What's up?

Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO) faces Joshua Clottey (35-3, 21 KO) this Saturday in what is being rumored as Pac's second to last fight. However, neither Pac or trainer Freddie Roach are looking past the strong, talented challenger. The native of Ghana lost last June to Miguel Cotto, hired a new trainer and has changed his approach to boxing. He is confident in this fight and intends to shock the world against the pound-for-pound best in the world. All while not denying his admiration and respect for Pacquiao. Never one to slight an opponent or take a fight lightly, I don't see any let down in this fight from the Pacquiao camp. They want Floyd Mayweather, everyone wants that fight to happen, but I would be shocked if Pacquiao overlooked Clottey. He and Roach formulate plans for every fight, change up styles and are always ready. I expect nothing different. Hopefully, Mayweather does the same May 1 against Shane Mosley. Because although Mosley v. Pacquiao would be terrific, it's not the fight were all waiting for.

Ben Roethlisberger is a bonehead. He almost killed himself in a bike accident a couple years ago, has been dealing with a alleged rape case from 2008 and now finds himself fighting a possible sexual assault case with a 20-year old he met barhopping earlier this month. He is locked into a story he has already told the police and will hope that all other gathered details add up to what he has claimed is true. Yikes. This guy has already won a Superbowl and is the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but are all these issues creating a situation where the Rooney family (owners of team) will soon consider their franchise player's future with the team?

Allen Iverson has been dealing with a tumultuous past few months. He has left the Philadelphia 76'ers for the remainder of the season to deal with his daughter's health issues, his wife has filed for a divorce and Iverson has made headlines for his heavy drinking and reckless gambling problems. This is a guy that transformed the culture of the NBA over the course of his career. Unfortunately the older Iverson gets, the more his skill set shrinks and the more hectic his life becomes. I hope he is remembered for being the best guy under 6-feet tall in the history of the league, not a sad story of how things fell apart.

The Syacuse Orangemen have lost two consecutive games heading into selection Sunday. Falling to Louisville for the second time this season and being kicked out of the Big East Tournament by Georgetown this afternoon. Big East Player of the Year Wes Johnson and Coach of the Year Jim Boeheim put together a great first half, but fizzled in the games final ten minutes as the Chris Wright and Greg Monroe cracked that 3-2 zone and wore the Orange down. Both of these teams play well in March, but Syracuse has looked a little shaky lately at a point in the year when you want to be putting it all together.