Vintage Cars

After announcing their fight at an international public press conference in Yankee Stadium in New York today, Pacquiao and Cotto will proceed on the remainder of the five-city coast-to-coast, two-ocean media tour which will take them to Caguas, Puerto Rico, AT&T Park in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, California, and PETCO Park in San Diego.

"I will train harder than I have ever trained before because Miguel Cotto will be my toughest test as a professional fighter," said Pacquiao. "I know Miguel Cotto is an excellent fighter and a great world champion.

"He is strong and smart and that is a dangerous combination for anyone who challenges him. But like every fight, I will not enter the ring alone. My countrymen don't just give me their support. They also give me their strength, their pride and their love. That is why I must give my all. I fight to win and to give honor to the Philippines."

"He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like me," said Cotto. "The world will know who the best is when we meet in the ring"

"This fight will be the most exciting and memorable event that Top Rank has promoted in 40 years. I am certain it will take its place as an exciting and action-packed classic such as Hagler vs. Hearns and Ali vs. Frazier III. On November 14, Pacquiao vs. Cotto will join that list of boxing classics."

"This is a superior matchup between two of the best fighters in the world," said Ross Greenburg, President, HBO Sports. "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are two unique personalities, and because of that, we are looking forward to presenting another installment of our popular '24/7' series."

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as "Henry Armstrongesque," winning world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to finish the trifecta. This year, he picked up where he left off last year – winning another world title in a new weight division -- dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has sold more tickets to Madison Square Garden in this millennium than any other fighter. He has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico's most exciting fighter, Cotto held the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February this year, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion. Notable scalps on Cotto's belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi, and Demarcus Corley.

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

* * *

Boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Fighter of the Year, MANNY "PacMan" PACQUIAO, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion, MIGUEL COTTO, will be loaded for bear when they rumble in the mega-event of the year – FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO – for Cotto's World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title and the first-ever World Boxing Council (WBC) Diamond Belt. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO will take place Saturday, November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao and Cotto boast nine world titles in seven different weight divisions between them and a combined professional record of 83-4-2 (64 KOs) – a winning percentage of 93% and a victory by knockout ratio of 77%.

Remaining tickets are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Top photo: "YANKEE STADIUM LAUNCHES FIREPOWER" -- Five-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao(R),General Santos,Philippines and three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto(L), Caguas, Puerto Rico kickoff their cross-country, five-city national media tour by posing at a public press conference at Yankee Stadium Thursday to promote their upcoming "FIREPOWER" World Welterweight championship fight. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MGM Grand and Tecate, will take place, Saturday,November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be available live on HBO Pay Per View. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank.

By http://philboxing.com/news/story-27201.html

Labels: cotto, fight, manny pacquiao, news, philippines, update, vs

Despite all the negative news currently affecting the automotive marketplace, the 2009 crop of automobiles is particularly good, and car makers are ready to make a deal. Here are our recommendations for what may be the best vehicle in each segment, as well as several you should consider as excellent alternatives to the status quo.

Compact Coupe/Sedan: Honda Civic Sedan

Largely a holdover from last year, the 2009 Civic flaunts a chic, sporty exterior that belies its budget-oriented sticker price. Standard safety features include frontal air bags and front torso side air bags as well as curtain-style air bags in the roof rails. The Civic's 1.8-liter inline-four utilizes a drive-by-wire throttle and i-VTEC valve controls. A five-speed manual transmission or five-speed electronic automatic is available. Several trims are available including the entry-level DX, LX, EX, EX-L (leather), and the new LX-S, which boasts alloy wheels, black cloth seat upholstery, a decklid spoiler, and chrome exhaust.

Alternative choices: Don't say yes to anything until you have driven the popular Ford Focus and the somewhat overlooked Mazda3. Additional vehicles in this segment include the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and ultra-stylish Nissan Altima Coupe.


Ford's hybrid/electric retooling of the popular Escape CUV has a new 153-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that marries a fuel-sipping gasoline engine to a battery-powered electric motor. The electric plant can propel the wagon for short bursts or work with the gas engine to deliver a power boost much like the kick of a V6. An electronic control module manages energy produced by the two plants and sends it directly to the front wheels, or to all four wheels in the AWD (all-wheel drive) version. Refined, reliable, and roomy, the Ford Escape Hybrid offers good fuel economy with room to spare.

Alternative choices: Before making your final choice, be sure to test drive the Jeep Patriot and the Land Rover LR2. For something a little less SUV-ish, check out the new Dodge Journey AWD.

Midsize Sedan: Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata has premium features and loads of safety equipment, like ESC (electronic stability control) and six air bags, including curtain-style inflators concealed in the roof. For 2009, the Sonata includes a refreshed exterior and a revised cockpit design with new seats and an instrument panel. Both available powertrains also include enhancements; The 2.4-liter inline-four with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) gains dual cams which increases the output to 175 hp, while the 3.3-liter V6 now puts out an impressive 249 hp. Three trims are available including GLS, SE, and deluxe Limited. The sporty SE edition includes sport-tuned springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars.

Alternative choices: Toyota is one of the dominant players in this segment with the Camry and Camry Hybrid Sedan, but don’t ignore the Honda Accord family of sedans, or the Ford Fusion, and Fusion Hybrid. For something a little different, test drive the Mazda6, Chevrolet Malibu, and Mitsubishi Lancer. Also, the Mazda CX-7 makes a great alternative to the standard 4-door sedan with seating for five and plenty of trunk space.

Luxury Sport Sedan: Infiniti G37 Sedan

Sensuous styling, sport-tuned mechanical hardware, and a refined cockpit are the standout attributes of the G37 sports sedan. Available in four trims, the G37 derives power from the VQ37VHR dual-cam 3.7-liter V6, which delivers 328 hp through a new seven-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode or an optional close-ratio six-speed manual. Standard traction mode is the sporty RWD orientation, but electronic AWD is available on the G37x AWD.

Alternative choices: This is without a doubt one of the most highly competitive segments in the market. Excellent competition comes from the Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series Sedan, Lexus IS and Hyundai Genesis. Domestics include the attractive and somewhat underrated Cadillac CTS.

Affordable Convertible: Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

The 2+2 sports convertible by Mitsubishi runs with the label of Eclipse Spyder. It uses the styling, structure, and mechanical content of the Eclipse sporty coupe. The Eclipse Spyder GS is the entry edition with a 2.4-liter inline-four rated at 162 hp with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic linked to Sportronic shift control. The Eclipse GT has a 3.8-liter V6 with 265 hp and either a six-speed manual or five- speed electronic automatic with Sportronic shifting. The GT gains HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps for 2009, along with ASC (active stability control) as standard equipment.

Alternative choices: Consider the Ford Mustang convertible, Mazda MX-5, and Pontiac Solstice as excellent options. Additionally, the new BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Eos and Saturn Sky are worth a look.

By Jeff Voth, CarNews Media

Labels: car, cars, top, vehicles

There are all kinds of car shows all over the world and there are only a few of these that actually put on one about vintage old cars. So if you want to go to one of these types of car shows then you need to get online and find out where these are located because if you don't figure out where they are now you might miss them and might have to wait another year.

Normally you will see car shows for only newer cars and for cars that are just now coming out and that are brand new just off the production line but not here. At many vintage car shows you will see a lot of the same car but in a different style. Events though they are the same car they still have a different look and appearance and that is what makes them what they are. They are vintage cars and that is what they will always be.

The original car show was just a simple little show of the new cars that were coming off the production line now a car show consists of hamburgers hot dogs and girls in bikinis. If you have ever been to a NOPI event then you probably know. Most vintage car shows however are just a bunch of older guys who just want to show off the real power and beauty of the vintage cars. That's all they want to do they are not interested in all the girls they are probably thinking of their car is their little lady.

You will see smaller car shows all over the United States but all over the rest of the world you are just going to see different styles of cars. Once you leave the United States you are leaving home and going to a foreign land where there are other brands and companies of cars. Overseas you have Jaguars and all kinds of other exotic cars.

If you go to a vintage car show you will see that when the cars are being judged and inspected they are being checked for any flaws that the car may have and they are making sure that it is an original and not just a salvaged piece of crap from a junk yard. Even though if you did get a vintage car from a junk yard you could still turn it into the car that it once was just by buying every single part to make it original again.

There are many car clubs and this is where many car shows come from is from the car clubs that put the vintage car shows together. So if you haven't joined a vintage car club yet and you like car shows you need to go for it.

By Gregg Hall

Labels: car, shows, vintage cars