» “I feel him and his trainer should be banned for life.” —Freddie Roach. Antonio Margarito vs Manny Pacquiao? Looks like Roach is singing a different tune now.

Yankee Stadium Boxing Revives as Foreman Defends Belt » Yuri Foreman says he sees no contradiction in being a religious scholar and a world-class boxer… Mason Levinson, www.businessweek.com

In Former Champion Cotto, Steward Sees Room For Improvement »  NEW YORK— The black SUV eased around a corner and settled into spot just in front of the Trinity Boxing Club. First out of the car was Miguel Cotto, the ex-welterweight king wearing a familiar Puerto Rican colored jacket and even more familiar cool expression. Trailing him is his longtime friend and PR boss Bryan Perez, a Big Punisher lookalike whose sheer size suggests he doesn’t share the rippled Cotto’s love for workouts. Alongside him Joe Santiago, Cotto’s longtime cornerman and one-time trainer who counts himself as one of Cotto’s most trusted advisors. • The last man out of the car is not so familiar; at least not with Team Cotto. Emanuel Steward has built a brilliant career as one of boxing’s best trainers, having worked with past legends like Tommy Hearns and Lennox Lewis to current champions like Wladimir Klitschko… Chris Mannix, sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Checking In With Andre Ward Ahead Of Allan Green Clash » On Thursday, TSS took a nice drive through Oakland and ended up at Kings Gym to watch Andre Ward train for his upcoming showdown against Allan Green on June 19th. Ward was fresh off of a 13 round sparring session when I got ahold of him… Raymond Markarian, www.thesweetscience.com

Photos: Cotto/Foreman by Chris Farina; Ward by Howard Schatz

» COTTO: ROAD TO THE BRONX, THE ARENA (EP.5)
HEAVY.com  follows along as Miguel Ángel Cotto prepares for his battle against undefeated Israeli boxer Yuri Foreman for the WBA light middleweight title on June 5, 2010 at Yankee Stadium. In this episode Cotto meets the Yankees and explores the arena for his upcoming fight.

» COTTO: ROAD TO THE BRONX, RECHARGED (EP.4)
» COTTO: ROAD TO THE BRONX,  CAMP (EP.3)
» COTTO: ROAD TO THE BRONX, JUNITO (EP.2)
» COTTO: ROAD TO THE BRONX, REDEMPTION (EP.1)

Haye Promises Historic Knockout » David Haye has vowed to produce “one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time” when he attempts to win Nikolai Valuev’s WBA heavyweight title on Saturday. • Londoner Haye is aiming to secure a portion of the so-called “richest prize in sport”, but to do that he must beat a man who stands nearly a foot taller than him at 7ft 2ins and who has never been down on the canvas in his 16-year professional career… Source: The Press Association, www.google.com

Don King And Mike Tyson Make Nice At Las Vegas Boxing Event: Boxing Insider » No one promotes a fight like Don King. • His Hairness returned to Las Vegas on Saturday — Halloween — for the first time in four years to put on the inaugural boxing card at Treasure Island. While the nationally televised show had its share of action in the ring, the real news was King making nice with Mike Tyson, a surprise commentator for the Showtime telecast… Source: www.cleveland.com

Manny Pacquiao Vs. Miguel Cotto: The Next Super-Fight » On Nov. 14th, two of the biggest stars in boxing will face-off for a PPV super-fight.  Super-fights are something special in boxing; they are the types of fights that get the general public to pay attention to the sport of boxing. • I go through a few different phases for super-fights: • PHASE 1: Going into a big fight like this I always envision an epic battle between two gladiators, blood and guts warriors, grit, sweat, anger, and any other adjectives that sound tough and manly! I blog about what an amazing ballsy, kick-butt fight it will be. I talk to whoever will listen about my expectations, scientific analysis, and true gut feelings.  This is a great phase to be in… Bryan Brennan, www.nesn.com

Tyson photo by Time/Life ©

Cloud: “My Goal Is To Destroy My Opponent By Any Means Necessary” » Tavoris Cloud understands Chad Dawson’s logic. • Though his shot at the man widely perceived as the world’s best 175-pounder has been two times delayed while Dawson sought pricier quarry, the unbeaten Florida-born slugger bears the incumbent IBO champion no ill will… LYLE FITZSIMMONS, www.miamiherald.com

Roach: Pacman Will Expose Cotto » Renowned trainer Freddie Roach believes Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto will be exposed when he tangles with Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao on November 14 in Las Vegas… Salven Lagumbay, globalnation.inquirer.net

Hector Camacho Jr.: No Fortunate Son » The 48-3-1 (27 KOs) boxer looks to step out of his dad’s footsteps; says “I am proud to be a fighter…” Ryan Bates, www.411mania.com

Cotto Ready For Long Grind » MANILA, Philippines – Fitness expert Phil Landman, tasked to make sure that Miguel Cotto will be in the best shape possible for his Nov. 14 clash with Manny Pacquiao, is now with the WBO welterweight champion in his training quarters in Puerto Rico… Abac Cordero, www.philstar.com

Haye Gets Valuev Green Light » David Haye’s WBA heavyweight title challenge against Nikolay Valuev will go ahead on November 7 after former champion John Ruiz agreed to end his campaign to scupper the fight… Source: The Press Association.

Top Amateur Boxer Geffrard Has Sights On 2012 Olympics » Five years ago, a friend took Steve Geffrard to the Boca Raton PAL gym to lift weights for football. • His Haitian grandmother had signed him up for the Boca Jets youth program thinking he may have a future in football and chance at a college scholarship. • “I think she wanted to keep me off the streets and out of trouble,” Geffrard said. “I was just about to start playing football when I saw the boxing ring and everyone working out. • “I picked up a jump rope and that was it…” Sharon Robb, www.sun-sentinel.com

Poster by Brian Brobbey-Griffiths; David Haye photo by Dan Wilton.

» Cassius Clay™ by No Mas. Price: $44.00

» Ring Magazine Jake LaMotta Tee. Price: $39.00

» Ecko Miguel Cotto Body Shot T-Shirt. Price: $24.00 

Many of you saw the great photo by Howard Schatz in Sports Illustrated after the Cotto/Clottey bout at Madison Square Garden last month. Howard is pleased to share with you more photos from that classic fight. See gallery here »

To view many other photos already created for the Boxing Book, we invite you to visit: http://www.howardschatz.com/index.php?gallery=BOXING::2::1

Welcome to “Gloves Off”, where you will read only the truth about boxing here. At least the truth the way I see it and more importantly, the way I hear it from the boxers, the sport’s shotcallers, boxing insiders who go on record and the occasional paying fan who in his own way supports the financial purses at both the big PPV events and the local club scene. Any press release passing as an interview will be duly noted. Any boxing writer, website, or fans’ outpost will be called out for praise or as is sadly often the case, stretching the truth in lieu of THE TRUTH. I spent two years working with Joe Pistone, the real life “Donnie Brasco”, portrayed by Johnny Depp in the film. There I learned the truth has three sides: yours, mine, and the ABSOLUTE TRUTH (and the truth about “Donnie Brasco” was that Al Pacino’s character, Benjamin “Lefty Guns” Ruggerio may have been “whacked” in the film, but was healthy enough in real life to attend the film’s premiere in February, 1997.) Read more »

(Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)