Straight from the Sports Desk

I always relish in the ability to watch boxer Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao get into the ring to do his thing.

Funny thing though, I didn't know he was going to fight on Saturday night until Friday evening. To make matters worse, I didn't even know he moved up to lightweight.

With all that, I wasn't aware there was all this hoopla regarding whether or not he is pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world today now that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is out of the sport.

I'm not even going to try and put my two-cents worth in that argument because of the sheer fact I'm just a casual boxing fan. When I was younger, I was all over it, but now, it's merely a treat to see a fight on television.

But, from what I saw of Pacquiao's beating of David Diaz on Saturday night, I just might get back into watching the sport regularly.

Why am I so interested in Pacquiao you may be wondering?

First, he's a Filipino boxer, born and raised in the Philippines

Me? I'm a Filipino Sports Editor over at the Eureka Times-Standard newspaper, born and raised in the Philippines.

There aren't that many outstanding Philippine athletes you hear about over here in the United States -- especially now that I have been living in Humboldt County for five years, no disrespect intended to the county, I love it up here -- so I relish in the fact PacMan is starting to become a well-known athlete in the world of boxing.

Add into the fact Pacquiao started his career 13 years ago as a 106-pound teenager -- he's 29 now and weighed in at 135-pounds for the Diaz fight -- his story is pretty interesting without taking his nationality into consideration.

Second, his matches are never dull. They are filled with bruising hits, classic crowd reactions and blood.

And being Filipino, my family in Southern California was all over the tube to see PacMan in action.

I have to be honest though.

I didn't get to see the fight live. Instead, I had to work setting up pages, placing photos and stories, as well as writing some for Sunday's edition of the T-S. But I did keep an extra window open with ESPN's round-by-round tracker of the fight.

While I didn't get to see the visuals, that would come later, the description of the slugfest was more than enough.

As soon as Diaz went down in the 9th round, I got some calls from friends and family.

It was time to see the visual carnage.

Sifting through the Associated Press photo wire on AP Exchange of the fight, the still images capture how brutal Pacquiao's drubbing of DIaz was. In the early round photos, Diaz was clean as whistle -- face wise. By the later portions, his face literally looked like raw hamburger. And if his bloody face wasn't enough, Diaz trunks -- which were a pristine white at the beginning -- became a pinky-rose color due to the drops coming from his face.

At that point, I hopped onto Youtube.com and low and behold, users have put up rounds of the fight and I got to see it in all its glory.

The way PacMan responded to Diaz punches was remarkable and utterly scary.

Like a loan shark charging an absurd amount of interest, PacMan landed four to six punches to Diaz one.

Despite being the thicker and bigger athlete -- body wise -- Diaz had no answer for Pacquiao's lighting quick punches and shifty evasive maneuvers.

Which is amazing in itself because one would logically assume Pacquiao's speed would be diminished with his rise to a heavier weight class.

No dice there.

"It was his speed," Diaz said after the fight. "It was all his speed. I could see the punches perfectly, but he was just too fast. He boxed me more than I thought he was going to box."

But I will say this, Diaz has a heart of a lion. No matter how bad the beating, no matter how bloody he got, Diaz kept coming. Even though I'm slanted towards the corner of PacMan, I don't hesitate on giving Diaz his due, he showcased courage rarely seen in the boxing world.

With the win, PacMan is etched into the history books. By toppling DIaz for the WBC Lightweight belt, Pacquiao has captured his fourth world title at a different weight, the first Asian-born fighter to accomplish such a feat.

Like I said at the beginning, there aren't that many Filipino athletes I can keep a track of here in the U.S. and its good to see one of the Philippines best and brightest is keeping me in the loop.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (757)

Forget all the talk about a potential hold out.

The Oakland Raiders signed Darren McFadden to a six-year deal late Thursday night.

According to ESPN's John Clayton, the Raiders and McFadden worked out a six-year, $60 million contract which guarantees the No. 4 overall pick and former Arkansas tailback $26 million. According to Corkran's story, the Raiders are scheduled to have a press conference on Friday at 11 p.m. (Eastern I believe) to officially announce the deal.

The Contra Costa Times -- and Raiders beat reporter -- Steve Corkran also confirmed the signing but did not go into specifics. He too said the $26 million guaranteed figure was accurate through an unnamed Raiders' source.

The signing is a step in the right direction for Oakland as they avoid a potential disaster (see quarterback Jamarcus Russell's contract fiasco a year ago), although it might not be much a surprise after all.

Showing a passion not very common amongst top draft picks, the 6-foot-2, 205 pound McFadden went on the record through several interviews that he wanted to make a deal as quickly as possible as he does not want to miss a second of training camp. He constantly said he would like his agent to get the job done soon. It appeared he was not as concerned with the money as other player/agent combos and that probably played a huge part in the accelerated negotiations.

In fact, McFadden's agent, Ian Greengross, was in attendance along with McFadden's mom and step-dad at the Raiders recent minicamp. It could have been seen then as hopeful thinking the Raiders and Greengross would come to an agreement on a deal so soon, but now, it's a done deal.

The quickness of the deal is reminiscent of the contract then first-round pick Napolean Kaufman struck when he was drafted. Kaufman and the Raiders agreed to a contract in May.

McFadden joins a very crowded backfield in Oakland, but, he has the talent and passion to move steadily up the depth chart and potential combine with six-year vet Justin Fargas to create a potentially explosve one-two punch. Add last year's fourth-round pick Michael Bush into the mix and the Raiders could be set at the running back spot for a long time to come. Bush, a much bigger and thicker back at 6-foot-2, 247 pounds, can become the thunder to Fargas' (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) and McFadden's lightning.

It now appears Oakland has to trim some of the contract fat (LaMont Jordan) remaining on the team now they have another blockbuster contract on the growing list.

Owner Al Davis has been spending like a man possessed in re-signing players and brining in new ones through free agency.

Landing McFadden to a monster deal could be seen as Davis perhaps making his last hurray as his age and health concerns lessen is effectiveness as the long-time Raiders' figure head.

Either way, it should make interesting television when the Raiders are on. They now have the talent offensively to put up the points. Offensive line coach Tom Cable did a more than adequate job of fixing the Raiders' offensive line. Now with a true home-run threat in the back field, just maybe, the Raiders can get a double-digit touchdown running back.

The addition of McFadden also takes a load off of second-year QB Russell's shoulders. With a proven running back in Fargas in the mold and McFadden and Bush in the mix as well, the Raiders get the chance to rely on the run rather than force Russell to fling the ball all over the place. Now JaMarcus has a better chance of growing in the offense. And with a lackluster list of wide receivers at his disposal, Russell's growth will have its fair share of pains.

The only sure-thing in Russell's arsenal at this point are his tailbacks and second-year tight end Zach Miller who had a 44 catch, 444 yard, three touchdown year as a rookie. He made for a reliable target for Russell in the latter portion of the season and the two should only grow in that department.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 01:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (574)

How do I think the Lakers/Celtics NBA finals will play out?

Try this on for size -- Lakers in 7.

There's no doubt about this one, Los Angeles will leave the Celtics feeling green.

Long before the NBA playoffs officially got underway, I told anybody willing to listen, a Lakers vs. Celtics matchup was the only way to go when it came down to which teams two teams would be left fighting for the championship.

The history between the two teams is epic (this is the 11th time the two teams have met in the NBA finals) , the players on each squad just as fantastic. In my eyes, this was the only proper way to close the NBA season: Boston's Big Three vs. Kobe, Gasol and Odom. How can it get any better than that?

While I believe the Lakers will win the series, I don't doubt for a second the Celtics will make it very difficult for Kobe and company to hoist a championship trophy.

Boston's talent demands this series be a hard-fought battle.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have given Paul Pierce exactly what he needed to topple the Eastern Conference's mighty Pistons. And one cannot ignore Rajon Rando's emergence as a key piece in the Celtic's arsenal of talent.

Garnett poses an intimidating and dangerous player for the Lakers to defend. He's big, aggressive, fast and downright mean at times. He can pound you inside without mercy and he can also hit the mid-range jumper. KG's also a terror on the boards and a nightmare for teams trying to score.

Allen is a cerebral veteran who is a proven sharp-shooter who can snipe the oppositions momentum and swing it back in the Celtics' favor.

Pierce, the heart-and-soul of the team, can take Boston on his back and sprint to victory by exploding offensively, consistently putting up points.

But the Lakers have the ultimate weapon -- No. 24.

While Los Angeles has freely admitted to the horrifying matchup Garnett poses for them, the same can be said about how scary trying to stop Kobe Bryant is for the Celtics.

The NBA's Most Valuable Player can do it all.

Put up points, check. Grab some boards, check. Play some suffocating defense, check. Hit the clutch game-winner, double check.

Bryant's ability to absolutely detonate offensively on opposing teams is simply ludicrous at times. When teams try to stop him, he still finds a way to get the job done.

Teams can only slow him, not shut him down. And even when Kobe has is 'off' nights, the stats he compiles would be a great night for any other NBA starter.

Now that he has Pau Gasol backing him up, the offensive burden has been eased off of Kobe's shoulders, and now that they're a championship on the line, everyone watching is about to see greatness at work -- and this comes from someone who despises the Lakers.

Growing up in Long Beach, the Lakers were the clear-cut choice in my family. I don't know when it happened, but it did, I started to dislike Los Angeles.

But not even that can cloud the fact Kobe is going to lead Los Angeles to another title and his fourth overall.

And if you think history will help Boston capture an NBA title, think again.

Hats off to the Celtics for winning the first eight finals meetings between the two, who won the last two?

Ladies and gentlemen, Kobe's about to make it three.

Add to the fact that Lakers' coach Phil Jackson is in the pursuit of coaching history, Los Angeles has to be the hands down favorite.

What history you ask?

Check this out: Jackson is currently tied with legendary coach Red Auerbach for titles with nine. If Jackson leads his Lakers past Boston, he'll pass the former Celtic coach and president for most titles for an NBA head coach.

It's only fitting Jackson will become the all-time leader amongst NBA coaches for titles against the vaunted Celtics.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 01:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (431)

All I needed to see was an inning or two.

Long before I got up from my seat and headed back to the office to layout the pages, I knew, without a single shred of doubt, the game I was watching, was over.

That's how I felt while watching Arcata senior pitcher D.J. Hancock and St. Bernard's junior gunslinger Andrew Ayers go to work during the North Coast Section baseball playoffs over the past week and a half.

As I witnessed Arcata senior pitcher D.J. Hancock masterfully use his array of pitches in combination with both an overhand and sidearm delivery against Tamalpais during the NCS Class 2A semifinal on May 25, I had a feeling the game wasn't going to be a long one.

Sitting there with fellow sports dude Neil Tarpey and watching Hancock's curve ball come barreling toward the plate way out in the strike zone before resting squarely in the catchers' mitt for a strike, I knew it was going to be a great night for the Tigers.

I had the same feeling while watching Ayers on the mound for St. Bernard's against International during the NCS Class B championship game on June 1. Like Hancock, Ayers was on his game, rifling fast balls, curve balls and changeups at International batters. While he may have had a shaky moment early on with his control, the Crusader quickly recovered and dominated.

During both games, I left at the onset of the fourth inning. I didn't need to stay, I knew both games were over.

But, I would have never guessed both would throw no-hitters. While I had the privilege and honor of seeing both gunslingers at work early on, Tarpey got to see each athlete bask in the glory of a no-no.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 01:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (594)

Many fans have been asking for it, and it appears, it's just around the corner.

Losing favor as quickly as he gained it, running back LaMont Jordan's time in Oakland is coming to an end.

According to the Oakland Tribune's Jerry McDonald and several other sources, Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin reportedly told Jordan during the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday the tailback would not be practicing and he is free to find a new home.

With a very crowded backfield (Oakland has Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Joe Echemandu, rookie Louis Rankin and soon-to-be added No. 4 overall pick Darren McFadden in the stable) backfield, Jordan by all intents and purposes is the odd-man out.

After suffering a lower back injury against Miami last season, Jordan was quickly pushed into the shadows by Fargas. The ex-Trojan took the starting spot and literally ran with it. Fargas' reckless running style lead to his first 1,000 yard season and new three-year deal with the Raiders. "Huggie Bears son" is locked as the Raiders starter as of now and with a plethora of younger talent behind him, Jordan is all but gone. His $4.7 million cap number surely doesn't help his cause.

Jordan was a popular free agent signee back in 2005. Inking a five-year, $27.5 million contract after playing backup to Curtis Martin during his tenure with the Jets, the ex-Maryland standout earned his pay in his first season in the Silver and Black. Rushing for 1,025 yard for nine touchdowns as well as grabbing 70 passes for 563 yards and two scores, Jordan seemed to be the solution at running back for the Raiders after Charlie Garner bought out his contract and left Oakland.

However, Jordan's penchant for injury quickly wore on fans and his subpar outing during the 2006 season (434 yards and one touchdown) didn't help matters.

But when Kiffin became the new Raiders head coach last season and he installed the zone blocking scheme, Jordan recaptured his form, even leading the league in rushing at one point. Then, it came crashing down -- he got hurt again.

With Fargas at the helm and Michael Bush and Darren McFadden looking to earn some playing time, Jordan is being shown the door. Oakland had Dominic Rhodes (who is now back in the Colts' stable) at one point and released him once Oakland selected McFadden in the draft.

But, like all things Raider, the man in charge makes the final decisions.

Jordan will be gone, when Al Davis says so.

There's still one major obstacle between Jordan heading out the door into free agency or another team via trade -- there are rumors Davis is deathly afraid his free-agent prize three season ago will end up with a division foe, the Broncos.

While one can argue Jordan will have a hard time finding work elsewhere, all a team has too look at was his early 2007 performance before he hurt is back. With Denver cutting ties with their No. 1 tailback Travis Henry earlier this week, Jordan may be appealing to the Broncos. Denver even uses the same zone-blocking scheme the Raiders do, and there's nothing more dangerous than a running back with a grudge.

But if Davis has confidence in his players and coaches, cutting ties with Jordan is surely the way to go. Having a disgruntled employee who is making beaucoup bucks ($4.7 million isn't chump change, it's way too much for a backup anyhow) isn't healthy for an organization. Davis can turn right around and use the money saved on inking McFadden to a deal.

While fans have been screaming for Davis to finally get rid Jordan, don't be surprised if the old man finds a way to keep him on the roster.

I mean, who would have thought Mr. Raider himself would go on a shopping spree during free agency and assemble what I like to call the All-ACL Team. (read up on the injuries of WRs Javon Walker and Drew Carter, DT Tommy Kelly, etc.)

Anything is possible in the Black Hole.

Posted by Ray Aspuria at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (676)