People’s champ Manny Pacquiao went to Ground Zero two days before his fight against Margarito.

Two days before the year’s biggest fight in boxing, Michael Knockz, who deals many of Pacquiao’s affairs, stated that he and his team went late to Ground Zero.

Pacquiao is expected to draw more than 50,000 fans Saturday night on the sports ground and if he can convince other people to buy the fight on television he could make $20 million in it. He was supposed to come Thursday at the Cowboy Stadium in order to achieve the expectation; there will be satellite interviews of major networks to be held in the said area.

After minutes of waiting, Pacquiao and his entourage emerged, as stated, heading toward SUV’s that will bring them all to the final media interview before the fight.

He stated that the champion was in the first SUV, at the middle seat. His attention is on his BlackBerry checking mails regarding his duties for being the newly elected congressman of Sarangani Province in the Philippines. Then he talked about his responsibilities about his position and about having the future of his people in his hands.

He also rendered the song he performed with comedian Will Ferrell on Jimmy Kimmel Live! show last week. So far, it took 800,000 hits at Youtube. Then he said that he is not good in singing but he can, like in boxing, in a classical sense he may not be a boxer but he is a fighter and he will do his best to win every fight.

Manny Pacquiao’s final words were given. He stated that there is always pressure, because in every fight he needs to train hard. He believes that every fight is for the Philippines and his fellow countrymen’s glory is on his shoulders.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Marcus Benard was hospitalized after collapsing during a locker room media interview session.

On Thursday, Benard collapsed while sitting in a chair in front of his cubicle. The 25-year-old linebacker fell down to the carpeted floor. Some of his teammates assumed that Benard was only joking before linebacker Matt Roth called for a trainer.

After the collapse, Benard had his hands near his face, though he did not appear to lose consciousness. According to Cleveland’s training staff that checked Benard, his eyes were open and remained aware to his surroundings. An ambulance took Benard to Southwest General Hospital for tests. The result of those tests have not been released yet.

By 8:15 P.M., the doctors permitted to release Benard. In addition, the Browns stated that Benard will undergo for further evaluation on Friday to make sure that the player’s condition is in good shape.

Benard looked alert as he was sitting up when wheeled out of the team’s facility. He was carried out by medical personnel at 12:25 P.M. on a stretcher. Benard’s collapse happened when the 45-minute media interview was just about to end.

Benard signed as undrafted free agent from Jackson State in 2009. He started two games in this season for Cleveland Browns (3-5), who host the New York Jets (6-2) on Sunday.

Lastly, Benard has managed to lead the Browns with four and a half sacks.

Jenn Sterger had a meeting with the NFL officials and discussed about the alleged misconduct of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.

On Thursday, model and television personality Sterger had a meeting with NFL officials to discuss about Favre’s misconduct. According to Sterger’s accusations, Favre sent numerous lewd photos and inappropriate text messages. This happened when Favre was with the New York Jets and Sterger was the team’s game hostess in 2008.

The meeting between the plaintiff and the NFL officials was confirmed by Phil Reese, Sterger’s manager. Reese said in an email that Sterger has indeed attended on a meeting with league officials. Also, he stated that their party has been fully cooperating with the league’s officials by providing substantial materials. Currently, they are just waiting for the NFL’s decision about this matter, according to Reese.

Currently, NFL remained silent regarding on this matter, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. As for Favre, he is facing possible disciplinary action under NFL’s personal conduct policy.

These allegations by Sterger surfaced a month ago in a report found on the website Deadspin. According to the report, Sterger would not agree to an interview and admitted that it paid a third party for the texts, graphic photos, and voicemails, which was said by Favre.

Due to this, the 41-year-old quarterback was summoned by the NFL vice president for security Milt Ahlerich last month. Favre was stormed by questions about the investigation, which he calls it “a league issue.”

Favre has a rough 20th season in the NFL. He had suffered with two ankle fractures and elbow tendinitis, as well as 10 stitches in his chin after getting hit against New England on October 31.

Florida Marlins had decided to stop contract talks with second baseman Dan Uggla.

According to reports, Florida Marlins had decided to stop negotiating with Uggla about long-term contract for the team. As for Uggla, he claimed that it has been Marlins’ choice to stop negotiating.

The 30-year-old Louisianan told this matter after he received his first Silver Slugger Award. According to him, his team still hopes to reach an agreement on a long-term contract with the Marlins, despite their decision. Uggla also said that his career has been in Florida ever since, as he wants to stay in Florida.

As a response, officials of Florida Marlins declined to comment on this issue. Meanwhile, Uggla is eligible for salary arbitration for him to qualify for free agency after the 2011 season.

“This year I really started putting it together and not wasting as many at-bats as in the past,” said Uggla. “The power has always been there, but the average has been spotty.”

As for Uggla’s playoff records, he has 33 homers, a .287 average and 105 RBIs in 2010. On a .263 career hitter, Uggla has made at least 27 homers and 88 RBIs each from the previous five seasons. All of these were played under Marlins.

Due to the team’s tight budget, Uggla has seen numerous teammates come and go, including close friend Cody Ross.

“If I’m not going to be playing in it, then he is the person I would want to watch playing in the World Series,” according to Uggla. “To see him do what he did in the postseason and then the climax of winning the World Series, I couldn’t have been happier for anybody.”

Coach Freddie Roach has predicted a three-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao against Antonio Margarito.

On Thursday, Coach Roach stated his forecast for the forthcoming fight of Pacquiao. In Roach’s interview with Reuters, he said that he predicts a knockout within three rounds, but don’t be surprised if his fighter would get Margarito in the first round. Roach also described the poor agility of Margarito and how they will take advantage on that.

This coming Saturday, Pacquiao and Margarito will be battling for the vacant WBC super welterweight title. Despite the height and weight of Pacquiao’s opponent, Roach remains confident that the 31-year-old Filipino boxer holds an essential advantage to take down the Mexican fighter.

“I don’t think Margarito’s stronger,” according to Roach. “We have the better puncher. I don’t rate Margarito’s punching because he has no balance. He’s an arm puncher. I am really not worried about this fight.”

Even though Roach had been concerned over Pacquiao’s fight preparations in the past few days, those worries had been allayed. Roach’s worries were driven by the chaotic training camp they had in the Philippines for this fight, plus Pacquiao’s extra-curricular activities. In the end, Pacquiao has managed to prove that his coach should not worry.

“The first few weeks of training camp, mentally he lacked a little bit,” said Coach Roach. “Usually he gets ready for a fight in just two weeks but this time it took us the whole camp to get ready.”

Part of Pacquiao’s extra-curricular activities e politics, showbiz, and singing. His professional life had inflicted another twist earlier this year when he was elected as Congressman in his hometown.

American sportscaster Dave Niehaus died after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday.

Mariners’ broadcaster Niehaus passed away at the age of 75, according to his family. Heart attack was the cause of Niehaus’ death that happened at his house in suburban Bellevue, Washington. Family, friends, and colleagues were shocked about this news.

People close to Niehaus are starting to send their condolences to his family. Also, a statement was released on Wednesday night to pay respect to the late Mariners’ broadcaster. According to a statement from Mariners chief executive Howard Lincoln and team president Chuck Armstrong, Dave has been considered as the heart and soul of Seattle Mariners’ franchise since its inauguration in 1977.

Furthermore, Commissioner Bud Selig of Major League Baseball sympathized to the Niehaus family. As Selig states his condolence, he described Niehaus as one of the greatest broadcast voice in this field. Selig added how they became good friends and how bad the late sportscaster will be missed by his colleagues.

Since 1977, Niehaus had been the voice of the Mariners from their first game until the end of this year’s season. The late Niehaus, as well as his rounded Midwestern voice, was known for his trademark “My Oh My!” expression.

In 2008, Niehaus received a Ford C. Frick award and introduced into the broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Before Niehaus’ Hall of Fame induction, he said: “All of us in this business, guys, this is the toy department of life.”

“Anyone who is involved in this business, whether it be my end or (the writing) end or the front office end, we’re lucky. We’re lucky people,” added by the late broadcaster.

Indianapolis Colts receiver Austin Collie will not be playing on Sunday’s game against Cincinnati Bengals due to health condition.

According to Coach Jim Caldwell, Collie is currently recovering from concussion. The coach affirmed that the symptoms are subsiding. Despite having the good news, Caldwell said that Collie will not be playing for Sunday’s game due to medical authorities’ advice.

Collie suffered from a concussion that he sustained last week during a game against Philadelphia Eagles. When Collie got his hands on the ball, the second-year receiver turned to run but found himself sandwiched between two Eagles defenders.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Kurt Coleman lowered his shoulder to aim at Collie and committed unintentional helmet-to-helmet collision. Collie was found lying motionless on the field for 10 minutes. The game’s medical officials immediately head towards Collie and placed him on a backboard. He was taken off the field on a stretcher. During the halftime, Collie spoke with his teammates. He was seen walking around in the Colts locker room after the game.

As for Coleman, he was penalized for unnecessary roughness for the hit on Collie, but neither player was fined. According to NFL, sports officials later ruled that the contact that caused the damage was purely incidental as a result of the hit.

Doctors gave Collie a clearance that permits him to return to Indianapolis with his teammates. The incident did not inflict a fine to the offender, since Collie has not spoken with the reporters after the hit.

Meanwhile, Indy waived defensive back Deshea Townsend and running back Andre Brown. They also promoted receiver Brandon James from the practice squad. According to Coach Caldwell, James could be returning kicks and punts this weekend for the team.

Utah Jazz scored 104-94 to win over Orlando Magic Wednesday night.

In the third quarter, Utah Jazz managed to overturn an 18-point deficit and contnued to win as the final buzzer sounded. The team’s plays in the quarter stunned not only the spectators, but the opposing team as well.

In the game, Paul Millsap scored 23 points and added another 30 by Deron William. The Jazz ended Magic’s four-game NBA winning streak. IN addition, Jazz served the host Magic’s first loss at the new Amway Center.

In an interview to Millsap, he was asked made for the Jazz to win on the game against Magic. Millsap jokingly answered that he guessed it was the fact of being behind made their team to showcase their talents.

Moreover, Al Jefferson did a huge hook over Dwight Howard, as Williams followed with a jumper against Nelson with 46.5 seconds time remaining. This gave Utah an 8-point lead.

This win against the Magic was popularized by the Jazz’s previous win against Miami Heat on Tuesday night. In that game, Jazz had managed to procure a 22-point hole that stunned LeBron James and the Heat. As for this, Utah Jazz’s performance has been recognized once again by many as it serves to be their sweet comeback.

According to Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, two straight wins against Miami and Orlando on consecutive nights feels good. Coach Sloan said, “Improbable? We’re supposed to be able to play. It wasn’t probably, it was just a matter of trying to come and play and worry about what happened later.”

Los Angeles Lakers is planning to build a statue for Jerry “The Logo” West.

According to the Lakers spokesman John Black, they are currently planning to add another statue just outside Staples Center. This statue will be Jerry West’s statue and is anticipated to be unveiled during the NBA All-Star weekend on February 18-20, 2011.

The anticipated statue will be the Lakers’ third. The first two statues were Magic Johnson and Chick Hearn’s. Furthermore, the Staples Center features statues portraying boxer Oscar De La Hoya and hockey player Wayne Gretzky. In 2004, the statue of Johnson was unveiled during the NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles, while Hearn’s was unveiled last season.

Within west’s basketball career with the Lakers from 1960-1974; he led the basketball team towards NBA championship in 1972. Playing the guard position as a professional, he also became a 14-time All-Star player, 10-time All-NBA team member, as well as won the 1969 Finals Most Valuable Player. However, the Lakers lost that series against the Celtics. West’s NBA career was highly successful.

As West retired to the team, he was considered as the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer with 25,192 point. This is before Kobe Bryant has managed to eclipse the record last season.

As a player, West’s standing with the Lakers goes beyond all his accomplishments. Before, he work in the front office, which involves head coaching and scouting positions before assuming the General Manager post during the 1982-1983 season. That resulted into seven championships and became an NBA executive of the year honor in 1995.

Former New York Knicks executive Isiah Thomas will face possible suspension according to NBA officials.

A few weeks ago, a report surfaced in a Yahoo report that states former New York Knicks participated on improper pre-draft workouts over a number of seasons, which involves numerous players. Based on a report on Yahoo, Thomas wants to return into the NBA but that could lead into his suspension after the alleged violations surfaced. Not to mention Thomas’ numerous questionable integrity, character, and competency that can highly affect this issue.

NBA, who enlisted an outside law firm, wants to probe the circumstances of the alleged workouts, which involves Brandon Rush of Indiana Pacers. As this issue surfaced, more tips are starting to flow in. Numerous teams demand severe sanctions for the Kicks because of these charges, as it affects the team’s competitive balance and fairness.

Other than monetary fines and forfeiture of future draft picks for Donnie Walsh, sources within the league say any finding of Thomas’ possible complicity in potential contravention may lead to his suspension to e tacked onto his anticipated return to NBA.

Given that the sexual harassment case that ended in a large financial settlement, the possibility of hiring Thomas to any NBA team has a low chance. Implicated by the illegal contact investigation would lead to a fatal blow to Thomas’ NBA future career.

Normally, NBA scouts use the term “red flag” to describe health or character issues, which disqualifies a player from being drafted. Now, some people within the league describe Thomas as a living red flag for any potential NBA employer.