They’re Giving This Fight A Hook  Manny Pacquiao versus Oscar De La Hoya has a chance to become the most chewed-on boxing match since Tyson versus Holyfield. • It is still 19 days until the celebrated pair steps into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas for what has become the most anticipated 12 rounds of the year. But the slings and arrows of pre-fight propaganda have been flying for some time now… BILL DWYRE, www.latimes.com

Boxing Club Holds Tryouts  For the past two weekends, Penn State students have stepped into the ring in Room 52 of the White Building trying to earn a spot on the boxing team. • Nearly 50 people packed themselves into the basement room during each of the tryouts on Nov. 8 and 16, which determined who would be added to the team to replace the boxers lost from last year. About 30 percent of the nearly 50 people who tried out are expected to make the team… Ryan Loy, www.collegian.psu.edu

(Photos— De la Hoya: Tom Hogan; Boxing tryouts: Michael Felletter)

Haye Happy To Do Things His Way - Former cruiserweight boxer believes it made sense to move up to heavyweight  In the days after David Haye knocked out Enzo Maccarinelli in March to win his third version of the world cruiserweight title the messages and offers started to pile up. Haye was simply too big for the cruiserweight division and there were a lot of people in the business desperate to turn Haye into a heavyweight. He listened and nodded but he had his own plans and was soon back near Girne in Northern Cyprus to begin his big push… Steve Bunce, www.independent.co.uk 

Calzaghe Sr Says Fear Of Boredom May Persuade Joe To Keep Boxing  Joe Calzaghe’s determination to retire following his unanimous points victory over Roy Jones Jr on Saturday appears to be softening after his father and coach, Enzo, yesterday insisted the fighter had not made a final decision on his future and could well continue in an attempt to avoid “boredom”… Sachin Nakrani, www.guardian.co.uk

Oscar De La Hoya Takes On All Comers At Media Day  There was a good omen the other day at Oscar De La Hoya’s training camp. The venerable boxer stayed on his feet for more than two hours. • Not that the 35-year-old De La Hoya has spent all that much time on his back in a 16-year career of 44 fights and 39 wins. But the talk has been hot and heavy that De La Hoya’s Dec. 6 opponent, the younger and harder-punching Manny Pacquiao, 29, is thinking knockout more than decision… BILL DWYRE, www.latimes.com

In 5 years time the best fighters will be? —R_9-Ronaldo, www.boxingforum.com/boxing-forum-general-discussion (18 replies) • Zab should retire? —Xplosive, fightbeat.com/forums (8 replies) • Is Arturo Gatti Hall of Fame worthy? —Mark TKO, www.saddoboxing.com/boxingforum (32 replies)

Holyfield Says ‘Time Is Running Out’  The end might actually be near for Evander Holyfield. It won’t arrive, however, without one more title shot. • Holyfield, who said he plans to retire by the end of 2009, will meet 7-foot Russian Nikolai Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title Dec. 20 in Zurich, Switzerland. Final contracts are expected to be signed before the end of the week… Jeff Schultz, www.ajc.com

Roach: Oscar - Not Me - Lost Mayweather Bout  MANILA, Philippines— If Oscar de la Hoya loses on December 6, Freddie Roach won’t feel bad about getting blamed for it. • Roach said in an international media-conference call on Monday that de la Hoya blamed him for losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007. • The Hall of Fame trainer rejected de la Hoya’s claims, saying de la Hoya strayed from using his bread and butter, the jab… DOMINIC MENOR, www.gmanews.tv

Champion To Stay Amateur  Rau’shee Warren, the world champion flyweight, has decided to stay in the amateur ranks for four more years in an attempt to become the first three-time Olympian in United States history. Warren, a three-time national champion, was the first two-time American Olympic fighter in 30 years when he lost a 1-point decision in his Beijing opener. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joe Cool Plays Jazz

By Distinio Lois, Jr.

After all was said and done, Roy Jones, Jr. known as Superman, sold the boxing world the Brooklyn Bridge when he repeatedly stated at the final press conference (and I believed him) that he had the perfect formula to defeat World Super Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight Champion, Joe Calzaghe, last Saturday at Madison Square Garden. …go to blog

The Brilliance Of Bernard Hopkins  After he had completed his 12 round whitewash of Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins stared out into press row and gave us guys behind the laptops his best Graterford State Penitentiary glare. For a good minute or so, he stood frozen, his eyes never even blinking once. He didn’t need to really say anything - we all got the message, loud and clear. This was jailhouse communication from the man who served five years in that joint for strong-armed robbery beginning as a 17-year old in 1984. He had proved us wrong once again. In giving yet another career-defining performance at age 43 - versus a fighter who was 17 years his junior - he proved he was/is a prizefighter that could’ve competed in any era of boxing… Steve Kim, maxboxing.com

Calzaghe Speaks Out On Pavlik Vs Hopkins  Cardiff, Wales (October 20, 2008)—As he continues to prepare for his November 8 “Battle of the Superpowers” against Roy Jones, Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City and live on HBO Pay-Per-View, undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe took a quick break from training to share his thoughts on Saturday night’s tremendous victory for Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik.  Here is what he had to say:

“I said all along Kelly Pavlik was overrated, overhyped and hadn’t done anything in his career to a warrant a fight with me…

Tales From The Fight Game (Ep 5): Willpower. NYC fighter Will Rosinsky has his professional debut at B.B. Kings in Times Square. (10/08)

Episode 4: Kushner/Quillin

Episode 3: Pt 2— Gary “Kid” Stark, Jr. • Pt 1— Gary “Kid” Stark, Jr. 

Episode 2: Gotham Boxing • Episode 1: Kid Chocolate

Pre-Fight preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Iran “The Blade” Barkley (Former Middleweight Champion Of The World). 

Part 1: Pavlik vs. Hopkins     

Pre-Fight predictions and preview with some of boxing’s top journalist and personalities including Bert Sugar (ESPN) and Ed Mulholland (Fightwireimages.com).

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Oscar De La Hoya At 35 Still Attracts Crowds, Sells Tickets  Oscar De La Hoya was in a car, on his way into San Francisco where the Golden Gate awaited. • He was pretty sure of that, because on this day alone he and Manny Pacquiao had already done the Houston space centre and paid a visit to the Alamo, where a boisterous crowd sprinkled liberally with female admirers waited patiently in the hot sun for his arrival… Tim Dahlberg, canadianpress.google.com