Guardian.co.uk
When the anger that had been burning in Manny Pacquiao's perfectly flat and apparently legal belly for three months finally erupted in litigation, Floyd Mayweather Jr was rudely made aware that he has started a fight his lawyers will have to finish.
The little Filipino says he does not want to share a ring with a man he says thinks he is a drugs cheat – so he is suing him. There can't be a problem with that. It is up to Mayweather to back down – or defend himself, a skill he has perfected in the ring to the point of artistry.
It is hardly the sporting contest millions of boxing fans have been waiting for but, in the absence of sanity, it might have to do for the moment. And Pacquiao's lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, says others might be named alongside Mayweather and members of his family and promotional team. This could get ugly. And drawn out.
How did a promotion that seemed to be going so smoothly come to this? If things looks too good to be true in boxing, they usually are. This is a story that suggests something else was always going on in the background.
First, the fighters' respective promoters, after quickly working out a mutually acceptable deal in nearly every respect, indulged themselves in a dangerous and tedious game of brinkmanship for nearly two weeks – at the end of which they have been reminded in the quick issue of a writ in the Nevada Federal Court yesterday that Pacquiao is not just a great fighter but a proud man.
They didn't know that already? He has legal history with Golden Boy Promotions going back to 2006, when he switched to Bob Arum's Top Rank. He was the feistiest deal-maker before agreeing to fight Ricky Hatton in May. Hatton's American promotional partners? Golden Boy. Pacquiao is nobody's doormat.
That he is prepared to defend his reputation so fiercely is not only predictable but the single nugget of integrity in a dispute that again makes professional boxing an international joke.
We have to wait now until supposedly wise men are jerked into compromise by the only language they speak: money. Otherwise, no fight – and that is inconceivable.
Still, there are too many odd twists in this tale. It is a case littered with idiocy and inconsistent moralising.
Since the row began, the Mayweathers have had the unquestioning support of Golden Boy's chief negotiator, Richard Schaefer, in their demand that Pacquiao submit to Olympic-standard random blood tests. Yet Schaefer steadfastly objected to blood tests for the shamed Shane Mosley only two years ago. Overnight, almost, Schaefer has become an avenging angel for the anti-drugs lobby.
Bob Arum, meanwhile, has been even more pro-active in the dispute on behalf of Pacquiao and has generated valuable ink for a fight that has captured an audience beyond boxing's hardcore, albeit for spurious reasons. He has talked tough, then backed down. Schaefer, to a lesser extent, has postured to no convincing effect. But the headlines have grown.
This is, after all, a bout – for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title but really for the mythical pound-for-pound championship of boxing – that three million TV viewers in America will pay for, and probably half that again in the UK, plus whatever other markets the promoters can ginger up around the world.
Then into this mix is dropped the contentious suggestion that Pacquiao won't take random blood tests because he fears exposure as a drugs cheat. He denies the claim vehemently – and sues.
The numbers on offer for all concerned in the mega-fight of all time are considerable – yet we have been asked to believe that the fighters and their connections are willing to junk the promotion because of an unproven and, until three months ago, unvoiced suspicion about the most marketable boxer in the business.
So, how did they get themselves into such a fix? Here's a scenario that would not have displeased anyone on either side:
Mayweather did not get much of a workout in his comeback with Juan Manuel Marquéz in September, his first fight since stopping Hatton 21 months earlier. So, the theory goes, he was never going to fight Pacquiao on 13 March without a tune-up. He realises he risks his unbeaten record, perhaps even a knockout defeat, if he is not in peak form, so he looks for a way out, a postponement.
Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, was never that keen to take on Mayweather in March either, preferring to wait until the summer. He even mentions that Yuri Foreman, the new world light-middlweight champion who can't punch (and is promoted by Arum) might be an easy interim opponent, giving Pacquiao a chance to win his eighth world title at different weights – and upping his cachet in renewed negotiations with Mayweather.
Then Mayweather, for whatever reason, gives everyone "wriggle room" by calling for tests he knows Pacquiao will not agree to. The negotiations, which have been going suspiciously well, unravel and disintegrate.
Fight off. For now.
Pacquiao fights the smaller, less threatening Paulie Malignaggi or Foreman on 13 March... and Mayweather fights Matthew Hatton in the UK. These are mere ticking-over fights that nonetheless will milk the beast of a few more bucks.
The main event is postponed until Saturday, 1 May, nine days before Pacquiao runs for Congress in the Philippines. The fight grosses even more than the $200m (£123m) originally predicted.
Pacquiao beats Mayweather (as Mayweather, deep down, had feared he might). Pacquiao is elected to Congress.
Arum and Schaefer sit down to discuss the rematch, at the MGM Grand or the 100,000-plus-seater Cowboys Stadium in Texas later in the summer. Estimated revenue? $250m.
Stranger things have happened. And Bob Arum, 78 and still kicking, has been involved in quite a few of them.
Source: guardian.co.uk
Thursday 31 December 2009
Say it Ain't So! (But it Looks like Pacquiao-Foreman) -- SecondsOut
By Steve Kim, SecondsOut.com
I guess my New Years resolution for 2010 will be to have fewer lunches at Rafael’s, my favorite Mexican restaurant located on Beverly Blvd. and Wilcox Ave. in Montebello( a few short blocks from my office). Before I started working out at the nearby Bally’s this early afternoon, I was informed that talks between the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were still on-going and productive.
Hey, perhaps this whole mess could be salvaged after all for March 13Th.
Then hours later as I was consuming my albondigas soup( which is Mexican for ’meatball) this arrived in my email box courtesy of veteran boxing scribe Michael Marley. I was actually informed of this via BBM message:http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m12d30-Manny-Pacquiao-challenges-Yuri-Foreman-March-20
Yeah, it looks like Pacquiao could be facing Yuri Foreman, the current WBA jr. middleweight titlist. Which was news to Golden Boy CEO, Richard Schaefer, who told Maxboxing.com at around 4:15 pm," That’s what I’m hearing, but again, Bruce Binkow and Todd DuBoef are still having conversations. So I’m hearing these things. Supposedly Bob( Arum) mentioned it to Robert Morales and to Dan Rafael, that they are going to go with Yuri Foreman."
So what’s the plan with Mayweather?
"I’m not going to discuss what we’re going to do next," said Schaefer."I have reached out to Bruce and asked him to reach out to Todd. And if this is really the case, if they are walking away from the fight and are going to fight Foreman, if that’s the case, I will have conversations with Team Mayweather on what they want to do next." At this stage, Schaefer didn’t seem to know much more than anybody else."I talked to Bruce Binkow about 15 minutes ago and he is waiting to hear from Todd. They talked earlier today trying to gap that window as it relates to the blood testing, the cut-off date. These conversations were supposedly productive and so that’s all I know."
About a half-hour later, I received a call from Arum, who is wrapping up his vacation in Mexico. He confirmed to Maxboxing regarding Foreman,"That’s the fight we’re working on." Arum will arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday, and at that point he will start to negotiate that bout.
What also angered the veteran promoter was this story by Tim Smith of the New York Daily News:(http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/12/25/2009-12-25_a_test_of_ethics.html)
That story included this interesting tidbit from an anonymous source: "According to a source familiar with the talks, Pacquiao’s representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn’t be ruined in the public eye."
Which is odd, given that the whole issue of this extra battery of tests was to show the public that there was an even playing field where both sides were abiding by the laws and regulations of the commission. Arum said of this passage,"It’s totally crazy! What kind of b*llshit is that?!?!"
This was an eventful day as Pacquiao filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the Mayweather’s, Oscar De La Hoya and Schaefer, over the comments that they have made regarding his possible usage of illegal performance enhancing drugs.
When asked if Binkow and DuBoef were still talking, Arum answered,"No, no, no! As far as we’re concerned, we filed the lawsuit and we’re going to go ahead with the Foreman fight. As far as Mayweather, we’re going to fight Foreman and maybe revisit this if they stop acting like assholes in the summer and fall. No use talking further, we’re talked out. We have a fighter who is extremely upset, we’re upset.
"This has been a smear campaign."
( Of course, this could all change by the morning. You never know.)
Source: secondsout.com
I guess my New Years resolution for 2010 will be to have fewer lunches at Rafael’s, my favorite Mexican restaurant located on Beverly Blvd. and Wilcox Ave. in Montebello( a few short blocks from my office). Before I started working out at the nearby Bally’s this early afternoon, I was informed that talks between the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were still on-going and productive.
Hey, perhaps this whole mess could be salvaged after all for March 13Th.
Then hours later as I was consuming my albondigas soup( which is Mexican for ’meatball) this arrived in my email box courtesy of veteran boxing scribe Michael Marley. I was actually informed of this via BBM message:http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m12d30-Manny-Pacquiao-challenges-Yuri-Foreman-March-20
Yeah, it looks like Pacquiao could be facing Yuri Foreman, the current WBA jr. middleweight titlist. Which was news to Golden Boy CEO, Richard Schaefer, who told Maxboxing.com at around 4:15 pm," That’s what I’m hearing, but again, Bruce Binkow and Todd DuBoef are still having conversations. So I’m hearing these things. Supposedly Bob( Arum) mentioned it to Robert Morales and to Dan Rafael, that they are going to go with Yuri Foreman."
So what’s the plan with Mayweather?
"I’m not going to discuss what we’re going to do next," said Schaefer."I have reached out to Bruce and asked him to reach out to Todd. And if this is really the case, if they are walking away from the fight and are going to fight Foreman, if that’s the case, I will have conversations with Team Mayweather on what they want to do next." At this stage, Schaefer didn’t seem to know much more than anybody else."I talked to Bruce Binkow about 15 minutes ago and he is waiting to hear from Todd. They talked earlier today trying to gap that window as it relates to the blood testing, the cut-off date. These conversations were supposedly productive and so that’s all I know."
About a half-hour later, I received a call from Arum, who is wrapping up his vacation in Mexico. He confirmed to Maxboxing regarding Foreman,"That’s the fight we’re working on." Arum will arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday, and at that point he will start to negotiate that bout.
What also angered the veteran promoter was this story by Tim Smith of the New York Daily News:(http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/12/25/2009-12-25_a_test_of_ethics.html)
That story included this interesting tidbit from an anonymous source: "According to a source familiar with the talks, Pacquiao’s representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn’t be ruined in the public eye."
Which is odd, given that the whole issue of this extra battery of tests was to show the public that there was an even playing field where both sides were abiding by the laws and regulations of the commission. Arum said of this passage,"It’s totally crazy! What kind of b*llshit is that?!?!"
This was an eventful day as Pacquiao filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the Mayweather’s, Oscar De La Hoya and Schaefer, over the comments that they have made regarding his possible usage of illegal performance enhancing drugs.
When asked if Binkow and DuBoef were still talking, Arum answered,"No, no, no! As far as we’re concerned, we filed the lawsuit and we’re going to go ahead with the Foreman fight. As far as Mayweather, we’re going to fight Foreman and maybe revisit this if they stop acting like assholes in the summer and fall. No use talking further, we’re talked out. We have a fighter who is extremely upset, we’re upset.
"This has been a smear campaign."
( Of course, this could all change by the morning. You never know.)
Source: secondsout.com
PACQUIAO WANTS NO COMMENTS FROM TEAM PACQUIAO MEMBERS -- PhilBoxing
By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com
Pound-for-pound king and the acknowledged “Hero of Asia” Manny Pacquiao wants Team Pacquiao members to refrain from making any comments on the allegations of his using performance-enhancing drugs or the lawsuit filed by crack lawyer Daniel Petrocelli against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.
Pacquiao who is known for his humility in the face of adverse comments told us when the accusations about using performance-enhancing drugs first came out that he didn’t wish to dignify such unsubstantiated allegations and give the Mayweathers and Golden Boy the publicity and attention they were looking for.
Never an aggressive or abrasive individual outside the ring, every fighter who has met Pacquiao in the ring in the past such as David Diaz, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and even De La Hoya have commended Pacquiao for his humility and his refusal to put his opponents down or engage in trash talk.
It was only recently when the baseless allegations continued to be repeated in public that he got terribly upset and saying enough is enough directed Arum to ask his lawyers to file a lawsuit.
Now that the lawsuit has been filed Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us that “some of the statements attributed to Manny in the recent past by media were either inaccurate or misunderstood and from now on Pacquiao has no more comments to make on the allegations or the lawsuit itself and this applies to all members of Team Pacquiao “
Koncz informed www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Pacquiao “has instructed us that any and all questions on the issue of performance-enhancing drugs or steroids and the lawsuit should be directed to Atty. Petrocelli."
Source: philboxing.com
Pound-for-pound king and the acknowledged “Hero of Asia” Manny Pacquiao wants Team Pacquiao members to refrain from making any comments on the allegations of his using performance-enhancing drugs or the lawsuit filed by crack lawyer Daniel Petrocelli against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.
Pacquiao who is known for his humility in the face of adverse comments told us when the accusations about using performance-enhancing drugs first came out that he didn’t wish to dignify such unsubstantiated allegations and give the Mayweathers and Golden Boy the publicity and attention they were looking for.
Never an aggressive or abrasive individual outside the ring, every fighter who has met Pacquiao in the ring in the past such as David Diaz, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and even De La Hoya have commended Pacquiao for his humility and his refusal to put his opponents down or engage in trash talk.
It was only recently when the baseless allegations continued to be repeated in public that he got terribly upset and saying enough is enough directed Arum to ask his lawyers to file a lawsuit.
Now that the lawsuit has been filed Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us that “some of the statements attributed to Manny in the recent past by media were either inaccurate or misunderstood and from now on Pacquiao has no more comments to make on the allegations or the lawsuit itself and this applies to all members of Team Pacquiao “
Koncz informed www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Pacquiao “has instructed us that any and all questions on the issue of performance-enhancing drugs or steroids and the lawsuit should be directed to Atty. Petrocelli."
Source: philboxing.com
Pacquiao goes legal over drugs claims -- CNN
CNN
Manny Pacquiao is aiming to deliver a knockout blow to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the U.S. courts after filing a lawsuit against the American and his connections over claims he used performance-enhancing drugs.
The lawsuit, lodged in the Las Vegas district court on Wednesday, names Mayweather, his father Floyd senior, former boxing star Oscar De La Hoya and fellow Golden Boy Promotions executive Richard Schaefer.
"Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make," the lawsuit says, "and in today's world, accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs -- however baseless and lacking in evidence -- is toxic."
The Filipino fighter, who has won world titles at five different weights, was slated to fight Mayweather on March 13 next year in a money-spinning bout in Las Vegas.
But he was infuriated by the insistence of Mayweather's camp that he undergo Olympic-style pre-fight blood testing and the alleged implication that he had used illegal drugs.
Pacquiao posted a Christmas day message on his personal Web site, saying he would take legal action and has now followed through on the threat.
Top lawyer Daniel Petrocelli is representing him and outlined the substance of their case.
"Manny Pacquiao's achievements come from God-given talent and an indefatigable work ethic -- not steroids," he told gathered reporters.
"He cannot and will not allow others to deliberately misrepresent his years of hard work and tarnish his reputation."
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 dollars and also cites interviews given in various publications that appeared to question the fairness of Pacquiao's pre-fight preparation.
Mayweather's connections attempted to diffuse the situation in a statement issued earlier this weak on the Golden Boy Promotions Web site.
"Let it be very clear that nobody from Team Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions is accusing Pacquiao of anything," it read.
"But the reality seems to be that for whatever reason Pacquiao does not want to participate in random blood testing, which has already been deemed a harmless procedure that many current athletes are subjected to prior to and during competition," it added.
Many viewed the war of words between the respective camps as a pre-fight war ploy to boost interest, but the row over dope testing may well have derailed one of the richest fights in boxing history, with huge pay-per-view revenues forecasted.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum was pessimistic about a March showdown between the two fighters.
"This is only my opinion, but I don't see the fight happening now," he was quoted.
Positions are hardening ... Manny's fit to be tied. He's very angry."
Arum was also reported to have opened negotiations with World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman to fight Pacquiao.
Source: edition.cnn.com
Manny Pacquiao is aiming to deliver a knockout blow to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the U.S. courts after filing a lawsuit against the American and his connections over claims he used performance-enhancing drugs.
The lawsuit, lodged in the Las Vegas district court on Wednesday, names Mayweather, his father Floyd senior, former boxing star Oscar De La Hoya and fellow Golden Boy Promotions executive Richard Schaefer.
"Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make," the lawsuit says, "and in today's world, accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs -- however baseless and lacking in evidence -- is toxic."
The Filipino fighter, who has won world titles at five different weights, was slated to fight Mayweather on March 13 next year in a money-spinning bout in Las Vegas.
But he was infuriated by the insistence of Mayweather's camp that he undergo Olympic-style pre-fight blood testing and the alleged implication that he had used illegal drugs.
Pacquiao posted a Christmas day message on his personal Web site, saying he would take legal action and has now followed through on the threat.
Top lawyer Daniel Petrocelli is representing him and outlined the substance of their case.
"Manny Pacquiao's achievements come from God-given talent and an indefatigable work ethic -- not steroids," he told gathered reporters.
"He cannot and will not allow others to deliberately misrepresent his years of hard work and tarnish his reputation."
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 dollars and also cites interviews given in various publications that appeared to question the fairness of Pacquiao's pre-fight preparation.
Mayweather's connections attempted to diffuse the situation in a statement issued earlier this weak on the Golden Boy Promotions Web site.
"Let it be very clear that nobody from Team Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions is accusing Pacquiao of anything," it read.
"But the reality seems to be that for whatever reason Pacquiao does not want to participate in random blood testing, which has already been deemed a harmless procedure that many current athletes are subjected to prior to and during competition," it added.
Many viewed the war of words between the respective camps as a pre-fight war ploy to boost interest, but the row over dope testing may well have derailed one of the richest fights in boxing history, with huge pay-per-view revenues forecasted.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum was pessimistic about a March showdown between the two fighters.
"This is only my opinion, but I don't see the fight happening now," he was quoted.
Positions are hardening ... Manny's fit to be tied. He's very angry."
Arum was also reported to have opened negotiations with World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman to fight Pacquiao.
Source: edition.cnn.com
Q&A with HBO's Larry Merchant -- USA Today
By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY
If recent history is a guide, especially the last three decades, making big fights takes patience. No one knows that any better than HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant, who has intervened in an effort to help bridge the divide between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Negotiations are at a standstill because Mayweather wants random blood testing — not required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission which only tests urine. Pacquiao has agreed to three blood tests instead. Merchant, who has been with HBO since 1978, recently talked with USA TODAY:
When negotiations came to a sudden halt, after it appeared March 13 in Las Vegas was all but a certainty, what were your thoughts?
I thought it was just some gamesmanship by Mayweather who has a certain talent for mind games with opponents, creating conflict to help promote events. It appears that it has spiraled out of control. I couldn't imagine why. First of all, since he thinks he's going to win the fight and second of all because he's going to make upwards of 30 million or 40 million dollars, how could you take it seriously?
They seem serious about it. Almost as if they were saying Pacquiao can't be this good on his own. Now it's seems like it's a bloodbath. There's no precedent for fighters who have already decided how to divide the money then find issues that would break up a huge event. It's hard to take seriously even if it appears to be serious.
Do you think Golden Boy Promotions' demand for random blood testing is reasonable?
I see no indications that Pacquiao is anything but an exceptional, elite fighter. There are many precedents in boxing of smaller fighters to move up in weight division and be successful later in their careers.
(Golden Boy president) Oscar De La Hoya himself started out as a 130-pound titleholder and wound up fighting middleweights which is 30 pounds north of that. It seems like its some sort of ploy. But if both sides take it seriously and both sides see it as a test of their will. And then you get involved with personal issues, then maybe it's more out of control than anybody could imagine.
Old feuds have gotten into this between Mayweather and (Pacquiao's promoter Bob) Arum and Arum and De La Hoya. I've always looked upon these types of negotiations as a kind of ritual of dominance. 'I can impose my will on you in the negotiations, therefore I can impose my will on you in the fight.'
Pacquiao turned pro at 106 pounds, but he was only 16 years old. Is it that uncommon for a fighter to compete in multiple divisions, especially with all the sport's "junior" divisions?
Henry Armstrong turned pro at 120. He also fought for a middleweight championship. Alexis Arguello was a bantamweight when he started as a 16-year-old but he wound up fighting in the 140s. Ted "Kid" Lewis started as a bantamweight, and after winning the welterweight championship wound up fighting the top light heavyweights in the world. There are guys who are exceptions to the rule. Pacquiao fights in the low '40s. That means he has breakfast and lunch before the weigh-in where most fighters eat lightly, if at all. He's done a few amazing things. It's not like he's going around knocking everybody stiff with one punch. He's a boxer-puncher who has won on his boxing ability and his quickness. He hit De La Hoya with a flurry of 50 or 60 clean punches and never knocked him down. He's not Superman's son. He's just a helluva fighter who has captured the imagination of the fight world and become a kind of international cultural figure who transcends the sport.
What are the chances this fight happens in 2010?
(Bernard) Hopkins and (Roy) Jones were negotiating for a decade it seemed for a rematch from their 1993 fight. But that was about money. I don't think the boxing world grieves over the fact that it didn't get made. There's so much money involved here, even if irrationality triumphs over rationality, I think eventually the fight will get made. If they can't come to terms for a March fight then I think it'll happen at some later date. I think by the end of the holidays cooler heads will come to a compromise.
After Pacquiao knocked out Miguel Cotto, there was a positive energy looking ahead to him facing Mayweather. While this still would be a megafight, the headlines have a more negative tone. Does that matter?
There was a certain momentum that was moving along at a furious pace. The fact of the matter is, everybody except Pacquiao would prefer the fight to happen later now. The March date was picked out because he's running for political office in May (in the Philippines) and didn't want to fight after the middle of March. It would still be a huge event. Could it lose some of its mojo? Who knows. Maybe so. There's a great deal excitement and awareness about the fight right now.
It seems to be a virtual certainty to break all revenue records. The last fight below heavyweight that created this type of interest was the first pay-per-view fight that was (Ray) Leonard and (Thomas) Hearns. That fight was talked about for well over a year before it happened. People couldn't wait for it to happen. They just let it cook for a while and build up momentum. There's a lot of heat that's been built up around this match.
You tried to help out both sides by asking Sen. John McCain to mediate the dispute?
I suggested they should bring in Senator McCain to arbitrate because he's a regular at big fights. He himself was an amateur fighter at Annapolis in the Navy. Everybody agreed except Pacquiao. I can understand Pacquiao's point: Who's Senator McCain? He's an American politician. He's being insulted and accused of wrongdoing because he's so good.
So what's your final verdict on Pacquiao?
If (his trainer) Freddie Roach says he's clean — and he's as straight a shooter as there is in boxing — I believe Freddie Roach.
Source: usatoday.com
If recent history is a guide, especially the last three decades, making big fights takes patience. No one knows that any better than HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant, who has intervened in an effort to help bridge the divide between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Negotiations are at a standstill because Mayweather wants random blood testing — not required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission which only tests urine. Pacquiao has agreed to three blood tests instead. Merchant, who has been with HBO since 1978, recently talked with USA TODAY:
When negotiations came to a sudden halt, after it appeared March 13 in Las Vegas was all but a certainty, what were your thoughts?
I thought it was just some gamesmanship by Mayweather who has a certain talent for mind games with opponents, creating conflict to help promote events. It appears that it has spiraled out of control. I couldn't imagine why. First of all, since he thinks he's going to win the fight and second of all because he's going to make upwards of 30 million or 40 million dollars, how could you take it seriously?
They seem serious about it. Almost as if they were saying Pacquiao can't be this good on his own. Now it's seems like it's a bloodbath. There's no precedent for fighters who have already decided how to divide the money then find issues that would break up a huge event. It's hard to take seriously even if it appears to be serious.
Do you think Golden Boy Promotions' demand for random blood testing is reasonable?
I see no indications that Pacquiao is anything but an exceptional, elite fighter. There are many precedents in boxing of smaller fighters to move up in weight division and be successful later in their careers.
(Golden Boy president) Oscar De La Hoya himself started out as a 130-pound titleholder and wound up fighting middleweights which is 30 pounds north of that. It seems like its some sort of ploy. But if both sides take it seriously and both sides see it as a test of their will. And then you get involved with personal issues, then maybe it's more out of control than anybody could imagine.
Old feuds have gotten into this between Mayweather and (Pacquiao's promoter Bob) Arum and Arum and De La Hoya. I've always looked upon these types of negotiations as a kind of ritual of dominance. 'I can impose my will on you in the negotiations, therefore I can impose my will on you in the fight.'
Pacquiao turned pro at 106 pounds, but he was only 16 years old. Is it that uncommon for a fighter to compete in multiple divisions, especially with all the sport's "junior" divisions?
Henry Armstrong turned pro at 120. He also fought for a middleweight championship. Alexis Arguello was a bantamweight when he started as a 16-year-old but he wound up fighting in the 140s. Ted "Kid" Lewis started as a bantamweight, and after winning the welterweight championship wound up fighting the top light heavyweights in the world. There are guys who are exceptions to the rule. Pacquiao fights in the low '40s. That means he has breakfast and lunch before the weigh-in where most fighters eat lightly, if at all. He's done a few amazing things. It's not like he's going around knocking everybody stiff with one punch. He's a boxer-puncher who has won on his boxing ability and his quickness. He hit De La Hoya with a flurry of 50 or 60 clean punches and never knocked him down. He's not Superman's son. He's just a helluva fighter who has captured the imagination of the fight world and become a kind of international cultural figure who transcends the sport.
What are the chances this fight happens in 2010?
(Bernard) Hopkins and (Roy) Jones were negotiating for a decade it seemed for a rematch from their 1993 fight. But that was about money. I don't think the boxing world grieves over the fact that it didn't get made. There's so much money involved here, even if irrationality triumphs over rationality, I think eventually the fight will get made. If they can't come to terms for a March fight then I think it'll happen at some later date. I think by the end of the holidays cooler heads will come to a compromise.
After Pacquiao knocked out Miguel Cotto, there was a positive energy looking ahead to him facing Mayweather. While this still would be a megafight, the headlines have a more negative tone. Does that matter?
There was a certain momentum that was moving along at a furious pace. The fact of the matter is, everybody except Pacquiao would prefer the fight to happen later now. The March date was picked out because he's running for political office in May (in the Philippines) and didn't want to fight after the middle of March. It would still be a huge event. Could it lose some of its mojo? Who knows. Maybe so. There's a great deal excitement and awareness about the fight right now.
It seems to be a virtual certainty to break all revenue records. The last fight below heavyweight that created this type of interest was the first pay-per-view fight that was (Ray) Leonard and (Thomas) Hearns. That fight was talked about for well over a year before it happened. People couldn't wait for it to happen. They just let it cook for a while and build up momentum. There's a lot of heat that's been built up around this match.
You tried to help out both sides by asking Sen. John McCain to mediate the dispute?
I suggested they should bring in Senator McCain to arbitrate because he's a regular at big fights. He himself was an amateur fighter at Annapolis in the Navy. Everybody agreed except Pacquiao. I can understand Pacquiao's point: Who's Senator McCain? He's an American politician. He's being insulted and accused of wrongdoing because he's so good.
So what's your final verdict on Pacquiao?
If (his trainer) Freddie Roach says he's clean — and he's as straight a shooter as there is in boxing — I believe Freddie Roach.
Source: usatoday.com
Drug row testing the limits of our credulity -- Irish Times
The Irish Times
AMERICA AT LARGE: There are strong suspicions that Floyd Mayweather’s demand that Manny Pacquiao pass a blood test is just a ruse to avoid getting himself beat up, writes GEORGE KIMBALL
I GUESS the first question you might ask yourself is this: would you die unfulfilled if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather never did fight each other? Didn’t think so.
In fact, in the midst of the charges and countercharges flung about over the past couple of weeks, the one constant has been the assertion from both sides that the failure of the March 13th megafight to come off would somehow lead to the ruination of boxing.
Or, as Mayweather has put it, “When I leave, the sport is dead”. (When Floyd leaves, who could tell? I mean, the guy has had five fights in five years.)
The coffers of the respective promoters, on the other hand, would each be enriched by upwards of €8 million, which does make you wonder why Top Rank’s Bob Arum and Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer have so enthusiastically carried the water for their pugilists in a very public war of words seemingly designed to torpedo its chances of coming off at all.
Unless that was the goal all along.
Say you’re Mayweather and you’ve spent the past few years watching Pacquiao absolutely pulverise guys like Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. If you’ve absolutely no interest in having the same thing happen to you, but you’d also like to keep your options open, wouldn’t it be clever to say, “Manny Pacquiao? I can’t wait to fight him!”
At the same time, cloaking that proposal in conditions that are bound to be so humiliatingly insulting that their acceptance would create the widespread impression that Manny is Floyd’s bitch would pretty much guarantee that he didn’t have to get in the ring with Pacquiao.
This would be an even cleverer tactic if you could insulate yourself by persuading a third party – say, one who speaks with a Teutonic accent – to deliver the ultimatum.
And as Arum noted this week, who made Mayweather the commissioner of boxing, anyway?
Am I saying here that Pacquiao is squeaky-clean and has never used performance-enhancing drugs? I don’t know that to be a fact, but I do know he has been repeatedly tested over the course of his 55-fight career and has never come up positive for anything. And that presumably includes yesterday morning, when he got up and peed in a bottle in General Santos City in response to a demand for “immediate, out-of-competition urine tests” ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
(And in the midst of all this posturing, wasn’t the NSAC doing a bit of that themselves? Since Pacquiao-Mayweather not only has not been signed, but has no official venue,, by leaping into the fray at that particular moment was the Nevada commission trying to eradicate the Cowboys Stadium option by creating the impression that Las Vegas was now fait accompli?)
Here’s something I do know for a fact: unlike Pacquiao, Shane Mosley does have a history of Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). When he tested positive for steroids, Sugar Shane claimed he used the Balco designer drugs “the cream” and “the clear” unknowingly. Right. And the dog ate my homework.
Less than two years ago, at a New York press conference announcing a fight between Zab Judah and Mosley, Judah and his attorney, Michael Shinefield, told me of their intent formally to request both boxers agree to blood tests administered by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“It’s an expensive test, but we’re willing to pay for it,” said Shinefield, who noted that Nevada testing procedures were limited to urinalysis.
Here’s what Richard Schaefer had to say that day: “Whatever tests (the NSAC) wants them to take, we will submit to, but we are not going to do other tests than the Nevada commission requires. The fact is, Shane is not a cheater and he does not need to be treated like one.”
That’s the same Richard Schaefer who less than two weeks ago insisted that Pacquiao agree to Olympic-type, random blood testing as a precondition to a Mayweather fight.
Then, just a couple of days ago, Schaefer blamed the media for the widespread confusion over the issue, noting that many sportswriters “don’t know the difference between blood and urine testing”.
It might be a sad commentary on the age in which we live, but, as a class, sportswriters probably know more about drug-testing procedures than any other group you could name – including, and maybe even particularly, athletes themselves.
For the record, Pacquiao did not reject blood testing out of hand. He agreed to have blood drawn at the press conference announcing a Mayweather fight, another one 30 days beforehand and a third in his dressing-room immediately following the bout – but not to unannounced tests he claimed might “weaken” him at a critical stage of his training regimen.
If that timetable doesn’t sound especially random to you, you’re right. Nor did Pacquiao’s other explanations: that he is phobic about needles (this from a guy who is a walking billboard for Filipino tattoo parlours) or that he just doesn’t like to have blood drawn. (“Who does?” asked Mayweather.)
Golden Boy cast further doubt on Pacquiao’s stance when it leaked to some of its favoured media lackeys that HBO’s 24/7 series showed Manny having blood drawn less than two weeks before last May’s fight against Hatton. Turns out the 24/7 episode had been taped several weeks earlier.
So who is telling the truth here? Nobody – although Arum’s supposition that Mayweather never did want the fight should not be lightly dismissed. Both sides now say that Pacquiao- Mayweather will either be signed by this morning or dead altogether, and Arum has already provisionally lined up Paulie Malignaggi as a March 13th Pacquiao opponent should it go up in smoke.
And should they reach a last-minute accord? Well, the rule of thumb in the boxing business is that it takes at least three months to properly promote a pay-per-view event of this magnitude.
That the parties are well inside that limit already would be of scant consequence.
Haven’t they already had your undivided attention for the past two weeks?
“Here’s something I do know for a fact: unlike Pacquiao, Shane Mosley does have a history of Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). When he tested positive for steroids, Sugar Shane claimed he used the Balco designer drugs “the cream” and “the clear” unknowingly. Right. And the dog ate my homework.
Source: irishtimes.com
AMERICA AT LARGE: There are strong suspicions that Floyd Mayweather’s demand that Manny Pacquiao pass a blood test is just a ruse to avoid getting himself beat up, writes GEORGE KIMBALL
I GUESS the first question you might ask yourself is this: would you die unfulfilled if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather never did fight each other? Didn’t think so.
In fact, in the midst of the charges and countercharges flung about over the past couple of weeks, the one constant has been the assertion from both sides that the failure of the March 13th megafight to come off would somehow lead to the ruination of boxing.
Or, as Mayweather has put it, “When I leave, the sport is dead”. (When Floyd leaves, who could tell? I mean, the guy has had five fights in five years.)
The coffers of the respective promoters, on the other hand, would each be enriched by upwards of €8 million, which does make you wonder why Top Rank’s Bob Arum and Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer have so enthusiastically carried the water for their pugilists in a very public war of words seemingly designed to torpedo its chances of coming off at all.
Unless that was the goal all along.
Say you’re Mayweather and you’ve spent the past few years watching Pacquiao absolutely pulverise guys like Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. If you’ve absolutely no interest in having the same thing happen to you, but you’d also like to keep your options open, wouldn’t it be clever to say, “Manny Pacquiao? I can’t wait to fight him!”
At the same time, cloaking that proposal in conditions that are bound to be so humiliatingly insulting that their acceptance would create the widespread impression that Manny is Floyd’s bitch would pretty much guarantee that he didn’t have to get in the ring with Pacquiao.
This would be an even cleverer tactic if you could insulate yourself by persuading a third party – say, one who speaks with a Teutonic accent – to deliver the ultimatum.
And as Arum noted this week, who made Mayweather the commissioner of boxing, anyway?
Am I saying here that Pacquiao is squeaky-clean and has never used performance-enhancing drugs? I don’t know that to be a fact, but I do know he has been repeatedly tested over the course of his 55-fight career and has never come up positive for anything. And that presumably includes yesterday morning, when he got up and peed in a bottle in General Santos City in response to a demand for “immediate, out-of-competition urine tests” ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
(And in the midst of all this posturing, wasn’t the NSAC doing a bit of that themselves? Since Pacquiao-Mayweather not only has not been signed, but has no official venue,, by leaping into the fray at that particular moment was the Nevada commission trying to eradicate the Cowboys Stadium option by creating the impression that Las Vegas was now fait accompli?)
Here’s something I do know for a fact: unlike Pacquiao, Shane Mosley does have a history of Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). When he tested positive for steroids, Sugar Shane claimed he used the Balco designer drugs “the cream” and “the clear” unknowingly. Right. And the dog ate my homework.
Less than two years ago, at a New York press conference announcing a fight between Zab Judah and Mosley, Judah and his attorney, Michael Shinefield, told me of their intent formally to request both boxers agree to blood tests administered by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“It’s an expensive test, but we’re willing to pay for it,” said Shinefield, who noted that Nevada testing procedures were limited to urinalysis.
Here’s what Richard Schaefer had to say that day: “Whatever tests (the NSAC) wants them to take, we will submit to, but we are not going to do other tests than the Nevada commission requires. The fact is, Shane is not a cheater and he does not need to be treated like one.”
That’s the same Richard Schaefer who less than two weeks ago insisted that Pacquiao agree to Olympic-type, random blood testing as a precondition to a Mayweather fight.
Then, just a couple of days ago, Schaefer blamed the media for the widespread confusion over the issue, noting that many sportswriters “don’t know the difference between blood and urine testing”.
It might be a sad commentary on the age in which we live, but, as a class, sportswriters probably know more about drug-testing procedures than any other group you could name – including, and maybe even particularly, athletes themselves.
For the record, Pacquiao did not reject blood testing out of hand. He agreed to have blood drawn at the press conference announcing a Mayweather fight, another one 30 days beforehand and a third in his dressing-room immediately following the bout – but not to unannounced tests he claimed might “weaken” him at a critical stage of his training regimen.
If that timetable doesn’t sound especially random to you, you’re right. Nor did Pacquiao’s other explanations: that he is phobic about needles (this from a guy who is a walking billboard for Filipino tattoo parlours) or that he just doesn’t like to have blood drawn. (“Who does?” asked Mayweather.)
Golden Boy cast further doubt on Pacquiao’s stance when it leaked to some of its favoured media lackeys that HBO’s 24/7 series showed Manny having blood drawn less than two weeks before last May’s fight against Hatton. Turns out the 24/7 episode had been taped several weeks earlier.
So who is telling the truth here? Nobody – although Arum’s supposition that Mayweather never did want the fight should not be lightly dismissed. Both sides now say that Pacquiao- Mayweather will either be signed by this morning or dead altogether, and Arum has already provisionally lined up Paulie Malignaggi as a March 13th Pacquiao opponent should it go up in smoke.
And should they reach a last-minute accord? Well, the rule of thumb in the boxing business is that it takes at least three months to properly promote a pay-per-view event of this magnitude.
That the parties are well inside that limit already would be of scant consequence.
Haven’t they already had your undivided attention for the past two weeks?
“Here’s something I do know for a fact: unlike Pacquiao, Shane Mosley does have a history of Peds (performance-enhancing drugs). When he tested positive for steroids, Sugar Shane claimed he used the Balco designer drugs “the cream” and “the clear” unknowingly. Right. And the dog ate my homework.
Source: irishtimes.com
Pacquiao files suit against Mayweathers -- Miami Herald
By TIM DAHLBERG, The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao upped the ante Wednesday in his standoff with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by filing a lawsuit alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
The suit filed in federal court in Las Vegas further complicates efforts to reach an agreement for a proposed March 13 fight between the two boxers. The fight has been stalled by demands by the Mayweather camp that both fighters submit to random blood and urine tests leading up to the bout.
Pacquiao claimed in the suit that he has never tested positive for any performance-enhancing drugs, but that Mayweather, his father and uncle, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions chief Richard Schaefer embarked on a campaign to make people think he used drugs.
"The truth did not stop Mayweather and the others," the suit contends. "That is because they are motivated by ill will, spite, malice, revenge and envy."
Pacquiao's attorney, Dan Petrocelli, said his client could be out millions of dollars if boxing fans believe he used steroids or human growth hormone to win titles in seven weight classes.
"The damage to his reputation and lost business opportunities could be in the tens of millions of dollars," Petrocelli said.
The suit cites various interviews done by the defendants in which they intimated that Pacquiao's strength and power did not all come naturally. Among the interviews cited was an October radio interview in which Mayweather Jr. allegedly said Pacquiao's physique was different "cause we know the Philippines got the best enhancing drugs."
Schaefer said the suit came as no surprise since Pacquiao had threatened it earlier in the week. He said his attorneys would respond to it, even as talks continue for the fight.
"I'm hearing these talks are being productive," Schaefer said. "Hopefully we will know something in the next couple of days."
Mayweather and Pacquiao had been expected to meet in what promises to be the richest fight ever after they reached agreement over everything from the size of their purses to the make of their gloves for the welterweight megafight. But a demand by Mayweather's camp for both fighters to be subjected to Olympic-style blood testing has stood in the way of a final agreement for the bout.
Talks over the last few days have centered on finding agreement on a date to stop blood testing before the fight, since Pacquiao believes that giving blood may weaken him, at least psychologically.
The lawsuit may not stand in the way of an agreement, but it adds to the increasing rancor between the two camps. In the suit, Pacquiao claims that comments by Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr., and trainer, Roger Mayweather, were part of a defamation campaign against him.
"Mayweather Jr. and the others set out on a course designed to destroy Pacquiao's career, reputation, honor and legacy and jeopardize his ability to earn the highest levels of compensation," the suit contends.
Source: miamiherald.com
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao upped the ante Wednesday in his standoff with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by filing a lawsuit alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
The suit filed in federal court in Las Vegas further complicates efforts to reach an agreement for a proposed March 13 fight between the two boxers. The fight has been stalled by demands by the Mayweather camp that both fighters submit to random blood and urine tests leading up to the bout.
Pacquiao claimed in the suit that he has never tested positive for any performance-enhancing drugs, but that Mayweather, his father and uncle, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions chief Richard Schaefer embarked on a campaign to make people think he used drugs.
"The truth did not stop Mayweather and the others," the suit contends. "That is because they are motivated by ill will, spite, malice, revenge and envy."
Pacquiao's attorney, Dan Petrocelli, said his client could be out millions of dollars if boxing fans believe he used steroids or human growth hormone to win titles in seven weight classes.
"The damage to his reputation and lost business opportunities could be in the tens of millions of dollars," Petrocelli said.
The suit cites various interviews done by the defendants in which they intimated that Pacquiao's strength and power did not all come naturally. Among the interviews cited was an October radio interview in which Mayweather Jr. allegedly said Pacquiao's physique was different "cause we know the Philippines got the best enhancing drugs."
Schaefer said the suit came as no surprise since Pacquiao had threatened it earlier in the week. He said his attorneys would respond to it, even as talks continue for the fight.
"I'm hearing these talks are being productive," Schaefer said. "Hopefully we will know something in the next couple of days."
Mayweather and Pacquiao had been expected to meet in what promises to be the richest fight ever after they reached agreement over everything from the size of their purses to the make of their gloves for the welterweight megafight. But a demand by Mayweather's camp for both fighters to be subjected to Olympic-style blood testing has stood in the way of a final agreement for the bout.
Talks over the last few days have centered on finding agreement on a date to stop blood testing before the fight, since Pacquiao believes that giving blood may weaken him, at least psychologically.
The lawsuit may not stand in the way of an agreement, but it adds to the increasing rancor between the two camps. In the suit, Pacquiao claims that comments by Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr., and trainer, Roger Mayweather, were part of a defamation campaign against him.
"Mayweather Jr. and the others set out on a course designed to destroy Pacquiao's career, reputation, honor and legacy and jeopardize his ability to earn the highest levels of compensation," the suit contends.
Source: miamiherald.com
Manny Pacquiao challenges Yuri Foreman March 20 -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
I told you that Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum was completely frustrated.
Now the Pacman promoter, unable to get the Floyd Mayweather camp to come off its persistent demand for random blood testing, has turned to his own stable of fighters to select the Pinoy Idol's next ring foe.
As he suggested several times before, Arum is going to match Manny up against newly crowned WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman--he of Belarus, Israel and now Brooklyn. The likely date for the bout is March 20, a week after the projected Mayweather-Pacquiao date at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Vegas will be the site for Pacquiao-Foreman as Pacman attempts to make more ring history by winning a world title in a record eighth weight class. When he stopped Miguel Cotto Nov. 14 for two welterweight crowns, Pacquiao recorded his seventh weight class world title bout.
Arum may swtich venues from the MGM to the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.
Arum will meet with Foreman's manager, restaurant owner Murray Wilson, on Sunday morning in Las Vegas.
So maybe the "odds and ends" of the deal for the rabbinical student's first title defense will be made over bagels and lox.
Certainly, you could say that Mayweather's misfortune, in killing or deferring a $30 million paynight, is good lox for young Foreman.
Here's one future rabbi who will never go hungry.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
I told you that Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum was completely frustrated.
Now the Pacman promoter, unable to get the Floyd Mayweather camp to come off its persistent demand for random blood testing, has turned to his own stable of fighters to select the Pinoy Idol's next ring foe.
As he suggested several times before, Arum is going to match Manny up against newly crowned WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman--he of Belarus, Israel and now Brooklyn. The likely date for the bout is March 20, a week after the projected Mayweather-Pacquiao date at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Vegas will be the site for Pacquiao-Foreman as Pacman attempts to make more ring history by winning a world title in a record eighth weight class. When he stopped Miguel Cotto Nov. 14 for two welterweight crowns, Pacquiao recorded his seventh weight class world title bout.
Arum may swtich venues from the MGM to the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.
Arum will meet with Foreman's manager, restaurant owner Murray Wilson, on Sunday morning in Las Vegas.
So maybe the "odds and ends" of the deal for the rabbinical student's first title defense will be made over bagels and lox.
Certainly, you could say that Mayweather's misfortune, in killing or deferring a $30 million paynight, is good lox for young Foreman.
Here's one future rabbi who will never go hungry.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
If Pacquiao-Mayweather Fizzles, Pacquaio-Foreman Might Flourish -- The Sweet Science
By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science
Team Pacquiao couldn't be faulted if they just said to heck with it, money is nice, but this negotiation session to set up Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has been a monstrous pain in the butt. Could you blame them if they said let's come back to the concept when everyone has simmered down, maybe in a couple of months, and in the meantime, set up a bout to keep Manny busy, while Floyd decides how many hurdles he wants to set up to make Manny-Money a go.
If Team Pacquaio decides to table the Mayweather deal for the moment, and hash out blood-urine-hair testing parameters outside of the gaze of the keyboard tappers, then what or who is Plan B? It's looking like 28-0 (8 KOs) WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman as of right now.
The Brighton Bad Boy Mike Marley thinks Pacquaio-Foreman is thisclose to being a done deal for March 20 in Vegas. Team Foreman PR director Dovid Efune counsels us not to book our flights and rooms just yet.
"Team Pacquaio and Team Foreman are talking," Efune told TSS. "But nothing is confirmed. We're all still unsure whether Pacquiao and Mayweather might still be on. We're unsure whether anything is concrete.
"We were told very, very early on by Top Rank that we were likely next in line as an opponent. As opposed to Pacquiao fighting Malignaggi or Tim Bradley, Pacquiao-Foreman would be more exciting. No, it's not a fight like against Cotto, Yuri moves around the ring like a dreidel! And it's one more weight class, another belt for Manny, in the eighth weight class. What would Pacquiao want from Malignaggi? He'd have to drop down in weight for that. Fighting Maliganggi isn't making history, versus Yuri, Manny could be making history."
Team Foreman has eyes wide open on this thing. They realize they could be used as a bargaining chip, to bring Team Mayweather closer to a deal, as the Mayweather crew realizes Manny has leverage to do other things, and make noise, and make money.
"What's wrong with being used as a bargaining chip?" said the affable Efune with a chuckle. "From a professional perspective, compared to where we were a year or two years ago, it's an honor and a privilege to be discussed in terms of fighting Pacquiao."
And if talks with Mayweather crater completely, or there is an agreement to revisit the event after a cool-down period, would the 29-year-old New Yorker Foreman insist that Pacquiao jump through umpteen testing hoops to insure his cleanliness from PEDs?
"That's a good question," Efune said. "I'm not aware that's something being discussed. But the fact that both Pacquiao and Foreman are promoted by Top Rank, I think that would mean making this fight would be easier. I think the Nevada commission's testing regulation have worked until now, have been strong enough. When we were to get down to the nitty gritty, it'll be easier to make Pacquiao-Foreman than Pacquaio-Mayweather because of the closer circle of people involved.'
Source: thesweetscience.com
Team Pacquiao couldn't be faulted if they just said to heck with it, money is nice, but this negotiation session to set up Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has been a monstrous pain in the butt. Could you blame them if they said let's come back to the concept when everyone has simmered down, maybe in a couple of months, and in the meantime, set up a bout to keep Manny busy, while Floyd decides how many hurdles he wants to set up to make Manny-Money a go.
If Team Pacquaio decides to table the Mayweather deal for the moment, and hash out blood-urine-hair testing parameters outside of the gaze of the keyboard tappers, then what or who is Plan B? It's looking like 28-0 (8 KOs) WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman as of right now.
The Brighton Bad Boy Mike Marley thinks Pacquaio-Foreman is thisclose to being a done deal for March 20 in Vegas. Team Foreman PR director Dovid Efune counsels us not to book our flights and rooms just yet.
"Team Pacquaio and Team Foreman are talking," Efune told TSS. "But nothing is confirmed. We're all still unsure whether Pacquiao and Mayweather might still be on. We're unsure whether anything is concrete.
"We were told very, very early on by Top Rank that we were likely next in line as an opponent. As opposed to Pacquiao fighting Malignaggi or Tim Bradley, Pacquiao-Foreman would be more exciting. No, it's not a fight like against Cotto, Yuri moves around the ring like a dreidel! And it's one more weight class, another belt for Manny, in the eighth weight class. What would Pacquiao want from Malignaggi? He'd have to drop down in weight for that. Fighting Maliganggi isn't making history, versus Yuri, Manny could be making history."
Team Foreman has eyes wide open on this thing. They realize they could be used as a bargaining chip, to bring Team Mayweather closer to a deal, as the Mayweather crew realizes Manny has leverage to do other things, and make noise, and make money.
"What's wrong with being used as a bargaining chip?" said the affable Efune with a chuckle. "From a professional perspective, compared to where we were a year or two years ago, it's an honor and a privilege to be discussed in terms of fighting Pacquiao."
And if talks with Mayweather crater completely, or there is an agreement to revisit the event after a cool-down period, would the 29-year-old New Yorker Foreman insist that Pacquiao jump through umpteen testing hoops to insure his cleanliness from PEDs?
"That's a good question," Efune said. "I'm not aware that's something being discussed. But the fact that both Pacquiao and Foreman are promoted by Top Rank, I think that would mean making this fight would be easier. I think the Nevada commission's testing regulation have worked until now, have been strong enough. When we were to get down to the nitty gritty, it'll be easier to make Pacquiao-Foreman than Pacquaio-Mayweather because of the closer circle of people involved.'
Source: thesweetscience.com
Manny Pacquiao Makes Final Statement With Lawsuit Against Floyd Mayweather -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
A lawsuit filed on behalf of Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character names Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, as well as Floyd Mayweather. Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Sr., attorney Daniel Petrocelli told FanHouse, moments ago.
A senior attorney with the Los Angeles-based O'Melveny and Myers law firm, who gained a wrongful death civil conviction against O.J. Simpson in 1997, Petrocelli was reached within an hour of filing the suit.
"We filed a defamation of character lawsuit in the federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada, against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer based on their false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance -- knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," said Petrocelli.
"We may be naming others as well, and may be adding others who have made comments since the lawsuit was filed. These guys have no right saying what they're saying. It's knowingly false, highly injurious," said Petrocelli. "Manny has an absolutely unblemished reputation, and accomplished extraordinary achievements through hard work and preparation.. He can't sit by and allow people to accuse him of cheating because they can't beat him in the ring."
Schaefer could not be reached for comment.
In what he calls "my last official statement regarding" these matters, Pacquiao, a seven-division world champion, addressed rumors concerning steroid use, his ability to gain weight, and his view of the drug-testing controversy which appears to have scuttled negotiations for his potential WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title defense against Mayweather.
"There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers, to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing," said Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts).
"As I have stated before I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like. I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating.
"I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with."
Pacquiao and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) were tentatively slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but promoter, Bob Arum, said that the "filing of a [defamation of character lawsuit] on Wednesday in the federal court in Las Vegas "effectively terminates everything.
"Dan Petrocelli, one of the senior litigating partners, has filed the suit in Las Vegas," said Arum. "So this is serious stuff."
Petrocelli said the suit seeks "compensatory and punitive damages."
"No amount of money is specified," said Petrocelli, "but given the damage that these people have already done, it would be in the tens and tens of millions of dollars."
Potentially the most lucrative matchup in boxing history, the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout was expected to garner a career-best of nearly $40 million for each fighter. But negotiations became increasingly contentious since they began shortly after Pacquiao's 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.
Mayweather's side had demanded that both fighters be randomly tested for drugs using urinalysis and blood work that could be drawn as close to the fight as possible, while Pacquiao had agreed only to random urine tests, contending that he would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight because taking blood from him that close to the competition would weaken him.
"My concern as a fighter is that there should be some limitations and agreements on how much blood they can take from someone prior to a fight. My other concern is how close to the actual fight itself can they take the blood," said Pacquiao. "It is my opinion that taking blood from a person can weaken you. I do not want to be in a weakened state when I enter the ring against any fighter."
Pacquiao was, however, found to have had blood drawn 24 days from his May 2, second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton.
"My concern has never been with someone randomly checking me with regards to blood or urine. I volunteered immediately to have my urine tested anytime someone wanted to -- all the way up to the time I am walking into the ring," said Pacquiao.
"It was later brought to my attention and the attention of my staff that you can not test for synthetic growth hormone through urine; you could only detect synthetic growth hormone through blood tests," said Pacquiao. "Before all of these blood-testing and demands from other people, I had never even heard of synthetic growth hormone. I have never seen it before nor have I ever used it."
The 31-year-old Pacquiao, whose career began at 106 pounds, attributes his ability to carry his power from lower to higher weight classes to the fact that "I eat foods that build muscle," and, "I work out hard."
"I take my training very serious. I train 30 rounds a day to be in the best shape during a fight so I can give the fans the best show I can. I eat very healthy -- like chicken and fish and a lot of rice," said Pacquiao. "In order to make these new heavier weight classes, I have to eat more then I have ever eaten in my life. I actually have to eat five times a day and bigger meals than I have ever eaten before."
Citing "hard feelings," Arum had said that he was prepared to announce New York's newly-crowned, WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion, Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs), as the new opponent for Pacquiao.
"This thing [Mayweather fight] is hopeless. We feel that we've been trying, but that this isn't going to happen," said Arum, who also promotes Foreman.
"I think that we're going to end up going with Foreman. Although it's not official yet, that's my position at this time," said Arum. "We're going ahead, I'm going to enjoy the New Year, and then, I'll be back in Las Vegas on Saturday night. By Monday, we'll have everything put together."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
A lawsuit filed on behalf of Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character names Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, as well as Floyd Mayweather. Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Sr., attorney Daniel Petrocelli told FanHouse, moments ago.
A senior attorney with the Los Angeles-based O'Melveny and Myers law firm, who gained a wrongful death civil conviction against O.J. Simpson in 1997, Petrocelli was reached within an hour of filing the suit.
"We filed a defamation of character lawsuit in the federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada, against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer based on their false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance -- knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," said Petrocelli.
"We may be naming others as well, and may be adding others who have made comments since the lawsuit was filed. These guys have no right saying what they're saying. It's knowingly false, highly injurious," said Petrocelli. "Manny has an absolutely unblemished reputation, and accomplished extraordinary achievements through hard work and preparation.. He can't sit by and allow people to accuse him of cheating because they can't beat him in the ring."
Schaefer could not be reached for comment.
In what he calls "my last official statement regarding" these matters, Pacquiao, a seven-division world champion, addressed rumors concerning steroid use, his ability to gain weight, and his view of the drug-testing controversy which appears to have scuttled negotiations for his potential WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title defense against Mayweather.
"There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers, to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing," said Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts).
"As I have stated before I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like. I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating.
"I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with."
Pacquiao and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) were tentatively slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but promoter, Bob Arum, said that the "filing of a [defamation of character lawsuit] on Wednesday in the federal court in Las Vegas "effectively terminates everything.
"Dan Petrocelli, one of the senior litigating partners, has filed the suit in Las Vegas," said Arum. "So this is serious stuff."
Petrocelli said the suit seeks "compensatory and punitive damages."
"No amount of money is specified," said Petrocelli, "but given the damage that these people have already done, it would be in the tens and tens of millions of dollars."
Potentially the most lucrative matchup in boxing history, the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout was expected to garner a career-best of nearly $40 million for each fighter. But negotiations became increasingly contentious since they began shortly after Pacquiao's 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.
Mayweather's side had demanded that both fighters be randomly tested for drugs using urinalysis and blood work that could be drawn as close to the fight as possible, while Pacquiao had agreed only to random urine tests, contending that he would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight because taking blood from him that close to the competition would weaken him.
"My concern as a fighter is that there should be some limitations and agreements on how much blood they can take from someone prior to a fight. My other concern is how close to the actual fight itself can they take the blood," said Pacquiao. "It is my opinion that taking blood from a person can weaken you. I do not want to be in a weakened state when I enter the ring against any fighter."
Pacquiao was, however, found to have had blood drawn 24 days from his May 2, second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton.
"My concern has never been with someone randomly checking me with regards to blood or urine. I volunteered immediately to have my urine tested anytime someone wanted to -- all the way up to the time I am walking into the ring," said Pacquiao.
"It was later brought to my attention and the attention of my staff that you can not test for synthetic growth hormone through urine; you could only detect synthetic growth hormone through blood tests," said Pacquiao. "Before all of these blood-testing and demands from other people, I had never even heard of synthetic growth hormone. I have never seen it before nor have I ever used it."
The 31-year-old Pacquiao, whose career began at 106 pounds, attributes his ability to carry his power from lower to higher weight classes to the fact that "I eat foods that build muscle," and, "I work out hard."
"I take my training very serious. I train 30 rounds a day to be in the best shape during a fight so I can give the fans the best show I can. I eat very healthy -- like chicken and fish and a lot of rice," said Pacquiao. "In order to make these new heavier weight classes, I have to eat more then I have ever eaten in my life. I actually have to eat five times a day and bigger meals than I have ever eaten before."
Citing "hard feelings," Arum had said that he was prepared to announce New York's newly-crowned, WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion, Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs), as the new opponent for Pacquiao.
"This thing [Mayweather fight] is hopeless. We feel that we've been trying, but that this isn't going to happen," said Arum, who also promotes Foreman.
"I think that we're going to end up going with Foreman. Although it's not official yet, that's my position at this time," said Arum. "We're going ahead, I'm going to enjoy the New Year, and then, I'll be back in Las Vegas on Saturday night. By Monday, we'll have everything put together."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Floyd Mayweather's adviser: 'Clock is ticking' on negotiations with Manny Pacquiao -- Grand Rapids Press
By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press
Manny Pacquiao’s representatives appeared ready today to pull the plug on a proposed Floyd Mayweather fight March 13, while Mayweather’s camp still held out hope for an 11th-hour resolution.
Neither side moved significantly on the drug-testing issue that has hampered Mayweather-Pacquiao talks, and Pacquiao’s promoter told a newspaper and a Web site early today that he is pursuing other options.
Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s adviser, said “the time is coming” when both parties will have to head in opposite directions and abandon a Mayweather-Pacquiao proposal now only 2 1/2 months away.
“The clock is ticking,” Ellerbe said today. “It’ll get resolved, one way or another. Either he (Pacquiao) is going to step up to the plate or he isn’t.”
Still, Ellerbe said Mayweather is holding out hope for that resolution to come this week, in time for a fight announcement next week.
“It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” Ellerbe said.
If the fight is not finalized this week, it indeed will be over, Ellerbe acknowledged, with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day theoretically cutting into that work week.
“Holidays mean nothing, you know that,” he said. “We always work holidays.”
It may be over already, though.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, who is vacationing in Mexico, did not return a telephone message from The Press this afternoon, but told the Los Angeles Times that he anticipates switching focus to negotiations for Pacquiao to fight Yuri Foreman, the World Boxing Association super welterweight title-holder whom he also promotes.
The Times quoted Arum as saying that both camps’ positions “are hardening,” and it may be best to revisit Mayweather-Pacquiao for later next year, although it said he acknowledged a remote possibility that those positions could soften.
Arum told the Times that he had not heard back from the Mayweather camp pertaining the possibility of the Nevada Athletic Commission presiding over drug testing for the fight, as usually occurs with a fight in that state.
Arum also told the Web site Examiner.com that he had not been able to contact Pacquiao in The Philippines regarding the Mayweather camp’s final position and said “this thing ain’t gonna happen. That is for sure."
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
Manny Pacquiao’s representatives appeared ready today to pull the plug on a proposed Floyd Mayweather fight March 13, while Mayweather’s camp still held out hope for an 11th-hour resolution.
Neither side moved significantly on the drug-testing issue that has hampered Mayweather-Pacquiao talks, and Pacquiao’s promoter told a newspaper and a Web site early today that he is pursuing other options.
Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s adviser, said “the time is coming” when both parties will have to head in opposite directions and abandon a Mayweather-Pacquiao proposal now only 2 1/2 months away.
“The clock is ticking,” Ellerbe said today. “It’ll get resolved, one way or another. Either he (Pacquiao) is going to step up to the plate or he isn’t.”
Still, Ellerbe said Mayweather is holding out hope for that resolution to come this week, in time for a fight announcement next week.
“It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” Ellerbe said.
If the fight is not finalized this week, it indeed will be over, Ellerbe acknowledged, with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day theoretically cutting into that work week.
“Holidays mean nothing, you know that,” he said. “We always work holidays.”
It may be over already, though.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, who is vacationing in Mexico, did not return a telephone message from The Press this afternoon, but told the Los Angeles Times that he anticipates switching focus to negotiations for Pacquiao to fight Yuri Foreman, the World Boxing Association super welterweight title-holder whom he also promotes.
The Times quoted Arum as saying that both camps’ positions “are hardening,” and it may be best to revisit Mayweather-Pacquiao for later next year, although it said he acknowledged a remote possibility that those positions could soften.
Arum told the Times that he had not heard back from the Mayweather camp pertaining the possibility of the Nevada Athletic Commission presiding over drug testing for the fight, as usually occurs with a fight in that state.
Arum also told the Web site Examiner.com that he had not been able to contact Pacquiao in The Philippines regarding the Mayweather camp’s final position and said “this thing ain’t gonna happen. That is for sure."
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
Pacquiao files defamation lawsuit against Mayweathers and Golden Boy -- Canadian Press
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao upped the ante Wednesday in his standoff with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by filing a lawsuit alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
The suit filed in federal court in Las Vegas further complicates efforts to reach an agreement for a proposed March 13 fight between the two boxers.
The suit asks for damages in excess of $75,000 and names Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr., and uncle Roger Mayweather as defendants. Also named are Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Shaefer, who operate Golden Boy Promotions and are promoting Mayweather.
The lawsuit comes as last ditch talks are still ongoing to salvage the fight, which has been derailed by demands from Mayweather's camp for random blood testing of the two fighters.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Source: Google News
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao upped the ante Wednesday in his standoff with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by filing a lawsuit alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
The suit filed in federal court in Las Vegas further complicates efforts to reach an agreement for a proposed March 13 fight between the two boxers.
The suit asks for damages in excess of $75,000 and names Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr., and uncle Roger Mayweather as defendants. Also named are Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Shaefer, who operate Golden Boy Promotions and are promoting Mayweather.
The lawsuit comes as last ditch talks are still ongoing to salvage the fight, which has been derailed by demands from Mayweather's camp for random blood testing of the two fighters.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Source: Google News
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Pacquiao vs Mayweather: Pacquiao a champion and 'Second Greatest Boxer'...but will the fight go on? -- Examiner
By Davie Cook, Examiner.com
Pacquiao vs Mayweather is a high profile matchup between Manny Pacquiao (Pac Man) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. At first, the fight was orchestrated rather quickly, with both fighters agreeing on usually controversial items such as the purse, gloves used, weight, ring size, and more. However, Floyd Mayweather made a very odd demand that may have de-railed the entire fight: he wants an Olympic Style drug test performed.
It's not that Pacquiao won't succumb to drug testing, it's just that he doesn't want extensive blood taken before a fight. He feels that it weakens him. He agreed to urine tests and also blood tests after the fight was completed.
For Mayweather, it wasn't enough. He wanted the Olympic Style drug test, and even egged his opponent on, claiming that he had something to hide.
Big mistake.
Pacquiao made it known that he has nothing to hide, and said he might sue Mayweather for defamatory statements.
Of course all this back and forth could be a way to get fans on both sides of the ring to get really excited about the match. People all over will tune in on March 13th - that is, if the match occurs.
Mayweather has backed down from his original desires for Olympic Style drug testing. The two sides are hashing out the details of the fight and it may not be canceled after all. Manny Pacquiao was recently dubbed the "Second Greatest Boxer of All Time" after Sugar Ray Robinson. The Pac Man will likely want to defend this honor, whereas Floyd Mayweather Jr would like to be the man that beats one of the best.
Whether or not all this drama was orchestrated to increase the hype surrounding the fight, one thing is for sure: everyone wants to see the fight take place. If it does, it will take place in Las Vegas, and those outside the area will be able to watch the match on Pay Per view.
Source: examiner.com
Pacquiao vs Mayweather is a high profile matchup between Manny Pacquiao (Pac Man) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. At first, the fight was orchestrated rather quickly, with both fighters agreeing on usually controversial items such as the purse, gloves used, weight, ring size, and more. However, Floyd Mayweather made a very odd demand that may have de-railed the entire fight: he wants an Olympic Style drug test performed.
It's not that Pacquiao won't succumb to drug testing, it's just that he doesn't want extensive blood taken before a fight. He feels that it weakens him. He agreed to urine tests and also blood tests after the fight was completed.
For Mayweather, it wasn't enough. He wanted the Olympic Style drug test, and even egged his opponent on, claiming that he had something to hide.
Big mistake.
Pacquiao made it known that he has nothing to hide, and said he might sue Mayweather for defamatory statements.
Of course all this back and forth could be a way to get fans on both sides of the ring to get really excited about the match. People all over will tune in on March 13th - that is, if the match occurs.
Mayweather has backed down from his original desires for Olympic Style drug testing. The two sides are hashing out the details of the fight and it may not be canceled after all. Manny Pacquiao was recently dubbed the "Second Greatest Boxer of All Time" after Sugar Ray Robinson. The Pac Man will likely want to defend this honor, whereas Floyd Mayweather Jr would like to be the man that beats one of the best.
Whether or not all this drama was orchestrated to increase the hype surrounding the fight, one thing is for sure: everyone wants to see the fight take place. If it does, it will take place in Las Vegas, and those outside the area will be able to watch the match on Pay Per view.
Source: examiner.com
Roach worries over drug allegations against Pacquiao -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
When allegations of drug use involving Manny Pacquiao began floating a few weeks ago, Freddie Roach said he was hardly affected.
Not anymore.
“The general public now thinks Manny’s on steroids,” Roach told the Bulletin yesterday from Los Angeles, sounding very much concerned that the Filipino pound-for-pound king is now being perceived to be guilty even though he has passed all the medical requirements in the US.
Many believe the Mayweather camp is trying to get into the head of Pacquiao, destabilize him and thus has been concocting this thing about performance-enhancing drugs.
But whatever it is, Roach said their training schedule must proceed on schedule.
Roach said he’s been unsuccessful in trying to get Pacquiao on the phone with him so they could discuss plans for the future – tops of which is the proposed March 13, 2010, super fight with Floyd Mayweather.
“This is the reason why I want to talk to him,” said Roach when asked about the possible site for training camp in the event promoters of the two fighters finally succeed in ironing out kinks. “I think we could still find a way to make the fight happen by agreeing on a compromise.”
Roach even asked the help of this writer to relay his message to Pacquiao, something that was immediately done just like in the past when the celebrated cornerman wanted to get a piece of the world’s No. 1 fighter.
“If you get to talk to Manny, tell him I want to talk to him,” added Roach.
Pacquiao has refused to give in to Mayweather’s demand that they undergo Olympic-style testing, going to the extent of threatening him and Golden Boy Promotions, the outfit that represents Mayweather, with a lawsuit for defamation.
Pacquiao said he doesn’t mind having his blood drawn as long as it is not as close to the fight date because he said it affects him mentally, something that Mayweather’s camp is not agreeable to.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Pineda of the Philippine Olympic Committee has arrived in General Santos City to supervise the initial part of the urine testing procedure on Pacquiao as per order of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Pineda said 60 ml of the urine sample will be labeled “A”, while the remaining 40 ml will be listed “B”.
If Pacquiao tests positive for a banned substance, the "B" sample will be tested to confirm if there was a discrepancy in the results.
Pineda, a member of the Southeast Asian Games region anti-doping council, said Pacquiao’s urine is scheduled to be drawn Wednesday so he could return to Manila and ship the two sets of samples to a testing center in China, Thailand or Malaysia recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Source: mb.com.ph
When allegations of drug use involving Manny Pacquiao began floating a few weeks ago, Freddie Roach said he was hardly affected.
Not anymore.
“The general public now thinks Manny’s on steroids,” Roach told the Bulletin yesterday from Los Angeles, sounding very much concerned that the Filipino pound-for-pound king is now being perceived to be guilty even though he has passed all the medical requirements in the US.
Many believe the Mayweather camp is trying to get into the head of Pacquiao, destabilize him and thus has been concocting this thing about performance-enhancing drugs.
But whatever it is, Roach said their training schedule must proceed on schedule.
Roach said he’s been unsuccessful in trying to get Pacquiao on the phone with him so they could discuss plans for the future – tops of which is the proposed March 13, 2010, super fight with Floyd Mayweather.
“This is the reason why I want to talk to him,” said Roach when asked about the possible site for training camp in the event promoters of the two fighters finally succeed in ironing out kinks. “I think we could still find a way to make the fight happen by agreeing on a compromise.”
Roach even asked the help of this writer to relay his message to Pacquiao, something that was immediately done just like in the past when the celebrated cornerman wanted to get a piece of the world’s No. 1 fighter.
“If you get to talk to Manny, tell him I want to talk to him,” added Roach.
Pacquiao has refused to give in to Mayweather’s demand that they undergo Olympic-style testing, going to the extent of threatening him and Golden Boy Promotions, the outfit that represents Mayweather, with a lawsuit for defamation.
Pacquiao said he doesn’t mind having his blood drawn as long as it is not as close to the fight date because he said it affects him mentally, something that Mayweather’s camp is not agreeable to.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Pineda of the Philippine Olympic Committee has arrived in General Santos City to supervise the initial part of the urine testing procedure on Pacquiao as per order of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Pineda said 60 ml of the urine sample will be labeled “A”, while the remaining 40 ml will be listed “B”.
If Pacquiao tests positive for a banned substance, the "B" sample will be tested to confirm if there was a discrepancy in the results.
Pineda, a member of the Southeast Asian Games region anti-doping council, said Pacquiao’s urine is scheduled to be drawn Wednesday so he could return to Manila and ship the two sets of samples to a testing center in China, Thailand or Malaysia recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Source: mb.com.ph
Manny Pacquiao testing update -- FightNews
By Nick Giongco, FightNews.com
A urine sample of Manny Pacquiao is on its way to Manila, World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) accredited doctor Alex Pineda told Fightnews and Manila Bulletin on Wednesday afternoon. Pineda, who also works for the Philippine Olympic Committee, personally witnessed the initial phase of testing at Pacquiao’s residence in General Santos City. Pineda arrived in General Santos City at around lunchtime, headed to Pacquiao’s palatial home where he got the sample, then was driven back to the airport so he could catch the plane bound for Manila.
The samples (a total of 100 ml)–labeled “A” and “B”–will be sent to Thailand, Malaysia or China because “we don’t have a Wada-accredited testing in the country,” said Pineda.
Results of the tests will be sent to his office or to the desk of Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, who had requested Pineda to go to General Santos City.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), had ordered that tests be done on Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in an effort to save their proposed super bout set March 13, 2010, from being shelved owing to a disagreement with drug testing procedures.
Pacquiao said he has been insulted by Mayweather’s demand that he undergo Olympic-style testing for banned substances.
Source: fightnews.com
A urine sample of Manny Pacquiao is on its way to Manila, World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) accredited doctor Alex Pineda told Fightnews and Manila Bulletin on Wednesday afternoon. Pineda, who also works for the Philippine Olympic Committee, personally witnessed the initial phase of testing at Pacquiao’s residence in General Santos City. Pineda arrived in General Santos City at around lunchtime, headed to Pacquiao’s palatial home where he got the sample, then was driven back to the airport so he could catch the plane bound for Manila.
The samples (a total of 100 ml)–labeled “A” and “B”–will be sent to Thailand, Malaysia or China because “we don’t have a Wada-accredited testing in the country,” said Pineda.
Results of the tests will be sent to his office or to the desk of Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, who had requested Pineda to go to General Santos City.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), had ordered that tests be done on Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in an effort to save their proposed super bout set March 13, 2010, from being shelved owing to a disagreement with drug testing procedures.
Pacquiao said he has been insulted by Mayweather’s demand that he undergo Olympic-style testing for banned substances.
Source: fightnews.com
Pacquiao’s Nevada blood test -- FightNews
FightNews.com
It has been erroneously reported that Manny Pacquiao had his blood test, required for a Nevada boxing license, taken two weeks before his fight against Ricky Hatton. The truth is, “24/7 Pacquiao-Hatton” TAPED Manny’s blood test 24 days before the fight. and aired it closer to the fight. To see a copy of Pacquiao’s blood test dated April 8 (the fight was May 2).
Source: fightnews.com
It has been erroneously reported that Manny Pacquiao had his blood test, required for a Nevada boxing license, taken two weeks before his fight against Ricky Hatton. The truth is, “24/7 Pacquiao-Hatton” TAPED Manny’s blood test 24 days before the fight. and aired it closer to the fight. To see a copy of Pacquiao’s blood test dated April 8 (the fight was May 2).
Source: fightnews.com
DR. PINEDA ARRIVES IN GENSAN. PACQUIAO TO BE TESTED THIS AFTERNOON -- PhilBoxing
By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing
Dr. Alex Pineda of the Philippine Olympic Committee who is the only doctor accredited by the World Anti Doping Agency to test athletes has arrived in General Santos City, hometown of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz informed us about the arrival of Dr. Pineda and said he would conduct the urine test on Pacquiao this afternoon as directed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Pacquiao was up early morning meeting with some of his political supporters apparently discussing his bid for a congressional seat in Sarangani in the May 2010 elections.
Pacquiao and his family will celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter Mary Divine Grace later today which was the reason for his requesting Dr. Pineda to fly to GenSan to conduct the urine test within the 48 hour period set down by the chairwoman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Pat Lundvall.
Meantime, contrary to claims that Pacquiao had taken a blood test some 14 days before his fight with Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton last May 2, respected boxing writer Rick Reeno of boxingscene.com has punched holes in the claim of Golden Boy Promotions based on verified documents that showed the blood test on Pacquiao was done 24 days before the fight.
Source: philboxing.com
Dr. Alex Pineda of the Philippine Olympic Committee who is the only doctor accredited by the World Anti Doping Agency to test athletes has arrived in General Santos City, hometown of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz informed us about the arrival of Dr. Pineda and said he would conduct the urine test on Pacquiao this afternoon as directed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Pacquiao was up early morning meeting with some of his political supporters apparently discussing his bid for a congressional seat in Sarangani in the May 2010 elections.
Pacquiao and his family will celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter Mary Divine Grace later today which was the reason for his requesting Dr. Pineda to fly to GenSan to conduct the urine test within the 48 hour period set down by the chairwoman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Pat Lundvall.
Meantime, contrary to claims that Pacquiao had taken a blood test some 14 days before his fight with Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton last May 2, respected boxing writer Rick Reeno of boxingscene.com has punched holes in the claim of Golden Boy Promotions based on verified documents that showed the blood test on Pacquiao was done 24 days before the fight.
Source: philboxing.com
Pacman blasts Floyd camp -- The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN, The Sun
MANNY PACQUIAO claims he has been stabbed in the back following his drug-testing row with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
The Filipino is furious at suggestions he has beefed up by using steroids after he refused to undergo Olympic standard testing.
Mayweather's camp are demanding Pacquiao submits blood and urine samples throughout his training regime, fight week and even the day after their proposed March 13 clash.
Pacman has agreed to unlimited urine testing and at least three blood tests, one in early January, a second 30 days before the fight and another in the dressing room immediately after the bout.
However, Mayweather's side are adamant only procedures conducted by the US Anti-Doping Agency should be used.
But Pacquiao came out shooting from the lip at the stance Mayweather and his promoters Golden Boy — headed by legend Ocar De La Hoya — have taken in the row.
He roared: "In all my years of fighting, I have never tested positive for any steroids or performance enhancing drugs use.
"I will provide any specimen, whether it be blood or urine samples, just right after the fight but not a day or two before, for obvious reasons.
"That should stop these clowns from asking for other drug testing procedures other than the ones already required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"It is a pity because Oscar Golden Boy Dela Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions should have been supporting me, too, because his company has a promotional stake in my career.
"They all say they got my back, but yes, they stab me, too, when I turn my back."
Source: thesun.co.uk
MANNY PACQUIAO claims he has been stabbed in the back following his drug-testing row with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
The Filipino is furious at suggestions he has beefed up by using steroids after he refused to undergo Olympic standard testing.
Mayweather's camp are demanding Pacquiao submits blood and urine samples throughout his training regime, fight week and even the day after their proposed March 13 clash.
Pacman has agreed to unlimited urine testing and at least three blood tests, one in early January, a second 30 days before the fight and another in the dressing room immediately after the bout.
However, Mayweather's side are adamant only procedures conducted by the US Anti-Doping Agency should be used.
But Pacquiao came out shooting from the lip at the stance Mayweather and his promoters Golden Boy — headed by legend Ocar De La Hoya — have taken in the row.
He roared: "In all my years of fighting, I have never tested positive for any steroids or performance enhancing drugs use.
"I will provide any specimen, whether it be blood or urine samples, just right after the fight but not a day or two before, for obvious reasons.
"That should stop these clowns from asking for other drug testing procedures other than the ones already required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"It is a pity because Oscar Golden Boy Dela Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions should have been supporting me, too, because his company has a promotional stake in my career.
"They all say they got my back, but yes, they stab me, too, when I turn my back."
Source: thesun.co.uk
Roy Jones Jr. takes Pacquiao’s side about the blood tests -- BoxingNews24
By Scott Gilfoid, BoxingNews24.com
The great Roy Jones Jr. is firmly on Manny Pacquiao’s side, according to an interview at Boxing Talk. Speaking about the blood tests, Jones said “Why should he [Pacquiao] change for Floyd? [Mayweather]…If you’re going to check him, why didn’t you check [Juan Manuel] Marquez? It’s kind of strange to call him out on this, and nobody else.” I totally agree with you, Roy. Why make poor Pacquiao the whipping boy for this new steroid testing? If they wanted to change the rules at this point, it should have come from the Nevada Athletic Commission, not the Mayweather camp.
I don’t blame Pacquiao for not wanting to go along with the program on this blood testing, especially when it’s not the norm for fights in Nevada. And on top of that, Pacquiao is uncomfortable with having any blood taken from his body. I could tell just watching Manny have blood taken from him on the HBO Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 series. Poor Manny had to put his sunglasses on while having his blood taken. He probably did that to shut out the experience.
It’s not easy for some people. On the surface, yeah, it seems like not a big deal for most of us, but not for him. At the same token, Pacquiao is the best there is in the ring, and he does things that we can’t or wouldn’t want to do. It just goes like that. Who wants get hit in the face? Pacquiao is fearless in that regard.
Jones says “The testing is very good right now, and there’s nothing he [Pacquiao] could really do that they can’t find out. Why make Pacquiao take the test and not anybody else?” I hear you, Roy. Why make Pacquiao the test case for this kind of thing. This stuff should have been settled long before this fight, you know? You can’t just change the rules and then demonize Manny just because he’s squeamish about having his blood taken from him. I say forget about the blood tests entirely.
If Mayweather wants fight against someone that is tested 24/7 randomly for blood, he should throw that out there to them long before it gets to the negotiating point. If they know what time it is, they can say yes or no about whether they’ll be willing to take this test. I wouldn’t take the tests if they tried to pressure me into taking them, and I don’t care what people think. There’s no reason for Pacquiao to have to do what isn’t normally done for a fight. I could udnerstand, like I said, if this was the norm, but it’s not.
So my suggestion is that they forget completely about the blood tests and just focus on having the urine tested. If Mayweather is such a great talent like he says he is, then he should be more than good enough to beat Pacquiao without these tests. Mayweather is proud about rarely getting hit in his fights, so why is he worried about the testing methods? He isn’t going to wrestle Pacquiao on the canvas. Pacquiao should tell them all to kiss his backside if they want him to take these tests.
Source: boxingnews24.com
The great Roy Jones Jr. is firmly on Manny Pacquiao’s side, according to an interview at Boxing Talk. Speaking about the blood tests, Jones said “Why should he [Pacquiao] change for Floyd? [Mayweather]…If you’re going to check him, why didn’t you check [Juan Manuel] Marquez? It’s kind of strange to call him out on this, and nobody else.” I totally agree with you, Roy. Why make poor Pacquiao the whipping boy for this new steroid testing? If they wanted to change the rules at this point, it should have come from the Nevada Athletic Commission, not the Mayweather camp.
I don’t blame Pacquiao for not wanting to go along with the program on this blood testing, especially when it’s not the norm for fights in Nevada. And on top of that, Pacquiao is uncomfortable with having any blood taken from his body. I could tell just watching Manny have blood taken from him on the HBO Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 series. Poor Manny had to put his sunglasses on while having his blood taken. He probably did that to shut out the experience.
It’s not easy for some people. On the surface, yeah, it seems like not a big deal for most of us, but not for him. At the same token, Pacquiao is the best there is in the ring, and he does things that we can’t or wouldn’t want to do. It just goes like that. Who wants get hit in the face? Pacquiao is fearless in that regard.
Jones says “The testing is very good right now, and there’s nothing he [Pacquiao] could really do that they can’t find out. Why make Pacquiao take the test and not anybody else?” I hear you, Roy. Why make Pacquiao the test case for this kind of thing. This stuff should have been settled long before this fight, you know? You can’t just change the rules and then demonize Manny just because he’s squeamish about having his blood taken from him. I say forget about the blood tests entirely.
If Mayweather wants fight against someone that is tested 24/7 randomly for blood, he should throw that out there to them long before it gets to the negotiating point. If they know what time it is, they can say yes or no about whether they’ll be willing to take this test. I wouldn’t take the tests if they tried to pressure me into taking them, and I don’t care what people think. There’s no reason for Pacquiao to have to do what isn’t normally done for a fight. I could udnerstand, like I said, if this was the norm, but it’s not.
So my suggestion is that they forget completely about the blood tests and just focus on having the urine tested. If Mayweather is such a great talent like he says he is, then he should be more than good enough to beat Pacquiao without these tests. Mayweather is proud about rarely getting hit in his fights, so why is he worried about the testing methods? He isn’t going to wrestle Pacquiao on the canvas. Pacquiao should tell them all to kiss his backside if they want him to take these tests.
Source: boxingnews24.com
Yuri Foreman is Potential Manny Pacquiao Rival -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, is strongly considering Manny Pacquiao's next opponent to be New York's WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion, Yuri Foreman, citing "too many hard feelings" as reasons for scuttling contentious negotiations for a March 13, bout with Floyd Mayweather that promised to be the most lucrative in boxing history.
Arum said he could announce Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) as the seven-division champion's next rival as early as Wednesday, with the clash between Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) in jeopardy due to an ongoing, drug-testing controversy.
"At this particular point, there is no movement at all with the Mayweather side," said Arum, "and the attitude in the Philippines is that they want to move on."
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which is working on behalf of Mayweather, could not be reached for comment.
Arum also promotes Foreman, a rabbinical student born in Gomel, Belarus. Now a Bronx resident, Foreman is the first native Israeli to win a professional boxing crown.
"I think that Foreman represents a better story for Manny," said Arum. "And it's a test for Manny to see if he can go up to an eighth weight class."
Arum said that he arrived at his decision on Monday night -- Tuesday in the Philippines -- when he spoke to Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, who is with the fighter there.
"There's so much bad feeling now, that we're better off fighting somebody else and maybe revisiting this fight with Mayweather in the fall," said Arum. "So I'm going to schedule, for late tonight, our time -- which is early in the morning in the Philippines -- to talk directly with Manny and make a decision then."
A five-time world champion, Mayweather's side is demanding that both fighters be tested using random urinalysis and blood work that could be drawn as close to the fight as possible.
Pacquiao, who is coming off of last month's 12th-round techinical knockout which dethroned Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title, has agreed to have urine tests done.
But Pacquiao has contended that he would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight because taking blood from him that close to the competition would weaken him.
The champion's assertion was challenged, however, on Monday when Mayweather's camp pointed out that Pacquiao had blood drawn during a pre-fight physical -- a procedure they believed had occurred within about two weeks of Pacquiao's second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton.
After checking with officials at HBO, however, Arum said that that notion appears to have been in error.
"We researched it, and we have all of the documentary evidence, and it was 24 days before the fight, which is very close to the 30-day period that we offered for Manny to have blood drawn. That's very significant," said Arum. "The fight was May 2, and the blood was drawn on April 8 -- 24 days before the fight. HBO made a mistake by saying that it was done at a period that they indicated was 14 days."
Arum said that the HBO footage -- as well as the notion of moving ahead with a Mayweather fight -- was brought up during his conversation with Koncz, who indicated that Pacquiao, nevertheless, wanted to go in a different direction.
"As far as I'm concerned, I really, really believe that the best course of action is to forget about this fight now, and to revisit it in the fall -- if then -- when everybody cools down," said Arum, who had first considered New York junior welterweight (140 pounds) Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five KOs) -- who also believes Pacquiao should be randomly blood-tested -- as a replacement for Mayweather.
"The people viewing it from the Philippines, and the Pacquiao camp, they're very, very angry people," said Arum. "I just don't think that they're going to be very receptive."
But another, potentially damaging question for Pacquiao was raised in a Christmas Day article written by New York Daily News columnist, Tim Smith, a boxing scribe for more than two decades and a 2005 winner of The Boxing Writer's Association of America's prestigious Nat Fleischer Award for excellence in fight coverage.
Citing "a source familiar with the talks," Smith wrote that "Pacquiao's representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn't be ruined in the public eye."
"Those are disturbing requests," wrote Smith. "It could just be due diligence on the part of the attorneys negotiating the contract or it could be that Pacquiao has something to hide."
But in a prepared statement issued on Tuesday, Pacquiao blamed Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions for "twisting facts," claiming that Mayweather, himself, has accused the Filipino fighter of being "into some kind of 'roids," of having, "used other banned substances," and "directly accused [Pacquiao] of performance enhancement drug use."
"For including my country in the picture, claiming that we are producers of the best performance enhancing drugs, Mayweather and those who are guilty need to get punished," said Pacquiao. "The sooner, the better -- whether it be in the courts or in the ring."
Golden Boy Promotions has received offficial notification of Pacquiao's plan to sue their company, Mayweather, and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., for defamation of character, said Arum.
"This morning [Tuesday], they'll get the letter about the lawsuit. It was sent today by Manny's attorney and our attorney in Los Angeles, Daniel Petrocelli, who is one of the top litigators," said Arum. "We've taken whatever legal steps have to be taken, and we put them on notice for that."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, is strongly considering Manny Pacquiao's next opponent to be New York's WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion, Yuri Foreman, citing "too many hard feelings" as reasons for scuttling contentious negotiations for a March 13, bout with Floyd Mayweather that promised to be the most lucrative in boxing history.
Arum said he could announce Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) as the seven-division champion's next rival as early as Wednesday, with the clash between Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) in jeopardy due to an ongoing, drug-testing controversy.
"At this particular point, there is no movement at all with the Mayweather side," said Arum, "and the attitude in the Philippines is that they want to move on."
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which is working on behalf of Mayweather, could not be reached for comment.
Arum also promotes Foreman, a rabbinical student born in Gomel, Belarus. Now a Bronx resident, Foreman is the first native Israeli to win a professional boxing crown.
"I think that Foreman represents a better story for Manny," said Arum. "And it's a test for Manny to see if he can go up to an eighth weight class."
Arum said that he arrived at his decision on Monday night -- Tuesday in the Philippines -- when he spoke to Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, who is with the fighter there.
"There's so much bad feeling now, that we're better off fighting somebody else and maybe revisiting this fight with Mayweather in the fall," said Arum. "So I'm going to schedule, for late tonight, our time -- which is early in the morning in the Philippines -- to talk directly with Manny and make a decision then."
A five-time world champion, Mayweather's side is demanding that both fighters be tested using random urinalysis and blood work that could be drawn as close to the fight as possible.
Pacquiao, who is coming off of last month's 12th-round techinical knockout which dethroned Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title, has agreed to have urine tests done.
But Pacquiao has contended that he would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight because taking blood from him that close to the competition would weaken him.
The champion's assertion was challenged, however, on Monday when Mayweather's camp pointed out that Pacquiao had blood drawn during a pre-fight physical -- a procedure they believed had occurred within about two weeks of Pacquiao's second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton.
After checking with officials at HBO, however, Arum said that that notion appears to have been in error.
"We researched it, and we have all of the documentary evidence, and it was 24 days before the fight, which is very close to the 30-day period that we offered for Manny to have blood drawn. That's very significant," said Arum. "The fight was May 2, and the blood was drawn on April 8 -- 24 days before the fight. HBO made a mistake by saying that it was done at a period that they indicated was 14 days."
Arum said that the HBO footage -- as well as the notion of moving ahead with a Mayweather fight -- was brought up during his conversation with Koncz, who indicated that Pacquiao, nevertheless, wanted to go in a different direction.
"As far as I'm concerned, I really, really believe that the best course of action is to forget about this fight now, and to revisit it in the fall -- if then -- when everybody cools down," said Arum, who had first considered New York junior welterweight (140 pounds) Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five KOs) -- who also believes Pacquiao should be randomly blood-tested -- as a replacement for Mayweather.
"The people viewing it from the Philippines, and the Pacquiao camp, they're very, very angry people," said Arum. "I just don't think that they're going to be very receptive."
But another, potentially damaging question for Pacquiao was raised in a Christmas Day article written by New York Daily News columnist, Tim Smith, a boxing scribe for more than two decades and a 2005 winner of The Boxing Writer's Association of America's prestigious Nat Fleischer Award for excellence in fight coverage.
Citing "a source familiar with the talks," Smith wrote that "Pacquiao's representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn't be ruined in the public eye."
"Those are disturbing requests," wrote Smith. "It could just be due diligence on the part of the attorneys negotiating the contract or it could be that Pacquiao has something to hide."
But in a prepared statement issued on Tuesday, Pacquiao blamed Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions for "twisting facts," claiming that Mayweather, himself, has accused the Filipino fighter of being "into some kind of 'roids," of having, "used other banned substances," and "directly accused [Pacquiao] of performance enhancement drug use."
"For including my country in the picture, claiming that we are producers of the best performance enhancing drugs, Mayweather and those who are guilty need to get punished," said Pacquiao. "The sooner, the better -- whether it be in the courts or in the ring."
Golden Boy Promotions has received offficial notification of Pacquiao's plan to sue their company, Mayweather, and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., for defamation of character, said Arum.
"This morning [Tuesday], they'll get the letter about the lawsuit. It was sent today by Manny's attorney and our attorney in Los Angeles, Daniel Petrocelli, who is one of the top litigators," said Arum. "We've taken whatever legal steps have to be taken, and we put them on notice for that."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Young Hatton on standby for Mayweather Jnr -- Manchester Evening News
By Gavin Browne, Manchester Evening News
MATTHEW Hatton has told of his shock and surprise at being linked with a possible fight against Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
Having drawn his IBO welterweight title challenge against Lovemore N'Dou, the younger Hatton found himself at the centre of speculation linking him with a Mayweather meeting.
The American had been due to fight Manny Pacquiao but that appears in doubt with rows over drug testing and possible legal action by Pacquiao against the Mayweather camp.
As a result, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive with stories that 'Magic' is in line to face Mayweather, acknowledged as the sport's pound-for-pound king and the first man to beat elder brother Ricky.
"It was very surprising to be linked with him," admitted Hatton.
"I was at a friend's party when Gareth Williams from my promotional company phoned and said that Golden Boy Promotions wanted to know if I'd be interested in fighting Floyd.
"I asked him if he was being serious but Floyd's very keen on fighting in England and they asked if I'd be up for it.
"I didn't have to think about it for one second. I think it's unlikely but if the Pacquiao fight doesn't come off I'm at the top of their list of opponents.
"I'm pretty sure things would get sorted between Floyd and Manny but Floyd's camp have been in touch two or three times with mine.
"I won't get carried away though at the prospect of fighting him in case it doesn't come off but he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and to share a ring with him would be amazing."
Should the Mayweather and Pacquiao camps come to an agreement, Hatton is keen on a rematch with N'Dou during 2010.
Having initially ruled out any prospect of facing N'Dou following their contentious draw, `Magic' has subsequently relented.
He said: "Ideally I'd like to fight him again because no matter what the judges say, I know I beat him on the night.
"I know I said I wouldn't travel to South Africa or Australia because I wouldn't get the decision but I know I've got the beating of him."
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
MATTHEW Hatton has told of his shock and surprise at being linked with a possible fight against Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
Having drawn his IBO welterweight title challenge against Lovemore N'Dou, the younger Hatton found himself at the centre of speculation linking him with a Mayweather meeting.
The American had been due to fight Manny Pacquiao but that appears in doubt with rows over drug testing and possible legal action by Pacquiao against the Mayweather camp.
As a result, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive with stories that 'Magic' is in line to face Mayweather, acknowledged as the sport's pound-for-pound king and the first man to beat elder brother Ricky.
"It was very surprising to be linked with him," admitted Hatton.
"I was at a friend's party when Gareth Williams from my promotional company phoned and said that Golden Boy Promotions wanted to know if I'd be interested in fighting Floyd.
"I asked him if he was being serious but Floyd's very keen on fighting in England and they asked if I'd be up for it.
"I didn't have to think about it for one second. I think it's unlikely but if the Pacquiao fight doesn't come off I'm at the top of their list of opponents.
"I'm pretty sure things would get sorted between Floyd and Manny but Floyd's camp have been in touch two or three times with mine.
"I won't get carried away though at the prospect of fighting him in case it doesn't come off but he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and to share a ring with him would be amazing."
Should the Mayweather and Pacquiao camps come to an agreement, Hatton is keen on a rematch with N'Dou during 2010.
Having initially ruled out any prospect of facing N'Dou following their contentious draw, `Magic' has subsequently relented.
He said: "Ideally I'd like to fight him again because no matter what the judges say, I know I beat him on the night.
"I know I said I wouldn't travel to South Africa or Australia because I wouldn't get the decision but I know I've got the beating of him."
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Mayweather keen on Magic? -- Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Matthew Hatton could be in line to fight Floyd Mayweather as doubts continue about the American's planned showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Pretty Boy had been set to fight Pac-Man on March 13 but negotiations have hit a stumbling block due to a row over blood testing.
The disagreement has led to Golden Boy Promotions and Team Mayweather looking at possible alternative opponents - with Hatton emerging as one option.
The Mancunian admits he wouldn't hesitate to sign up for the fight, giving him the chance to avenge the defeat suffered by his older brother Ricky in 2007.
Surprising
"It was very surprising to be linked with him," Hatton told the Manchester Evening News.
"I was at a friend's party when Gareth Williams from my promotional company phoned and said that Golden Boy Promotions wanted to know if I'd be interested in fighting Floyd.
"I asked him if he was being serious but Floyd's very keen on fighting in England and they asked if I'd be up for it.
"I didn't have to think about it for one second. I think it's unlikely but if the Pacquiao fight doesn't come off I'm at the top of their list of opponents."
Another possible option for Hatton is a rematch with Lovemore N'Dou after the pair fought out a highly-contested draw in Stoke back in November.
The 28-year-old was far from happy with the decision by the judges as he missed out on claiming the IBO welterweight title.
"Ideally I'd like to fight him again because no matter what the judges say, I know I beat him on the night," Hatton added.
"I know I said I wouldn't travel to South Africa or Australia because I wouldn't get the decision but I know I've got the beating of him."
Source: skysports.com
Matthew Hatton could be in line to fight Floyd Mayweather as doubts continue about the American's planned showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Pretty Boy had been set to fight Pac-Man on March 13 but negotiations have hit a stumbling block due to a row over blood testing.
The disagreement has led to Golden Boy Promotions and Team Mayweather looking at possible alternative opponents - with Hatton emerging as one option.
The Mancunian admits he wouldn't hesitate to sign up for the fight, giving him the chance to avenge the defeat suffered by his older brother Ricky in 2007.
Surprising
"It was very surprising to be linked with him," Hatton told the Manchester Evening News.
"I was at a friend's party when Gareth Williams from my promotional company phoned and said that Golden Boy Promotions wanted to know if I'd be interested in fighting Floyd.
"I asked him if he was being serious but Floyd's very keen on fighting in England and they asked if I'd be up for it.
"I didn't have to think about it for one second. I think it's unlikely but if the Pacquiao fight doesn't come off I'm at the top of their list of opponents."
Another possible option for Hatton is a rematch with Lovemore N'Dou after the pair fought out a highly-contested draw in Stoke back in November.
The 28-year-old was far from happy with the decision by the judges as he missed out on claiming the IBO welterweight title.
"Ideally I'd like to fight him again because no matter what the judges say, I know I beat him on the night," Hatton added.
"I know I said I wouldn't travel to South Africa or Australia because I wouldn't get the decision but I know I've got the beating of him."
Source: skysports.com
PACQUIAO WILL ABIDE BY NEVADA DEMAND FOR URINE TEST -- PhilBoxing
By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com
Manny Pacquiao who is spending time with his family in his hometown of General Santos City and playing basketball to stay in shape, will fly to Manila tomorrow (Wednesday Philippine time) to comply with a directive from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to undergo a urinalysis.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said Pacquiao will comply but there was no way he would fly to the US to provide a urine sample.
www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports contacted Koncz early Tuesday to inform Pacquiao about the latest ruling of the Chairwoman of the NSAC, Pat Lundvall, who invoked the right of the Commission to require both Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr to submit themselves to random urine tests.
Executive Director Keith Kizer informed us about the directive from Lundvall to have both Pacquiao and Mayweather who were scheduled to face-off in a March 13 super-fight to provide urine samples, since they are both licensed by the NSAC and are subject to these kinds of tests no matter whether the fight takes place or not.
Boxing writer Dan Rafael quoted Lundvall as saying that random testing “is the best way to evaluate the compliance with our rules and regulations against prohibited substances and the primary reason for that is that an athlete doesn't have time to cycle out or flush out any prohibited substances, and therefore random testing is the best thing to employ, which is why I thought it was a good idea for Keith (Kizer) to inform these fighters that we would like to have a sample and move forward with our random testing."
The head of the Boxing Division of the Games and Amusements Board which is the Philippine government agency that supervises professional sports, Dr. Nasser Cruz told us that “the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited Dr.Alex Pineda from the Philippine Olympic Committee” to conduct such tests. Dr. Cruz said "He (Dr. Pineda) is the only one accredited by WADA” and since he is in Metro Manila, Pacquiao will have to fly in Wednesday to provide a urine sample.
Meantime, the HBO 24/7 pre-fight series prior to the Pacquiao demolition of Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton last May 2 showed footage of Pacquiao taking a routine blood test as part of his pre-fight medical exam in Los Angeles which he does before each fight. In fact, prior to his first clash with Erik “El Terrible” Morales, the records of his Los Angeles blood and others tests were lost and Pacquiao was ordered by the NSAC to undergo another blood test a couple of days before the fight. Despite vehement protests Pacquiao was forced to take the test to prevent the possibility of the Commission not allowing the fight to take place. Trainer Freddie Roach said later that the late blood test had affected Pacquiao and that was one of the reasons he lost to Morales in their first fight.
The HBO series indicated that the blood test on Pacquiao was conducted some 14 days before the fight. Rafael quotes Top Rank promoter Bob Arum as saying "I will transmit it [word of Pacquiao's '24/7' test] to Manny once [HBO Sports president] Ross Greenburg establishes the actual date of the test in '24/7' and [the Mayweather camp] makes a proposal based on what Ross has come up with.” Arum said “If that happens, I am sure I can convince Manny" to possibly take the test within the same time frame of 14 days.
However, Arum noted in his ESPN statement "It's a very good point to point out that Manny was tested so close to the [Hatton] fight. I'm not going to suggest anything to him though, until I hear from the other guys. They have to say, 'This is what Manny did. Here is what we propose.' Then I will bring it to Manny and say, 'Manny, look, you took this test however many days before the fight and it didn't affect you. Hey, you knocked him out in two rounds.'
Arum assumed that Pacquiao would listen to him but declined to make any promises. However, Arum made it clear he wanted the Mayweather camp “to make a formal proposal that this is the outside date for the blood testing based on Manny's prior test in 24/7 and then I will move mountains."
Source: philboxing.com
Manny Pacquiao who is spending time with his family in his hometown of General Santos City and playing basketball to stay in shape, will fly to Manila tomorrow (Wednesday Philippine time) to comply with a directive from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to undergo a urinalysis.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said Pacquiao will comply but there was no way he would fly to the US to provide a urine sample.
www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports contacted Koncz early Tuesday to inform Pacquiao about the latest ruling of the Chairwoman of the NSAC, Pat Lundvall, who invoked the right of the Commission to require both Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr to submit themselves to random urine tests.
Executive Director Keith Kizer informed us about the directive from Lundvall to have both Pacquiao and Mayweather who were scheduled to face-off in a March 13 super-fight to provide urine samples, since they are both licensed by the NSAC and are subject to these kinds of tests no matter whether the fight takes place or not.
Boxing writer Dan Rafael quoted Lundvall as saying that random testing “is the best way to evaluate the compliance with our rules and regulations against prohibited substances and the primary reason for that is that an athlete doesn't have time to cycle out or flush out any prohibited substances, and therefore random testing is the best thing to employ, which is why I thought it was a good idea for Keith (Kizer) to inform these fighters that we would like to have a sample and move forward with our random testing."
The head of the Boxing Division of the Games and Amusements Board which is the Philippine government agency that supervises professional sports, Dr. Nasser Cruz told us that “the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited Dr.Alex Pineda from the Philippine Olympic Committee” to conduct such tests. Dr. Cruz said "He (Dr. Pineda) is the only one accredited by WADA” and since he is in Metro Manila, Pacquiao will have to fly in Wednesday to provide a urine sample.
Meantime, the HBO 24/7 pre-fight series prior to the Pacquiao demolition of Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton last May 2 showed footage of Pacquiao taking a routine blood test as part of his pre-fight medical exam in Los Angeles which he does before each fight. In fact, prior to his first clash with Erik “El Terrible” Morales, the records of his Los Angeles blood and others tests were lost and Pacquiao was ordered by the NSAC to undergo another blood test a couple of days before the fight. Despite vehement protests Pacquiao was forced to take the test to prevent the possibility of the Commission not allowing the fight to take place. Trainer Freddie Roach said later that the late blood test had affected Pacquiao and that was one of the reasons he lost to Morales in their first fight.
The HBO series indicated that the blood test on Pacquiao was conducted some 14 days before the fight. Rafael quotes Top Rank promoter Bob Arum as saying "I will transmit it [word of Pacquiao's '24/7' test] to Manny once [HBO Sports president] Ross Greenburg establishes the actual date of the test in '24/7' and [the Mayweather camp] makes a proposal based on what Ross has come up with.” Arum said “If that happens, I am sure I can convince Manny" to possibly take the test within the same time frame of 14 days.
However, Arum noted in his ESPN statement "It's a very good point to point out that Manny was tested so close to the [Hatton] fight. I'm not going to suggest anything to him though, until I hear from the other guys. They have to say, 'This is what Manny did. Here is what we propose.' Then I will bring it to Manny and say, 'Manny, look, you took this test however many days before the fight and it didn't affect you. Hey, you knocked him out in two rounds.'
Arum assumed that Pacquiao would listen to him but declined to make any promises. However, Arum made it clear he wanted the Mayweather camp “to make a formal proposal that this is the outside date for the blood testing based on Manny's prior test in 24/7 and then I will move mountains."
Source: philboxing.com
Pacquiao: Floyd is scared -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
In between rounds of pool, Manny Pacquiao kept on telling just about anyone who bothered to ask him about the status of Floyd Mayweather the same thing all over again.
“Mayweather is scared (to fight me),” said Pacquiao, according to his lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday.
Since returning to General Santos on Christmas day, Pacquiao has been spending more time with his family and playing one of his many passions – billiards – during night-time until morning.
“He’s just playing every night, relaxing and waiting for developments,” said Gacal.
As camps of both fighters find a way to save the fight from being shelved owing to the touchy issue of drug-testing, Pacquiao remains a believer that
Mayweather is just trying to find a way out of the fight by insisting that an Olympic-style random testing be done so they can finally seal the deal and face each other on March 13, 2010.
On Tuesday, the deadline that was imposed by Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum on Mayweather finally lapsed but Mayweather’s camp said they’re not closing the doors about a possible renewal of talks.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been guaranteed to receive $25 million each on purse alone and both punchers can go home with as high as $40 million apiece after all the accounting is done.
Mayweather has agreed to a penalty of $10 million per pound in the event he weighs past 147 lbs and is using this as leverage for Pacquiao to his own demand for random testing. (Tempo Sports)
Source: mb.com.ph
In between rounds of pool, Manny Pacquiao kept on telling just about anyone who bothered to ask him about the status of Floyd Mayweather the same thing all over again.
“Mayweather is scared (to fight me),” said Pacquiao, according to his lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday.
Since returning to General Santos on Christmas day, Pacquiao has been spending more time with his family and playing one of his many passions – billiards – during night-time until morning.
“He’s just playing every night, relaxing and waiting for developments,” said Gacal.
As camps of both fighters find a way to save the fight from being shelved owing to the touchy issue of drug-testing, Pacquiao remains a believer that
Mayweather is just trying to find a way out of the fight by insisting that an Olympic-style random testing be done so they can finally seal the deal and face each other on March 13, 2010.
On Tuesday, the deadline that was imposed by Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum on Mayweather finally lapsed but Mayweather’s camp said they’re not closing the doors about a possible renewal of talks.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been guaranteed to receive $25 million each on purse alone and both punchers can go home with as high as $40 million apiece after all the accounting is done.
Mayweather has agreed to a penalty of $10 million per pound in the event he weighs past 147 lbs and is using this as leverage for Pacquiao to his own demand for random testing. (Tempo Sports)
Source: mb.com.ph
Arum to ask Pacquiao to rethink blood objection -- Reuters
By Simon Evans, Reuters
MIAMI (Reuters) - World champion Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum says he will ask the boxer to reconsider his objection to blood testing, raising the prospect that the proposed bout with American Floyd Mayweather could yet go ahead.
Just hours after Arum said that he was going to announce a new opponent for world champion Pacquiao, Mayweather's camp highlighted footage from a television documentary that appeared to contradict Pacquiao's objection to blood testing close to the fight.
Pacquiao has balked at Mayweather's demand for random blood testing within 30 days of the fight, preferring urine testing as he says losing blood weakens him -- a stance which has threatened a highly anticipated and lucrative match-up.
But scenes from the HBO reality show 'Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7' which documented Pacquiao's build-up to his fight with Briton Ricky Hatton in May, showed the Filipino fighter giving blood.
Mayweather's camp said the scene was filmed just 14 days before the fight -- a fact Arum said he wanted to verify before speaking to his fighter.
"I will transmit it to Manny once (HBO Sports president) Ross Greenburg establishes the actual date of the test in '24/7' and (the Mayweather camp) makes a proposal based on what Ross has come up with," Arum told ESPN.com.
"If that happens, I am sure I can convince Manny," he said.
Arum had set a Monday deadline for Golden Boy to accept a "final offer" in which both sides let the Nevada State Athletic Commission make the final decision on testing.
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said that there was no question of accepting that proposal.
"Random is random. We are not backing off and the ball is in their court," he told Reuters.
Arum then threatened to find another opponent for Pacquiao which in turn prompted another sharp response from the Mayweather team in a statement on Monday.
"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," it said.
But the Mayweather camp also left the door open for further talks.
"Team Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions is still open to the earlier discussions of having both parties work out a mutually agreeable understanding of the testing, which would be conducted by a mutually agreed upon agency," the statement added.
Pacquiao won the WBO title in November by stopping holder Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in Las Vegas.
The Filipino (50-3-2) won an unprecedented seventh title in seven weight classes to set up the best pound-for-pound showdown against unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) in what was expected to be among boxing's biggest earning fights.
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
Source: uk.reuters.com
MIAMI (Reuters) - World champion Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum says he will ask the boxer to reconsider his objection to blood testing, raising the prospect that the proposed bout with American Floyd Mayweather could yet go ahead.
Just hours after Arum said that he was going to announce a new opponent for world champion Pacquiao, Mayweather's camp highlighted footage from a television documentary that appeared to contradict Pacquiao's objection to blood testing close to the fight.
Pacquiao has balked at Mayweather's demand for random blood testing within 30 days of the fight, preferring urine testing as he says losing blood weakens him -- a stance which has threatened a highly anticipated and lucrative match-up.
But scenes from the HBO reality show 'Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7' which documented Pacquiao's build-up to his fight with Briton Ricky Hatton in May, showed the Filipino fighter giving blood.
Mayweather's camp said the scene was filmed just 14 days before the fight -- a fact Arum said he wanted to verify before speaking to his fighter.
"I will transmit it to Manny once (HBO Sports president) Ross Greenburg establishes the actual date of the test in '24/7' and (the Mayweather camp) makes a proposal based on what Ross has come up with," Arum told ESPN.com.
"If that happens, I am sure I can convince Manny," he said.
Arum had set a Monday deadline for Golden Boy to accept a "final offer" in which both sides let the Nevada State Athletic Commission make the final decision on testing.
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said that there was no question of accepting that proposal.
"Random is random. We are not backing off and the ball is in their court," he told Reuters.
Arum then threatened to find another opponent for Pacquiao which in turn prompted another sharp response from the Mayweather team in a statement on Monday.
"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," it said.
But the Mayweather camp also left the door open for further talks.
"Team Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions is still open to the earlier discussions of having both parties work out a mutually agreeable understanding of the testing, which would be conducted by a mutually agreed upon agency," the statement added.
Pacquiao won the WBO title in November by stopping holder Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in Las Vegas.
The Filipino (50-3-2) won an unprecedented seventh title in seven weight classes to set up the best pound-for-pound showdown against unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) in what was expected to be among boxing's biggest earning fights.
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
Source: uk.reuters.com
Golden Boy CEO: 'Trying to Save' Mayweather-Pacquiao -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
FanHouse caught up to Golden Boy Promotions' CEO, Richard Schaefer, whose company is handling the negotiations on behalf of Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) for the potential blockbuster bout with seven-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, who is the current WBO welterweight (147 pounds) titlist.
Tentatively slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayweather-Pacquaio was all-but done until a controversy surfaced over pre-fight drug-testing.
Mayweather's camp is demanding that both fighters be tested using random urinalysis and bloodwork; Pacquiao is fine with the urine-testing, but would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight.
Mayweather's side has softened its position of having the United States Anti-Doping Agency do the testing, just as Pacquaio's promoter, Top Rank's Bob Arum, seems to have eased up on the notion of random blood-testing, as long as it is done by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Arum stated that Monday is the last day to get the deal done, or he will move on to signing up Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) to face either New York's, junior middleweight (140 pounds) Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five knockouts) or New York's WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) on March 13.
"I can't imagine Manny Pacquiao walking away from $25 million because he refuses to have blood and urine drawn, and then going off to do something else and making half of that," said Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe. "The clock is ticking, but I think that Manny Pacquiao will eventually step up and take the test."
Schaefer sheds his views on the state of affairs in this Q&A below:
FanHouse: Where are the negotiations now?
Richard Schaefer: Well, obviously, the fact that our side was requesting random blood and urine testing is something which the Nevada Athletic Commission is not doing. And based on the comments that I've read from Mr. [Keith] Kizer, I don't think that they are likely to adapt.
Basically, our position was that both sides would jointly agree on a procedure which would be random, which would be blood, and which would be urine, and which would be cut off prior to the fight at a reasonable time.
That time would be at two, three days, four days, whatever the right number of days are to insure that the integrity of the test can still be maintained. That was our position. That was one of the deal-points, like there were many other deal-points.
And the fact that Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum are not willing to do that and are setting these deadlines -- I think that they set another deadline, which was last Thursday, which came and went. Now, they're setting another one for today.
If they're going to impose these deadlines, I don't think that's a very good manner in which to conduct these negotiations. A better way would be to work out a mutually agreeable procedure. But it seems that they don't want to do that.
They've stated -- at least Bob Arum has stated -- that they are going to be moving ahead with another fight. I can't stop Arum from doing what he's doing. There's nothing we can do about that.
FH: Bob Arum has said that Top Rank president, Todd duBoef has tried to get in touch with Goldben Boys' Bruce Binkow today, so to your knowledge, has there been any contact between the two?
Schaefer: Well, Bruce has been trying to reach Todd for the last two days and to work out a procedure, but their position is clear: The cutoff for the random blood-testing is 30 days before the fight. Unless the Nevada Commission rules differently.
But again, this is not a commission issue, this is a contract issue. Just like many other issues were contract issues that had nothing to do with the commission. I think the commission should do the testing as they do, but this is a contract issue and not a commission issue.
So, I don't understand where they are coming from. So there's nothing to really add to that. I need to focus on either getting this fight done or not. If it does get done, great, then I'll be very busy. And if it doesn't, then we're going to be very busy too.
FH: At this point, what do you think it would take to make this fight?
Schaefer: What it would take is something which I recommended a week ago is that we would have Todd and Bruce pick up the phone and talk to each other and work out a reasonable procedure conducted by a third party agency that we would all mutually agree to.
Bruce has reached out to Todd many times, and the only thing that has been communicated to us is this final and last position, which I don't have to repeat. That's all that's been said. There's been no movement, no willingness to really work out anything.
I think that it is that hard-nosed negotiating which is going to ultimately kill the fight, because it sounds like to me that Bob Arum is already working on getting another fight done -- I believe with Paulie Malignaggi.
FH: If there was a third party involved or hired to do the blood-testing, who or what would it be?
Schaefer: I have some suggestions. One of which was actually the one which Top Rank had recommended, which is the agency that does the NFL and Major League Baseball [The National Center for Drug Free Sports, based in Kansas City, Mo.] The problem is they only do urine.
But I'm sure that if they do urine, they could probably retain someone else to do the blood testing as well. If it would be that agency, that would be okay with us as long as it's random, it's urine, it's blood, and it is cut off at a date prior to the fight which maintains the integrity of the tests.
FH: If the fight with Manny Pacquiao doesn't happen, would you still work with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his next endeavor?
Schaefer: Floyd and myself and Mayweather promotions, we have a great relationship and we're growing into a friendship as well, so I absolutely think yes, as it relates to working together. As it relates to what's next for Floyd Mayweather, I don't really know. Because, unlike Bob Arum, we haven't looked at anything else.
If Arum walks away, then we obviously will be starting discussions in that regard. But right now, unlike Top Rank which has pretty much said for the last week, 'We don't need this, we don't need this' and has been setting deadlines, we have been trying to save the fight.
I wanted to make sure, and I want to make sure that we've exhausted all avenues to see if this fight can be saved. But it seems to me that, based again on the statements Bob Arum has been making -- 'final' and 'last offer' and 'deadlines' being Monday morning.
Based on the ultimatums that Top Rank has issued, it seems like this is not going to happen. It seems to me that they have made up their mind that they want to go in a different route. And if they're walking away from this, then they're walking away from this.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
FanHouse caught up to Golden Boy Promotions' CEO, Richard Schaefer, whose company is handling the negotiations on behalf of Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) for the potential blockbuster bout with seven-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, who is the current WBO welterweight (147 pounds) titlist.
Tentatively slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayweather-Pacquaio was all-but done until a controversy surfaced over pre-fight drug-testing.
Mayweather's camp is demanding that both fighters be tested using random urinalysis and bloodwork; Pacquiao is fine with the urine-testing, but would prefer not to have blood drawn within 30 days of the fight.
Mayweather's side has softened its position of having the United States Anti-Doping Agency do the testing, just as Pacquaio's promoter, Top Rank's Bob Arum, seems to have eased up on the notion of random blood-testing, as long as it is done by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Arum stated that Monday is the last day to get the deal done, or he will move on to signing up Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) to face either New York's, junior middleweight (140 pounds) Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five knockouts) or New York's WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) on March 13.
"I can't imagine Manny Pacquiao walking away from $25 million because he refuses to have blood and urine drawn, and then going off to do something else and making half of that," said Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe. "The clock is ticking, but I think that Manny Pacquiao will eventually step up and take the test."
Schaefer sheds his views on the state of affairs in this Q&A below:
FanHouse: Where are the negotiations now?
Richard Schaefer: Well, obviously, the fact that our side was requesting random blood and urine testing is something which the Nevada Athletic Commission is not doing. And based on the comments that I've read from Mr. [Keith] Kizer, I don't think that they are likely to adapt.
Basically, our position was that both sides would jointly agree on a procedure which would be random, which would be blood, and which would be urine, and which would be cut off prior to the fight at a reasonable time.
That time would be at two, three days, four days, whatever the right number of days are to insure that the integrity of the test can still be maintained. That was our position. That was one of the deal-points, like there were many other deal-points.
And the fact that Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum are not willing to do that and are setting these deadlines -- I think that they set another deadline, which was last Thursday, which came and went. Now, they're setting another one for today.
If they're going to impose these deadlines, I don't think that's a very good manner in which to conduct these negotiations. A better way would be to work out a mutually agreeable procedure. But it seems that they don't want to do that.
They've stated -- at least Bob Arum has stated -- that they are going to be moving ahead with another fight. I can't stop Arum from doing what he's doing. There's nothing we can do about that.
FH: Bob Arum has said that Top Rank president, Todd duBoef has tried to get in touch with Goldben Boys' Bruce Binkow today, so to your knowledge, has there been any contact between the two?
Schaefer: Well, Bruce has been trying to reach Todd for the last two days and to work out a procedure, but their position is clear: The cutoff for the random blood-testing is 30 days before the fight. Unless the Nevada Commission rules differently.
But again, this is not a commission issue, this is a contract issue. Just like many other issues were contract issues that had nothing to do with the commission. I think the commission should do the testing as they do, but this is a contract issue and not a commission issue.
So, I don't understand where they are coming from. So there's nothing to really add to that. I need to focus on either getting this fight done or not. If it does get done, great, then I'll be very busy. And if it doesn't, then we're going to be very busy too.
FH: At this point, what do you think it would take to make this fight?
Schaefer: What it would take is something which I recommended a week ago is that we would have Todd and Bruce pick up the phone and talk to each other and work out a reasonable procedure conducted by a third party agency that we would all mutually agree to.
Bruce has reached out to Todd many times, and the only thing that has been communicated to us is this final and last position, which I don't have to repeat. That's all that's been said. There's been no movement, no willingness to really work out anything.
I think that it is that hard-nosed negotiating which is going to ultimately kill the fight, because it sounds like to me that Bob Arum is already working on getting another fight done -- I believe with Paulie Malignaggi.
FH: If there was a third party involved or hired to do the blood-testing, who or what would it be?
Schaefer: I have some suggestions. One of which was actually the one which Top Rank had recommended, which is the agency that does the NFL and Major League Baseball [The National Center for Drug Free Sports, based in Kansas City, Mo.] The problem is they only do urine.
But I'm sure that if they do urine, they could probably retain someone else to do the blood testing as well. If it would be that agency, that would be okay with us as long as it's random, it's urine, it's blood, and it is cut off at a date prior to the fight which maintains the integrity of the tests.
FH: If the fight with Manny Pacquiao doesn't happen, would you still work with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his next endeavor?
Schaefer: Floyd and myself and Mayweather promotions, we have a great relationship and we're growing into a friendship as well, so I absolutely think yes, as it relates to working together. As it relates to what's next for Floyd Mayweather, I don't really know. Because, unlike Bob Arum, we haven't looked at anything else.
If Arum walks away, then we obviously will be starting discussions in that regard. But right now, unlike Top Rank which has pretty much said for the last week, 'We don't need this, we don't need this' and has been setting deadlines, we have been trying to save the fight.
I wanted to make sure, and I want to make sure that we've exhausted all avenues to see if this fight can be saved. But it seems to me that, based again on the statements Bob Arum has been making -- 'final' and 'last offer' and 'deadlines' being Monday morning.
Based on the ultimatums that Top Rank has issued, it seems like this is not going to happen. It seems to me that they have made up their mind that they want to go in a different route. And if they're walking away from this, then they're walking away from this.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Nevada orders urine tests for Pacquiao, Mayweather -- Washington Post
By TIM DAHLBERG, The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- The head of the Nevada boxing commission ordered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit to urine tests Monday as a way of trying to break the impasse that has threatened to derail their proposed March 13 megafight.
Pacquiao and Mayweather must submit to the tests within 48 hours or face possible fines or suspension by the Nevada Athletic commission.
"That at least starts the ball rolling," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director.
The ball may not roll very far, though, as time continues to run out on the big fight. There was no communication between the two sides Monday, and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said he planned to announce another fight for Pacquiao on Tuesday.
"There's been absolutely no movement," Arum said.
The tests, which were ordered by commission chairman Pat Lundvall, fall under an out-of-competition testing regulation which went into effect last year and allows state boxing authorities to order boxers to comply. Kizer said about 30 of the tests have been ordered in the last 18 months.
The commission's demand comes a day after Arum said he would not budge off a proposal to do just three blood tests on the two fighters - and none within 30 days of the fight. Arum, who had suggested the NAC decide next month who will prevail in the dispute, said he planned to begin negotiating a fight with Paul Malignaggi if Mayweather's camp didn't agree to the terms.
But Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said Monday there would be no fight on Arum's terms, and charged the promoter with trying to shift the blame for the fight not happening from Pacquiao's side to Mayweather.
"If he's unwilling to do random blood and urine it's a nonstarter," Ellerbe told The Associated Press. "He knows that. If they want to walk away from the richest fight in the history of the sport, that's their decision."
Kizer said the urine tests could play a part in breaking the impasse, though Mayweather's camp has said blood tests are necessary to find performance-enhancing drugs that may not be detected by urine tests. Mayweather backed off earlier on a demand for the tests to be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency but has insisted all along that they be done randomly and include blood tests within 30 days before the fight.
Ellerbe said his fighter had already made many concessions to get the fight, including the financial split, the penalty for coming in at more than 147 pounds, and the gloves to be used. He said there would be no further concession to meet Arum's terms.
"There's no way," Ellerbe said. "The ball is in their court. But you have to ask yourself why they aren't willing to make sure both fighters are clean to ensure that the biggest fight ever can take place."
Kizer said he informed both fighters that they must take the urine tests, saying Pacquiao would have to find an accredited agency to do his in the Philippines. The state of Nevada is paying for the tests, which cost about $150.
"We're always hopeful that when we do drug testing it comes back negative," Kizer said. "I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But with all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one."
Source: washingtonpost.com
LAS VEGAS -- The head of the Nevada boxing commission ordered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit to urine tests Monday as a way of trying to break the impasse that has threatened to derail their proposed March 13 megafight.
Pacquiao and Mayweather must submit to the tests within 48 hours or face possible fines or suspension by the Nevada Athletic commission.
"That at least starts the ball rolling," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director.
The ball may not roll very far, though, as time continues to run out on the big fight. There was no communication between the two sides Monday, and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said he planned to announce another fight for Pacquiao on Tuesday.
"There's been absolutely no movement," Arum said.
The tests, which were ordered by commission chairman Pat Lundvall, fall under an out-of-competition testing regulation which went into effect last year and allows state boxing authorities to order boxers to comply. Kizer said about 30 of the tests have been ordered in the last 18 months.
The commission's demand comes a day after Arum said he would not budge off a proposal to do just three blood tests on the two fighters - and none within 30 days of the fight. Arum, who had suggested the NAC decide next month who will prevail in the dispute, said he planned to begin negotiating a fight with Paul Malignaggi if Mayweather's camp didn't agree to the terms.
But Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said Monday there would be no fight on Arum's terms, and charged the promoter with trying to shift the blame for the fight not happening from Pacquiao's side to Mayweather.
"If he's unwilling to do random blood and urine it's a nonstarter," Ellerbe told The Associated Press. "He knows that. If they want to walk away from the richest fight in the history of the sport, that's their decision."
Kizer said the urine tests could play a part in breaking the impasse, though Mayweather's camp has said blood tests are necessary to find performance-enhancing drugs that may not be detected by urine tests. Mayweather backed off earlier on a demand for the tests to be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency but has insisted all along that they be done randomly and include blood tests within 30 days before the fight.
Ellerbe said his fighter had already made many concessions to get the fight, including the financial split, the penalty for coming in at more than 147 pounds, and the gloves to be used. He said there would be no further concession to meet Arum's terms.
"There's no way," Ellerbe said. "The ball is in their court. But you have to ask yourself why they aren't willing to make sure both fighters are clean to ensure that the biggest fight ever can take place."
Kizer said he informed both fighters that they must take the urine tests, saying Pacquiao would have to find an accredited agency to do his in the Philippines. The state of Nevada is paying for the tests, which cost about $150.
"We're always hopeful that when we do drug testing it comes back negative," Kizer said. "I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But with all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one."
Source: washingtonpost.com
Monday 28 December 2009
Manny Pacquiao: 'I Would Never Cheat' -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao would agree to unlimited urinalysis and blood-testing for the proposed March 13 megabout with Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but only if the procedures are executed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, said on Sunday.
The Nevada Commission uses urinalysis testing before and after fights to detect illegal and performance-enhancing drugs, but other than requiring bloodwork to earn a one-year license, the NSAC has never used blood-testing to determine drug use, the organization's executive director, Keith Kizer, said on Saturday.
"We are prepared to advise the Nevada Athletic Commission that we only want them involved, and that Manny will take a random urinalysis test at any time on any date as long as it was ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission," Arum told FanHouse, saying that Monday is his deadline for finalizing the matchup before moving on to other options for the 31-year-old Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts).
"No. 2, we would agree to take the blood test in January within 30 days of the fight and any other random blood tests that the Nevada State Athletic Commission elected to do without a timeline," said Arum. "We're so confident that the Nevada Commission would do the right thing that we don't have to put a timeline in there."
Reached on Saturday, Kizer said that he had not yet discussed the prospect of blood-testing with either Mayweather's or Pacquiao's camps.
"They haven't talked to me about blood tests, but they've both talked to me about urine tests, and we can do as many urine tests as they want. But we don't do blood tests, though," said Kizer, adding that the prospect of inaugural blood-testing for drug use would be "something that I would have to take up with the chairman of the commission," Pat Lundvall.
"They [Mayweather and Pacquiao] can reach a prior agreement between themselves to do their own blood tests, like they were trying to reach" with the United States Anti-Doping Agency's Olympic-style drug-testing, said Kizer, whose organization requires bloodwork to be submitted by fighters before they receive a one-year license.
That bloodwork, taken before the athlete's first bout of the year in Nevada, is tested for AIDS and other blood-borne diseases.
"We have things in place to do the urine tests, and we could do one every day until the day of the fight if they wanted to. But blood-testing is nothing we do," said Kizer. "So I doubt that it's something that we would do. But again, that would have to be something that the commission would have to look at."
The ongoing disagreement concerning the random blood-testing is "a deal-breaker," said Leonard Ellerbe, the 32-year-old Mayweather's adviser.
"The only way that this fight will not get made is if Manny Pacquiao is not willing to be randomly blood-tested," said Ellerbe. "As far as Floyd Mayweather, he is more than ready, willing and able to be randomly tested."
Pacquiao himself addressed the issue of steroid use in a column he writes regularly on his Web site.
"The truth is taking blood out of my body does not seem natural to me, and, mentally, I feel it will weaken me if blood is taken from me just days before the fight. That does not make sense to me why anyone would do that," said Pacquiao.
"These accusations of me using any performance-enhancing supplements are totally unwarranted and unjustified," said Pacquiao. "To all of my fans I want to say thank you very much for all your support and understanding. I always give honor to God first and I would never cheat. I would never cheat God, I would never cheat myself, and I would never cheat my country and my fans."
At issue originally was this: Mayweather's camp first wanted both fighters to be randomly tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, using urinalysis and blood samples throughout the fight's buildup -- including training -- even if the procedure was executed on the day before, the day of, and/or the day after the fight.
USADA chief Travis Tygart has insisted that both urine and blood tests are required to determine if an athlete is clean, specifically saying that urinalysis alone does not detect performance-enhancers such as human growth hormone.
Pacqiuao's camp had originally stated that the seven-division titlist would agree to urinalysis at any time, but to only be blood-tested three times: Once in January, once 30 days before the fight, and once in the locker room following the fight.
But Tygart said that scheduled notification, such as that proposed by Pacquiao's side, could allow a fighter to cheat around the testing.
Mayweather's side has softened its position as of late, and seems no longer wedded to any one organization administering the blood tests as long as they are done randomly. Similarly, Arum seems to have eased up on the notion of random blood-testing, as long as it is done by the NSAC.
"We're prepared to live with whatever decision is made by the Nevada Commission. If they said that they wanted to test them within a time closer than the 30 days, then we would go along with it. We have confidence, as we always have -- and so does Manny -- to do what they have to do," Arum said of Pacquiao, who has fought 11 times in Las Vegas and tested cleanly each time.
"We would only agree to this, period," said Arum. "We don't want any outside agency involved, and we don't want anybody telling the commission how to do this."
It is, however, still unclear whether random blood-testing can or will be done by the NSAC.
"That's something I've talked about with Mr. Ellerbe about on a few occasions, and I've talked to Mr. Bob Arum on a few occasions about with this fight," said Kizer.
"For any fight, we're always willing to work with the fighters and work with the promoters or both," said Kizer. "We've always been a fighter-friendly, promoter-friendly, fan-friendly commission, I believe. But, really, it's [random blood-testing] a matter for them to resolve between themselves."
Arum said that his stepson, Top Rank president Todd duBoef, was discussing the matter on Sunday with Golden Boy Promotions' Bruce Binkow, who is representing Mayweather's side.
"This offer will be made to them," said Arum. "And if they don't accept this offer, it will demonstrate completely that they don't want the fight."
If that's the case, Arum said that he is prepared to pursue matchups with 140-pound junior welterweight star Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five KOs) or unbeaten WBO junior welterweight titlist Tim Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) if a deal can't be struck with Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), a five-time champion who, like Pacquiao, stands to make a record $40 million if they were to meet.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not accept these terms [then] my promoter will find me another fight for March 13. Again, I will fight anyone at any time. I would always like to be known for my honor and my integrity," said Pacquiao.
"I will always be known for my courage and my willingness to face any man at anytime in my career," said Pacquiao. "If Floyd Mayweather Jr. truly ever wanted to fight me, and he is not really scared, he would accept these terms I am willing to give him as they are above and beyond what the commission demands."
In the meantime, Pacquiao still has tentative plans to go ahead with a lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions, Mayweather and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., the latter of whom publicly leveled steroid accusations at Pacquiao in September.
"Specifically, Mayweather Sr. has accused Manny of taking steroids. So Manny's reputation has been tarnished and damaged because this is now something that everyone is talking about and it's cast a doubt on Manny as far as the possibility that he is using performance-enhancing drugs," said Winchell Campos, a close friend and biographer to Pacquiao.
"I know that Bob and Manny are going to meet the first thing in 2010, and I know for a fact that Bob has called up some high-powered attorneys in Los Angeles to discuss representing Manny in court," said Campos.
"I don't know the extent of damage the accusations have done to Manny's character, but that's something that the lawyers will have to tell Manny," said Campos "I don't know if a public apology from [Golden Boy Promotions' CEO Richard] Schaefer and the Mayweathers would suffice, but knowing Manny, who is a forgiving person, he would probably bury the hatchet and move on. But that's just my opinion."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao would agree to unlimited urinalysis and blood-testing for the proposed March 13 megabout with Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but only if the procedures are executed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, said on Sunday.
The Nevada Commission uses urinalysis testing before and after fights to detect illegal and performance-enhancing drugs, but other than requiring bloodwork to earn a one-year license, the NSAC has never used blood-testing to determine drug use, the organization's executive director, Keith Kizer, said on Saturday.
"We are prepared to advise the Nevada Athletic Commission that we only want them involved, and that Manny will take a random urinalysis test at any time on any date as long as it was ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission," Arum told FanHouse, saying that Monday is his deadline for finalizing the matchup before moving on to other options for the 31-year-old Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts).
"No. 2, we would agree to take the blood test in January within 30 days of the fight and any other random blood tests that the Nevada State Athletic Commission elected to do without a timeline," said Arum. "We're so confident that the Nevada Commission would do the right thing that we don't have to put a timeline in there."
Reached on Saturday, Kizer said that he had not yet discussed the prospect of blood-testing with either Mayweather's or Pacquiao's camps.
"They haven't talked to me about blood tests, but they've both talked to me about urine tests, and we can do as many urine tests as they want. But we don't do blood tests, though," said Kizer, adding that the prospect of inaugural blood-testing for drug use would be "something that I would have to take up with the chairman of the commission," Pat Lundvall.
"They [Mayweather and Pacquiao] can reach a prior agreement between themselves to do their own blood tests, like they were trying to reach" with the United States Anti-Doping Agency's Olympic-style drug-testing, said Kizer, whose organization requires bloodwork to be submitted by fighters before they receive a one-year license.
That bloodwork, taken before the athlete's first bout of the year in Nevada, is tested for AIDS and other blood-borne diseases.
"We have things in place to do the urine tests, and we could do one every day until the day of the fight if they wanted to. But blood-testing is nothing we do," said Kizer. "So I doubt that it's something that we would do. But again, that would have to be something that the commission would have to look at."
The ongoing disagreement concerning the random blood-testing is "a deal-breaker," said Leonard Ellerbe, the 32-year-old Mayweather's adviser.
"The only way that this fight will not get made is if Manny Pacquiao is not willing to be randomly blood-tested," said Ellerbe. "As far as Floyd Mayweather, he is more than ready, willing and able to be randomly tested."
Pacquiao himself addressed the issue of steroid use in a column he writes regularly on his Web site.
"The truth is taking blood out of my body does not seem natural to me, and, mentally, I feel it will weaken me if blood is taken from me just days before the fight. That does not make sense to me why anyone would do that," said Pacquiao.
"These accusations of me using any performance-enhancing supplements are totally unwarranted and unjustified," said Pacquiao. "To all of my fans I want to say thank you very much for all your support and understanding. I always give honor to God first and I would never cheat. I would never cheat God, I would never cheat myself, and I would never cheat my country and my fans."
At issue originally was this: Mayweather's camp first wanted both fighters to be randomly tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, using urinalysis and blood samples throughout the fight's buildup -- including training -- even if the procedure was executed on the day before, the day of, and/or the day after the fight.
USADA chief Travis Tygart has insisted that both urine and blood tests are required to determine if an athlete is clean, specifically saying that urinalysis alone does not detect performance-enhancers such as human growth hormone.
Pacqiuao's camp had originally stated that the seven-division titlist would agree to urinalysis at any time, but to only be blood-tested three times: Once in January, once 30 days before the fight, and once in the locker room following the fight.
But Tygart said that scheduled notification, such as that proposed by Pacquiao's side, could allow a fighter to cheat around the testing.
Mayweather's side has softened its position as of late, and seems no longer wedded to any one organization administering the blood tests as long as they are done randomly. Similarly, Arum seems to have eased up on the notion of random blood-testing, as long as it is done by the NSAC.
"We're prepared to live with whatever decision is made by the Nevada Commission. If they said that they wanted to test them within a time closer than the 30 days, then we would go along with it. We have confidence, as we always have -- and so does Manny -- to do what they have to do," Arum said of Pacquiao, who has fought 11 times in Las Vegas and tested cleanly each time.
"We would only agree to this, period," said Arum. "We don't want any outside agency involved, and we don't want anybody telling the commission how to do this."
It is, however, still unclear whether random blood-testing can or will be done by the NSAC.
"That's something I've talked about with Mr. Ellerbe about on a few occasions, and I've talked to Mr. Bob Arum on a few occasions about with this fight," said Kizer.
"For any fight, we're always willing to work with the fighters and work with the promoters or both," said Kizer. "We've always been a fighter-friendly, promoter-friendly, fan-friendly commission, I believe. But, really, it's [random blood-testing] a matter for them to resolve between themselves."
Arum said that his stepson, Top Rank president Todd duBoef, was discussing the matter on Sunday with Golden Boy Promotions' Bruce Binkow, who is representing Mayweather's side.
"This offer will be made to them," said Arum. "And if they don't accept this offer, it will demonstrate completely that they don't want the fight."
If that's the case, Arum said that he is prepared to pursue matchups with 140-pound junior welterweight star Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, five KOs) or unbeaten WBO junior welterweight titlist Tim Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) if a deal can't be struck with Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), a five-time champion who, like Pacquiao, stands to make a record $40 million if they were to meet.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not accept these terms [then] my promoter will find me another fight for March 13. Again, I will fight anyone at any time. I would always like to be known for my honor and my integrity," said Pacquiao.
"I will always be known for my courage and my willingness to face any man at anytime in my career," said Pacquiao. "If Floyd Mayweather Jr. truly ever wanted to fight me, and he is not really scared, he would accept these terms I am willing to give him as they are above and beyond what the commission demands."
In the meantime, Pacquiao still has tentative plans to go ahead with a lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions, Mayweather and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., the latter of whom publicly leveled steroid accusations at Pacquiao in September.
"Specifically, Mayweather Sr. has accused Manny of taking steroids. So Manny's reputation has been tarnished and damaged because this is now something that everyone is talking about and it's cast a doubt on Manny as far as the possibility that he is using performance-enhancing drugs," said Winchell Campos, a close friend and biographer to Pacquiao.
"I know that Bob and Manny are going to meet the first thing in 2010, and I know for a fact that Bob has called up some high-powered attorneys in Los Angeles to discuss representing Manny in court," said Campos.
"I don't know the extent of damage the accusations have done to Manny's character, but that's something that the lawyers will have to tell Manny," said Campos "I don't know if a public apology from [Golden Boy Promotions' CEO Richard] Schaefer and the Mayweathers would suffice, but knowing Manny, who is a forgiving person, he would probably bury the hatchet and move on. But that's just my opinion."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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