The Roar » Adam Santarossa

Mayweather and Pacquiao have shamed boxing

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:58:05 +0000

Well. Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao is back on the boxing conversation list yet again. You’re probably wondering why what would be the biggest fight ever held is so hard to arrange. It’s a valid question.

If only I had a dollar for every time I the subject has come up, I might even be able to pay for the match myself. It’s a contest that is set to break all financial records, if it ever goes ahead.

Mayweather versus Pacquiao is the easiest sell known to man – or at least to everyone but the two men who will do battle in the ring.

After five years we are still locked in political and egotistical struggle between the two. Somewhere along the line, the sport that made both men millionaires was lost.

Both camps look at the potential millions on offer to them, but with only the winner taking the spoils, that isn’t quite enough.

Never mind the fact that each man is set to take away $100 million dollars minimum for just lacing up his gloves. What concerns both parties is what will happen to the loser.

There is an old adage used in the world of sports marketing, ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’. It’s the reason why New York Giants jerseys are the hardest to find right now.

The winner of the biggest fight ever will take home millions through endorsements and media coverage generated from their victory, and the loser will see a sizeable chunk come out of their future box office revenue.

For so long, the narrative of Mayweather-Pacquiao has had us all tuned in to witness the next twist in the tale, with millions of us paying for the privilege and thus lining the pockets of both men from our pay per view buys.

When the final chapter is written, and we finally have a winner, one man will see those earnings skyrocket, while the loser becomes second best.

Despite the chance for both men to be validated as No.1 pound for pound, and to hold multiple world titles, and to finally officially be able to call themselves the best fighter in the world, it isn’t enough. That fact sadly epitomises what boxing has become.

Since the dawn of time, two men have been able to settle their differences with their fists, devoid of colour, creed, science or society’s labels, where a man’s heart mattered more than training, income, education or opportunity.

It’s a sport in which a black man who couldn’t get service at a local restaurant became the most loved fighter of all time.

It’s a sport where a street kid who had been lost to society fought his way to a heavyweight title and the millions that came along the way.

The boxing ring is the ultimate proving ground, and one that gives no mercy. Some leave with less than when they arrived, while others leave with much more than their wildest dreams had allowed. But it all started with two men lacing up their gloves with a desire to see who the better man was.

It’s ironic for a sport that has lived and breathed out of the gambling capital of the world, under the bright lights of Las Vegas, that neither man is willing to take the gamble.

What is even more ironic and harder to comprehend is that it would be a gamble from which everybody wins. Everyone except for one of the two fighters.

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Article link: Mayweather and Pacquiao have shamed boxing. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Australian boxing set for a big year in 2012

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:59:23 +0000

In 2011, Australian boxing witnessed a changing of the guard. For a sport which recently has relied on the likes of Anthony Mundine and Danny Green for media exposure and box office appeal, 2011 saw peripheral fighters stride to centre stage. It saw the crowning of new world champions in Daniel Geale, Billy Dib and [...]

Article link: Australian boxing set for a big year in 2012. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Lesnar vs Overeem: UFC 141 Main Event Live blog

Adam Santarossa — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:14:57 +0000

You cannot ask for a better way to ring in the New Year: Brock Lesnar vs Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. Join us for the final and one of the biggest fights of 2011 for the UFC. The fight will answer many questions, and will determine the man to face new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Junior [...]

Article link: Lesnar vs Overeem: UFC 141 Main Event Live blog. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Danny Green back to prove himself, again

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:56:17 +0000

As Danny Green prepares to step into the ring with Krysztof Wlodarczyk on Wednesday night, it presents a chance for the Australian to finally capture a title which has long eluded him. The WBC title is one that has eluded Green his entire career. Sure he tasted the WBC interim title, but that’s like saying [...]

Article link: Danny Green back to prove himself, again. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Boxing: Too late to save the sweet science from itself?

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:12:55 +0000

Boxing fans yesterday witnessed the sport of boxing give itself yet another low blow, as the Manny Pacquiao farce gave 150 million people around the world a reason to give up on the sport for good. Just a few short hours earlier, the UFC strode onto network TV for the first time, and saw that [...]

Article link: Boxing: Too late to save the sweet science from itself?. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Mundine vs Alvarez: The Man too slick for El Espanol

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:04:01 +0000

You can tell a lot about a fighter by the way he prepares, and the way he comes to the ring. When the broadcaster cuts to the dressing room and you see Rigberto Alvarez, gloved up and dancing with his team, led by a Mariachi Band to “La Bamba”, you sense something is amiss. Alvarez [...]

Article link: Mundine vs Alvarez: The Man too slick for El Espanol. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Mundine vs Alvarez: Live blog

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:05:49 +0000

Anthony Mundine takes on Rigoberto Alvarez tonight in Newcastle, with both men are aiming for a shot at current interim WBA Junior Middleweight Champion, Austin Trout. Join us tonight for live updates, scoring and blog from 7:00pm with all undercard results for Mundine vs Alvarez.

Mundine vs Alvarez: Hunting the big fish

Adam Santarossa — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:08:41 +0000

Anthony Mundine - AAP

Anthony Mundine (42-4-0) and Rigoberto Alvarez (27-3-0) meet in Newcastle on Wednesday night, both looking to secure themselves a world title shot.

Mundine vs Alvarez: Live blog

Why the Wallabies will win it all in 2015

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:56:39 +0000

This is a message for every Australian crying into their Weetbix this morning: make sure you keep a record of every single New Zealander who has a crack at you in the next few weeks. The reason? The Wallabies will win the World Cup in 2015. Now I know we have not even begun a [...]

Article link: Why the Wallabies will win it all in 2015. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Everybody hates Floyd Mayweather

Adam Santarossa — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:02:39 +0000

So another Floyd Mayweather fight has come and gone and yet again Floyd Mayweather emerges as public enemy number one, not to mention the top trending topic on Twitter. Yet again he is the name on everyone’s lips. Unfortunately for Mayweather, not a lot of it is complimentary. The internet was awash yesterday with people [...]

Article link: Everybody hates Floyd Mayweather. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Kewell and Neill won’t make the plane to Brazil 2014

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:47:29 +0000

There is no question that football fans in Australia are passionate. But whether they like it or not, mark my words, Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill will not be on the plane to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Kewell is an obvious one. He limped his way to the 2006 World Cup, and crawled [...]

Article link: Kewell and Neill won’t make the plane to Brazil 2014. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

UFC 133: Brian Ebersole interview

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:20:01 +0000

Adam Santarossa talks to Australian based fighter Brian Ebersole for The Roar ahead of his fight at UFC 133 this weekend. Brian Ebersole is a man who clearly lets actions speak louder than words. He is a man whose plan is to steamroll through any opponent on his way to the UFC title. Whether by [...]

Article link: UFC 133: Brian Ebersole interview. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

What’s next for the Green Machine?

Adam Santarossa — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:10:58 +0000

A wise man once told me that the best time to watch any fighter is when he is hungry, when he is struggling to pay the bills, when he is fighting for respect, when he is fighting to be noticed and step away from the other pretenders, and before the bright lights and dollar signs [...]

Article link: What’s next for the Green Machine?. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Tarver winds back the clock in stunning upset [video]

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:48:57 +0000

Antonio ‘The Magic Man’ Tarver pulled off the biggest upset of the year so far with a stunning knockout victory of IBO cruiserweight champion, Danny Green, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre tonight. Tarver went into the fight a significant outsider in Australian betting markets, and most pre-fight predictions, including that of yours truly, felt Tarver [...]

Article link: Tarver winds back the clock in stunning upset [video]. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hyder says Green wants to hurt Tarver

Adam Santarossa — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:51:48 +0000

We talk to Angelo Hyder, trainer of Danny “The Green Machine” Green, ahead of tomorrow’s big IBO Cruiserweight world title fight with “The Magic Man” Antonio Tarver. Adam Santarossa for The Roar – Angelo, we are hours away from the fight, how is Danny looking? Angelo Hyder: He is looking real good mate, he is [...]

Article link: Hyder says Green wants to hurt Tarver. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Green vs Tarver: Barry Michael’s take on the fight

Adam Santarossa — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:31:11 +0000

We caught up with former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion and Main Event Boxing commentator, Barry Michael, to get his thoughts on tomorrow nights, Danny Green-Antonio Tarver fight and also speak about his charger, New Zealand cruiserweight, Shane Cameron. Adam Santarossa for The Roar: Barry we are all here ahead of the big fight tomorrow [...]

Article link: Green vs Tarver: Barry Michael’s take on the fight. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Danny Green vs Antonio Tarver: preview

Adam Santarossa — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:32:52 +0000

The lure of the Danny Green versus Antonio Tarver, IBO Cruiserweight world title fight, is that you simply don’t know what you are going to get. Antonio Tarver could well be another Roy Jones. A man who came to Australia, a shell of a fighter he once was, with plenty of hype and all the [...]

Article link: Danny Green vs Antonio Tarver: preview. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

UFC 132 review: It’s a knockout

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 06:27:05 +0000

After some stunning preliminary fights which saw Aussie Lightweight George Sotiropoulos KO’d just 59 seconds into the first round and blistering performance by Melvin Guillard who took home a knockout victory, once UFC 132 kicked into gear the knockouts and excitement only continued. Carlos Condit vs Dong Hyun Kim Carlos Condit continued the early theme [...]

Article link: UFC 132 review: It’s a knockout. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

George Sotiropoulos fights for respect [Interview]

Adam Santarossa — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:21:01 +0000

The worst thing about being a fighter is that there are no second chances. A loss is forever engraved on your record. No ounce of blood, pain or hard work can wipe it away. George Sotiropoulos’ last bout was a loss he wasn’t meant to have. UFC 132 gives him another shot.

UFC 131: Opportunity knocks

Adam Santarossa — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:44:05 +0000

Whilst UFC 131 was dealt a major blow with the withdrawal of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar from the main event, it has done a pretty good job of re-tuning to give us something almost as exciting.

UFC injury crisis just the nature of the beast

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:42:35 +0000

The UFC has recently seen two of its most hyped cards of 2011 decimated through injury. UFC 130 was dealt a massive blow when the much anticipated rematch between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard was postponed due to injuries to each fighter.

Soward, Dugan will be Blues’ Origin Players

Adam Santarossa — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:40:34 +0000

The clearest evidence yet that NSW have a brand new attitude is in their selection of players for State of Origin 2011 game one.

Pacquiao vs Mosley preview: Sugar Shane can shock the world

Adam Santarossa — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:05:03 +0000

Going into Sunday’s clash with Manny Pacquiao for the WBO Welterweight Title, no one gives Shane Mosley a chance. Las Vegas bookies have him at 8/1 odds, whilst other bookmakers that are slightly less legitimate have him even longer. A Shane Mosley victory on Sunday may shock the world, but it won’t come as a [...]

Article link: Pacquiao vs Mosley preview: Sugar Shane can shock the world. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

UFC 129 review of the main card

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 01 May 2011 22:38:31 +0000

If I was asked to some up UFC 129 in one word, then I would probably go with… wow! The fans were treated to an action packed night of fights, will a particularly explosive batch of undercard fights, with the only blip in my eyes being the Main event. The opening fight of the PPV [...]

Article link: UFC 129 review of the main card. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

UFC 129 preview: GSP, Aldo, Couture

Adam Santarossa — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:49:42 +0000

The next few UFC pay per views have fight fans everywhere salivating, kicking off with a bumper UFC 129. UFC 129 eminates from the 55,000 capacity Rogers Centre in Toronto, making UFC 129 the biggest attendance in UFC history. The event sold out in a matter of minutes and with a card as good as [...]

Article link: UFC 129 preview: GSP, Aldo, Couture. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Why the NRL’s ANZAC Day needs a facelift

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:28:56 +0000

Monday saw 90,000 fans pack into the MCG and witness a gripping encounter between two of the traditional AFL powerhouses and most supported teams in the league. Meanwhile, in Sydney, 34,976 fans filled the Sydney Football Stadium. In Melbourne, the ANZAC Day clash was the hottest ticket in town. Infact on Tuesday I recieved an [...]

Article link: Why the NRL’s ANZAC Day needs a facelift. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Geale’s chance to show he is the real deal

Adam Santarossa — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:47:14 +0000

Daniel Geale always struggles to get the limelight. In recent years, Geale has climbed his way up the rankings, yet gone largely unnoticed as he has competed for exposure with names such as Mundine, Green, Briggs, and Darchinyan. On the day of his fight with Roman Karmazin, all the crowd were talking about was either [...]

Article link: Geale’s chance to show he is the real deal. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Only obstacle for St Pierre-Silva is ego

Adam Santarossa — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:12:49 +0000

A fight between Anderson “The Spider” Silva and George “Rush” St Pierre, the two best pound for pound fighters in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, is something every fight fan dreams of one day seeing. Unlike combat sports’ other big Super fight, the much anticipated fight between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, it [...]

Article link: Only obstacle for St Pierre-Silva is ego. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Mundine and Green: the farce that is Australian boxing

Adam Santarossa — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:58:44 +0000

To borrow a line from former Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, “It’s the loss Australian Boxing has to have. Garth Wood must defeat Anthony Mundine next Wednesday night, and end the farce, that Australian Boxing has become.”

Why Fevola is worth the punt

Adam Santarossa — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:08:56 +0000

After yesterdays sacking by the Brisbane Lions, in my opinion only two options remain for Brendan Fevola to salvage his career. They are: Greater Western Sydney Giants and the NFL. I feel Brendan Fevola would help GWS massively, as playing for GWS would help Fevola. He would be an experienced player, amidst a GWS List [...]

Article link: Why Fevola is worth the punt. Written by Adam Santarossa, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion