vows to outfox Marcos Maidana

"Speed always kills you know, I am sure my speed is going to take away his power," Khan told Sky Sports News. "He is a puncher but he is quite slow on his feet, but I am sure my speed will take that big right hand he has got away from him. Keep away from that and I think in the late rounds start putting my power into it and stop him."

Boxing Scene - Marcos Maidana Admits Concerns About "Khan's Speed"

"Training can be a bit boring, there are a lot of routines, but this is the only way to prepare properly. We have worked long and hard, both in the morning, and with physical preparations in the evenings in the boxing gym. I've wanted to get this fight for a long time and you start to get a little anxious. I am well prepared and confident," Maidana said.

"The sparring this time has been very good, with young fighters, who are strong and very fast. We always kept in mind that Khan is a fast fighter. I think he'll go running around the ring and spend most of his time trying to use the jab. And I will cut off the ring and try to work at mid-range and from a short distance, and throwing a lot of punches. I'm going to leave everything in the ring because I want to make the sport of boxing continue to grow in Argentina.

Daily Mail - Amir Khan is ready for Marcos Maidana showdown thanks to the A-Team

Duck Maidana? Khan would not think twice about facing Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

Of the American pretender to Pacquiao's pound- for-pound throne, Khan said: 'It would be a 50-50 fight between him and me at the moment. Assuming I beat Maidana and go on to unify this title by doing the same to the winner of Bradley and Devonshire, I will be ready to move up to welterweight and feel confident of beating Floyd.'

Roach confirmed: 'I used to have one fighter who will beat Mayweather if they ever get it on. Now I've got two. I've never been as great a fan of Floyd as many people seem to be and I know for sure that he has a problem against speed. Manny is way too quick for him.

'So is Amir and I would have no fear for him fighting Mayweather now.'

With Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. off tonight's Top Rank PPV, the main-event duties have fallen to a couple of far more established top-class fighters in Nonito Donaire and Wladimir Sidorenko.

Though heading into the 118lb battle as an 8 to 1 underdog, Sidorenko certainly has the credentials to offer a stern test for the Filipino Flash.  He brings a wealth of experience and solid all around game to the table, and while it might not be enough to earn the win, he should give us a good idea of whether Donaire is worthy of the P4P plaudits he's been receiving since toppling Vic Darchinyan back in 2007.

Check out The Boxing Bulletin's preview: Nonito Donaire vs Wladimir Sidorenko Preview

For more on tonight's bantamweight clash, let's take a look around the net...

Bad Left Hook Weekend Quick Picks: Saul Alvarez-Lovemore N'dou, Top Rank Pay-Per-View, and More

Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KO) is a good, technically sound fighter...but if Donaire is locked in and focused, he's going to overwhelm Sidorenko. Donaire definitely has a bantamweight body (he was quite a big flyweight) and the weight shouldn't be an issue for him -- shouldn't be. Sidorenko is also 34 years old and likely past his true prime. If Nonito screws around and overlooks Sidorenko, he could find himself in a fight. But I wouldn't expect that. Sidorenko is one of those guys who doesn't make many mistakes, but he also isn't special in any way. Donaire can be a special fighter. Donaire UD-12

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Saul Alvarez Vs. Lovemore N'dou, Nonito Donaire Vs. Volodymyr Sydorenko And Humberto Soto Vs. Urbano Antillon

Donaire gets sloppy sometimes, but he should be too fast for Sydorenko. I have no idea how powerful Donaire will be at the new weight, but Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell against Arthur Abraham and Amir Khan against Andriy Kotelnik demonstrated the best way to expose the high-guard/wait-for-it style is with speed and movement, which Donaire is built for. I anticipate some moments when things are going well for him and he slacks off, but Sydorenko should be able to remind him that's a bad idea. Devon Alexander's close call against Kotelnik is the example of how that style can be effective even against slick, fast guys. Give me Donaire by unanimous decision, maybe in the 116-112 range.

Boxing Scene - Donaire-Sidorenko, Soto-Antillon: The Pre-Report Card

The main event could set the stage for a huge showdown early next year between Donaire and unified titlist Fernando Montiel. Sidorenko will have something to say about it. He is, easily, the best fighter Donaire has faced since defeating Darchinyan in 2007.

Given Sidorenko’s proven quality at 118 lbs., against a former Flyweight titlist, he might be the just plain best fighter Donaire has faced. And yet, despite the longer tenure in the higher weight class, Sidorenko is likely to be the smaller man in the ring Saturday. Donaire has been squeezing a lot off a big frame (for the lower classes) and will have the edge in height and reach over Sidorenko.

Yahoo.com - Donaire puts big fight at risk by fighting Sidorenko

"We're in there against a tough guy and we have to come up with a good game plan. But Nonito's style and his footwork are perfect for either outboxing this guy and looking great against him, or even trying to go for a knockout if possible," Donaire's assistant trainer Roberto Garcia said. "I know that he's never been down or out, but Nonito has very good power so he can be the first to knock him out."

ESPN - Nonito Donaire wants to make statement ... and win

"Bob [Arum] and everybody are already talking about the fight with Montiel on Feb. 19, but we would never look past Sidorenko," Donaire said. "We have a tough opponent and I've been studying his tapes for the past couple of weeks. … He is not looking past his next opponent and we see great fights in the future, not only [against] Montiel."

411mania.com - Boxing Preview: Donaire vs. Sidorenko

"I have two plans to beat him," countered Sydorenko, who has been sparring with Vic Darchinyan for the last month to get ready for this bout: "I know he is a very skilled fighter. It's going to be tough challenge."

The irony that Sydorenko has been sparring with the man who has been calling out Donaire for the past three years does not escape anyone."We help each other," smiled Sydorenko. "Of course, I want Sydorenko to win," said Darchinyan last week after a spirited sparring session with a Ukrainian fighter at the Main Event Sports Club in Glendale:" But I want to be the first one to beat him." Would Sydorenko benefit from more than just sparring?

The Sweet Science - Donaire-Sidorenko, Soto-Antillon...Who Do Ya Like?

Arum said that for the last 1 ½ years, he’s been trying to get HBO to do lighter weight dates. He said he’s happy that HBO is onboard, as they’re putting on a Feb. 19 show, with Fernando Montiel versus Nonito Donaire. He said that the cabler will show more lighter guys, once they see how action-packed the bouts are, and how the fans lap it up. Arum said HBO knows it’s possible that Wlad Sidorenko upsets Donaire, and HBO has agreed to put Wlad on against the 24-1 Montiel (WBO, WBC bantam champ) if Wlad gets the upset win on Saturday. "He’s coming make no mistake about it to win this fight, because he knows what it means to him," Arum said of the Russian.

Boxing Scene - Donaire Looks To Write His Own Ticket as a PPV Headliner

Fighting on Manny Pacquiao undercards would have surely boosted Donaire's viewership - particularly in his target demographic. Yet, despite being the consensus second best Filipino-born fighter on the planet and being under the same promotional banner, Donaire has yet to see exposure on a Pacquiao undercard.

"That's the one thing that [Top Rank and I] have had huge arguments about. I've wanted him on the undercards of Pacquiao and he wants to be on the undercards, too. If he comes out and fights like he did against [Raul] Martinez, who he drilled [in four rounds], and that's the fight before Manny's fight all of those Filipino fans that are there for Manny will think think, 'Hey that guy isn't bad, I like him.'

"I think we've missed that by not fighting on his undercards, but [Top Rank President] Todd duBoef disagreed with me, and said that he should build his own following and Bob Arum felt the same way.

Humberto Soto faces his toughest test in years this Saturday night when he takes on fellow Mexican Urbano Antillon in a twelve round lightweight showdown.

The aggressive body punching Antillon was a fighter on the rise until running into Miguel Acosta last year, and it remains to be seen whether he'll attack with the same kind of intensity he did in the past.  Some fighters remain undaunted after being dropped heavily and stopped, while others lose a little bit of steam.

Soto looked like a potential star back in 2005 when he upset Rocky Juarez on HBO, but has failed to really move past the level he showed that night.  He's also changed gears a little over the last couple years, and appears less inclined to mix it up these days.  His style should still mesh well with Antillon's come forward approach and chances are we could see some real sparks - and perhaps the weekend's best fight.

Let's take a quick look around the net at some of the pre-fight buzz for the 135lb clash...

Bad Left Hook Weekend Quick Picks: Saul Alvarez-Lovemore N'dou, Top Rank Pay-Per-View, and More

This feels like one of those fights where I should pick Soto to lose again, because it feels overdue. But I get the feeling he'll prove to just be a better, more complete fighter than Antillon in this one. Antillon will still have a future after this, but I just think Soto's probably good enough to survive this stiff test. The next one might be the one that gets him, but I like "Zorrita" on Saturday, though he'll have his moments of real doubt. Soto UD-12

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Saul Alvarez Vs. Lovemore N'dou, Nonito Donaire Vs. Volodymyr Sydorenko And Humberto Soto Vs. Urbano Antillon

Soto very well could be in a tailspin, unless he was goofing off against people he expected to beat easily. Antillon's never beaten anyone all that impressive, but I like him here, or at least I like him more than I trust Soto is tip-top. Here's guessing that Antillon pulls off the narrow upset unanimous decision.

Boxing Scene - Donaire-Sidorenko, Soto-Antillon: The Pre-Report Card

There is also a skills gap visible between the two. Neither is great defensively but Soto keep his guard a little tighter and gets off just a hair quicker. Antillon is a sucker for a stiff jab throws his shots wider than Soto. Antillon has been at Lightweight longer but that won’t add up to a size difference worth considering in the ring.

Soto is unlikely to climb much higher than the middle of the elite Lightweight pack, but Antillon doesn’t appear ready for even the middle. In a crowd pleaser, a class gap should make the difference for Soto in a late stoppage or decision.

The Sweet Science - Donaire-Sidorenko, Soto-Antillon...Who Do Ya Like?

Arum said the winner of the Urbano Antillon-Humberto Soto fight, for Soto’s WBC lightweight championship, will get a date on Showtime, on Feb. 26 versus Brandon Rios. The No. 6 WBC Antillon (28-1), a bomber, said he’s had the best training camp ever and is confident he’ll get the Rios gig. "I’m going to bring it on Saturday and take home that crown," he said. Soto (58-7) thanked the media for covering the event, and said the fans will be the winner, that the bout will be a goodie.