SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The success of Manny Pacquiao is delivering a knockout blow to Filipino dreams of a first Olympic gold medal, with young boxers fast-tracking to the professional ranks in a desperate bid to escape poverty and emulate the success of their hero.

Manny Pinol, a former governor of North Cotabato and current manager of boxers through his Braveheart Boxing stable, says the success of the eight-weight world champion is hindering the amateur Olympic program at home.

Despite boasting a population of over 100 million and a love of boxing, the Philippines will send just one fighter to the London Olympics later this year – the same number as the tiny Seychelles – leaving little hope of adding to the three bronze and two silvers won by their boxers in previous Games.

All this while Pacquiao (welterweight), Nonito Donaire (super-bantamweight), Sonny Boy Jaro (flyweight), and Donnie Nietes (light flyweight) hold world titles in the pro ranks.

“Manny Pacquiao’s success is hurting our amateur boxing program because every young boy now would like to become Manny Pacquiao,” Pinol told Reuters in a recent interview in Singapore.

“They don’t want to be amateur because there is simply no money in it, it is just a dream of a (Olympic) gold and it is actually more difficult to win than a world boxing title.”

In the Philippines, the rags to riches story of Pacquiao, who came from a poverty stricken broken home to become the first man to win world titles in eight divisions, and then be elected a congressman, inspires a nation.

SINGAPORE, May 15 (Reuters) – The success of Manny Pacquiao is delivering a knockout blow to Filipino dreams of a first Olympic gold medal, with young boxers fast-tracking to the professional ranks in a desperate bid to escape poverty and emulate the success of their hero.

Manny Pinol, a former governor of North Cotabato and current manager of boxers through his Braveheart Boxing stable, says the success of the eight-weight world champion is hindering the amateur Olympic program at home.

Despite boasting a population of over 100 million and a love of boxing, the Philippines will send just one fighter to the London Olympics later this year – the same number as the tiny Seychelles – leaving little hope of adding to the three bronze and two silvers won by their boxers in previous Games.

All this while Pacquiao (welterweight), Nonito Donaire (super-bantamweight), Sonny Boy Jaro (flyweight), and Donnie Nietes (light flyweight) hold world titles in the pro ranks.

“Manny Pacquiao’s success is hurting our amateur boxing programme because every young boy now would like to become Manny Pacquiao,” Pinol told Reuters in a recent interview in Singapore.

“They don’t want to be amateur because there is simply no money in it, it is just a dream of a (Olympic) gold and it is actually more difficult to win than a world boxing title.”

In the Philippines, the rags to riches story of Pacquiao, who came from a poverty stricken broken home to become the first man to win world titles in eight divisions, and then be elected a congressman, inspires a nation.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Indonesia’s Chris John recorded a unanimous points decision victory over Japan’s Shoji Kimura to retain his WBA featherweight title for the 16th time in a heavily one-sided fight on Saturday.

Two judges scored the bout 118-109 for John, recently named the WBA’s fighter of the decade, with the third awarding it 117-110 to the undefeated Indonesian, much to the delight of the 4,000 fans at Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort in Singapore.

Baring a slight wobble in the seventh when Kimura rocked John with a big left hand, the Japanese offered little in attack as the 32-year-old Indonesian improved his record to 47-0-2 (22 knockouts).

“Yes, it was a big shock,” John told Reuters of Kimura’s sole telling blow which cut the champion. “I needed time, I did well to recover.”

Asked if he was happy with his performance John replied: “Could do better.”

John, making his first defence in Singapore, was a heavy favourite against his overmatched opponent Kimura (24-4-2, nine knockouts), who was content to just survive the 12 rounds against his more skilled adversary.

After landing a couple of sharp jabs and big uppercuts in the second round, John walked to his corner – arms aloft – sure his defensive-minded opponent had little chance of claiming his title.

SINGAPORE, May 3 (Reuters) – On the verge of eclipsing Las Vegas as a gambling hub, Singapore has all the ingredients to become a legitimate rival to the American city’s home of boxing title, famed ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr told Reuters on Thursday.

Lennon, who has called fights all over the world for 25 years, is in Singapore for Chris John’s World Boxing Association featherweight title defence against Japan’s Shoji Kimura on Saturday at Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.

The fight is the main event alongside the IBO featherweight title bout between Indonesia’s Daud Yordan and Filipino Lorenzo Villanueva, the first time Singapore has hosted two world title contests on the same card.

All 4,000 tickets have been sold, promoters said on Thursday, with Lennon’s surprise appearance adding some glitter to a card which offers genuine promise that the sport could find a long term home in Singapore and take business from Vegas.

“Absolutely. As I say, I don’t see any doubt in that,” Lennon told Reuters when asked if that could happen.

“We have been seeing for years locations with casinos have been taking business away from Las Vegas, all around the world, throughout the United States and certainly it could happen.”

While analysts forecast Singapore will overtake Las Vegas this year to become the second biggest gaming location in the world behind Macau, Lennon — best known for his catchphrase “It’s showtime” — acknowledges it will be a long wait until the duo spar as genuine boxing rivals.

By Patrick Johnston

(Reuters) – The Football Association’s decision to hold talks with Roy Hodgson about the vacant England manager’s job has left soccer fans and players shocked, and the West Bromwich Albion coach keenly aware that he would have to win over a sceptical public should he take the role.

Despite winning 13 trophies on his travels through largely unfashionable clubs in Europe, the 64-year-old former Inter Milan and Liverpool boss has already been deemed ‘Mr Average’ by sections of the hard-to-please English media.

When Fabio Capello left the England job in February, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Harry Redknapp seemed the only candidate, with former captain David Beckham heading a long, credible list calling for his appointment.

Monday’s edition of The Sun, England’s biggest selling newspaper, asked “why didn’t Harry get it?” and claimed eight out of 10 fans in their poll said Hodgson was the wrong choice.

“With the greatest respect, there’s not going to be a great wave of excitement about the appointment of Roy,” the paper quoted Mark Perryman of the England Supporters Club as saying.

While Perryman went on to praise Hodgson’s credentials, the overwhelming feeling remained that he is second choice to Redknapp.

April 30 (Reuters) – The Football Association’s decision to hold talks with Roy Hodgson about the vacant England manager’s job has left soccer fans and players shocked, and the West Bromwich Albion coach keenly aware that he would have to win over a sceptical public should he take the role.

Despite winning 13 trophies on his travels through largely unfashionable clubs in Europe, the 64-year-old former Inter Milan and Liverpool boss has already been deemed ‘Mr Average’ by sections of the hard-to-please English media.

When Fabio Capello left the England job in February, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Harry Redknapp seemed the only candidate, with former captain David Beckham heading a long, credible list calling for his appointment.

Monday’s edition of The Sun, England’s biggest selling newspaper, asked “why didn’t Harry get it?” and claimed eight out of 10 fans in their poll said Hodgson was the wrong choice.

“With the greatest respect, there’s not going to be a great wave of excitement about the appointment of Roy,” the paper quoted Mark Perryman of the England Supporters Club as saying.

While Perryman went on to praise Hodgson’s credentials, the overwhelming feeling remained that he is second choice to Redknapp.

“Surely Roy Hodgson can’t be the only name on the ‘list’??”, former England international and Everton captain Phil Neville tweeted after the FA said they had only spoken to Hodgson.

April 30 (Reuters) – The Football Association’s decision to hold talks with Roy Hodgson about the vacant England manager’s job has left soccer fans and players shocked, and the West Bromwich Albion coach keenly aware that he would have to win over a sceptical public should he take the role.

Despite winning 13 trophies on his travels through largely unfashionable clubs in Europe, the 64-year-old former Inter Milan and Liverpool boss has already been deemed ‘Mr Average’ by sections of the hard-to-please English media.

When Fabio Capello left the England job in February, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Harry Redknapp seemed the only candidate, with former captain David Beckham heading a long, credible list calling for his appointment.

Monday’s edition of The Sun, England’s biggest selling newspaper, asked “why didn’t Harry get it?” and claimed eight out of 10 fans in their poll said Hodgson was the wrong choice.

“With the greatest respect, there’s not going to be a great wave of excitement about the appointment of Roy,” the paper quoted Mark Perryman of the England Supporters Club as saying.

While Perryman went on to praise Hodgson’s credentials, the overwhelming feeling remained that he is second choice to Redknapp.

“Surely Roy Hodgson can’t be the only name on the ‘list’??”, former England international and Everton captain Phil Neville tweeted after the FA said they had only spoken to Hodgson.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – When Malaysian shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi takes aim with her rifle at the London Olympics it will not just be nerves she will be attempting to control inside her.

The 29-year-old from Perak, situated 200 kilometres north of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, is due to give birth to her first child on September 2, less than a month after the Games end.

“I will talk to the baby before I compete… ‘no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please’”, Suryani told Reuters in an interview at her home shooting range in Kuala Lumpur.

“When I go to London, I will be 33 weeks, when I come back it will be 34 weeks.

“They (Malaysian National Olympic Committee) wanted to send me to London early because they are afraid, but what I hear from Malaysian airlines is that it is not recommended to travel for a pregnant woman from 35 weeks.

“I arrive around July 25th and I finish and come straight back, I won’t be staying there very long. I don’t think (I’ll be attending the closing ceremony), we haven’t planned anything.”

While the sight of her swelling stomach on the range at the Royal Artillery Barracks in east London is likely to make her the most conspicuous of the 390 shooting competitors at the Games, there have been doubts from the Malaysian public about whether she should travel.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – When Malaysian shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi takes aim with her rifle at the London Olympics it will not just be nerves she will be attempting to control inside her.

The 29-year-old from Perak, situated 200 kilometres north of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, is due to give birth to her first child on September 2, less than a month after the Games end.

“I will talk to the baby before I compete… ‘no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please’”, Suryani told Reuters in an interview at her home shooting range in Kuala Lumpur.

“When I go to London, I will be 33 weeks, when I come back it will be 34 weeks.

“They (Malaysian National Olympic Committee) wanted to send me to London early because they are afraid, but what I hear from Malaysian airlines is that it is not recommended to travel for a pregnant woman from 35 weeks.

“I arrive around July 25th and I finish and come straight back, I won’t be staying there very long. I don’t think (I’ll be attending the closing ceremony), we haven’t planned anything.”

While the sight of her swelling stomach on the range at the Royal Artillery Barracks in east London is likely to make her the most conspicuous of the 390 shooting competitors at the Games, there have been doubts from the Malaysian public about whether she should travel.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Reuters) – When Malaysian shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi takes aim with her rifle at the London Olympics it will not just be nerves she will be attempting to control inside her.

The 29-year-old from Perak, situated 200 kilometres north of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, is due to give birth to her first child on Sept. 2, less than a month after the Games end.

“I will talk to the baby before I compete… ‘no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please’”, Suryani told Reuters in an interview at her home shooting range in Kuala Lumpur.

“When I go to London, I will be 33 weeks, when I come back it will be 34 weeks.

“They (Malaysian National Olympic Committee) wanted to send me to London early because they are afraid, but what I hear from Malaysian airlines is that it is not recommended to travel for a pregnant woman from 35 weeks.

“I arrive around July 25th and I finish and come straight back, I won’t be staying there very long. I don’t think (I’ll be attending the closing ceremony), we haven’t planned anything.”

While the sight of her swelling stomach on the range at the Royal Artillery Barracks in east London is likely to make her the most conspicuous of the 390 shooting competitors at the Games, there have been doubts from the Malaysian public about whether she should travel.