FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH MAY HAND PACQUIAO 'FIGHTER OF THE DECADE' AWARD -- PhilBoxing

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com

Elation written all over his face Bob Arum, by far the pre-eminent boxing promoter in the world jetted to Mexico City with the owner of the Dallas Cowboys $1.2 billion state-of-the-art stadium Jerry Jones and created further excitement about ‘The Event” on March 13 which pits pound-for-pound icon Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines against Ghana’s tough former champion Joshua Clottey for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title.

The affair was given added prestige with the presence of WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman and his son and WBC secretary general Mauricio Sulaiman as well as well-known Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran and the added glamor of the gorgeous Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Arum was obviously elated over his prized possession Pacquiao not just being voted as the “Fighter of the Decade” by the prestigious Bowing Writers Association of America but that he whipped his closest rival Floyd Mayweather Jr by a bigger margin than 2-to-1.

BWAA president Jack Hirsh told us earlier that he was looking at an international figure to present the award to Pacquiao and www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports learned that Arum was keen on having former US President George Bush who is apparently a huge Pacquiao fan do the honors.

Reflecting on Pacquiao’s achievements, Boxing Writers Association of America president Jack Hirsch put it best when he said “If there was any doubt that Manny Pacquiao is the biggest star of his sport, it was put to rest by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America. By an overwhelming margin, Pacquiao took home not only the BWAA's newly named "Sugar Ray Robinson Fighter of the Year" award, but went one better by also winning "Fighter of the Decade" honors. For Pacquiao, it was his third BWAA "Fighter of the Year" award, tying him with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield for the most in the history of the organization.”

According to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, the Filipino boxing hero was his usual humble self thanking the boxing writers for the honor bestowed on him which he dedicated to his country and people who have supported him all these years, and promising always to uphold the integrity of the sport and serve as an example to the youth.

Koncz said “everything is going perfectly. Manny did seven rounds of sparring and looked like he never left off from the (Miguel) Cotto fight. He stayed in physical condition by playing a lot of basketball in the Philippines and that helped.”

Respected boxing writer and television reporter James Blears of boxingscene.com reported out of Mexico that Jerry Jones revealed he wants to be right up there in the fray of competition for the chance to hold the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr, should the difficult negotiations ultimately prove fruitful after he finishes with the March 13 sporting extravaganza..

Blears quoted the Dallas Cowboys owner who said “I want to earn that, and want to earn that with boxing and with the fans of boxing. I appreciate what Las Vegas has meant to boxing, and it’s been special. But fights of this stature can be shown when you have four or five times the amount of people and you can get the atmosphere too.”

Jones pointed out that the NFL “as great a game as it is on television, and it was built for television, would be nothing if it didn’t have the pageantry and crowds of the stadium. The crowds and the fan experience that comes your way through television are important to enjoy that game. You and I want to know they’re playing before thousands and thousands of people. Boxing can have that and we can have that at the cowboys stadium!”

Jones explained his pride and love for sports and spoke of his determination to put on the best show with Pacquiao and Clottey and indicated he was determined to make it a resounding success.:
Explaining the about the unsurpassed financial commitment in building the new stadium, Blears quoted Jones as saying “The bottom line- I emptied my bucket to build that stadium. Before they play, I tell the team, empty your bucket today. We have emptied our bucket to have Manny Pacquiao be the first fight in that stadium. We will do everything we can."

“We will take that huge screen that makes him seventy two feet tall, and we’ll hang it thirty feet above their heads. And when they’re in there competing and fighting, every fan in the stadium, will feel as if they’re in there with them!”

The astute Arum, banking on the support of Mexican fans who themselves have embraced Pacquiao despite the fact that he has demolished every Mexican legend, added up an exciting undercard which features Irish hope John Duddy and Salvador Sanchez - the nephew of the late, great world champion who died in a tragic car crash and a enthralling encounter between WBC Welterweight Intercontinental champion Alfonso Gomez and ring legend Jose Luis Castillo who battled Mayweather in two exciting bouts and served as one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners as he prepared for the Cotto fight last November.

Source: philboxing.com

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Pacquiao awes Cowboys' billionaire owner -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Texas billionaire Jerry Jones had an unforgettable experience during the ongoing whirlwind tour of Mexico to promote his ambitious project – the March 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.

“Manny Pacquiao is an enigma,” Jones told the Bulletin in his Texas twang Wednesday from Mexico City where he is holed out with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys and the Cowboys Stadium that will be the site of the Pacquiao-Clottey bout, said he marveled with the way the Mexican media and public responded to the event and specially to the Filipino fighter.

“Manny is well-respected, well-liked and beloved by Mexico, whose men he had beaten up,” said the awe-inspired Jones, who is joining hands with Arum‘s Top Rank Inc. in staging the world title match.

“The reception (here in Mexico) is unbelievable” added Jones, whose next stop will be the city of Monterrey where he and Arum are expected to preside over another press conference.

Jones and Arum decided to visit Mexico to further hype up the fight with the inclusion of Mexican fighters – featuring one-time Pacquiao sparring partner and ex-world champion Jose Luis Castillo – on the undercard.

“We are mesmerized with the reception given to us,” said Arum.

Meanwhile, Clottey is back in New York after a week-long stay in his native Ghana.

Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels could not confirm if Clottey was able to bring in his trainer-of-choice, Godwin Dzanie Kotey, whose application for the renewal of his US visa was denied in the capital city of Accra.

Samuels said Clottey made sure he did not let up in training while he was in Ghana.

“I was told by his manager Vinny Scolpino that Clottey trained hard while he was in Ghana,” said Samuels.

Team Clottey is headed for the Contenders Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this weekend.

Source: mb.com.ph

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Indonesian world champion bemoans lack of exposure -- Reuters

Reuters

JAKARTA - WBA featherweight champion Chris John hopes his success will pave the way for fellow Indonesians to make their mark on the sport, but worries that a lack of professional bouts and scant television coverage is holding them back.

Undefeated John (43-0-2), ranked number one in his weight category by Ring Magazine, is scheduled to defend his title in Bali in April or May against an as yet undecided opponent.

However, it is unlikely that Indonesians will get to watch one of their sporting greats in action as most fights are not broadcast on television.

John believes the lack of coverage discourages his compatriots from pursuing a career in boxing.

"There are many potential boxers in Indonesia. The problem right now is that there are not many fights, especially on TV," John told Reuters by telephone last week.

"They are training but they don't know when they are going to fight. How can you get a good career unless you fight?"

But John's success and that of Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the sport's pound-for-pound number one fighter, have given boxing a boost in Asia and encouraged fans and promoters to look in the region for fresh talent.

"Me, as world champion, it means they (Indonesian boxers) have the opportunity to be world champion, just by working hard."

HOME DECISION

John, who at 30 sees his career lasting another five years, endured a controversial draw with Houston-native Rocky Juarez in his U.S. debut in February last year.

While he did not agree with the decision, he said it had not put him off fighting U.S. boxers or taking fights in the United States.

"Of course I was disappointed (with the draw), because maybe it was a home decision," he said.

"For fighting (in future), it doesn't necessarily have to be in the U.S. I hope to fight in Indonesia, like in (Jakarta suburb) Depok and hopefully I will be fighting in Bali in April or May."

John said he was interested in fighting WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez or undefeated Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa.

"It would be interesting to fight them. Until now, neither my trainer nor I have heard from them. I do have more experience than Lopez, but then again, in the ring, we won't know the outcome."

Lopez and Gamboa fought on the same card in New York last month and are expected to meet later this year, leaving John slightly out of the picture and considering a move up to super-featherweight.

"I'm not sure now because when I move up I must leave my super champion belt. My trainer has a plan for me to move up a weight and has planned appropriate training," he added.

(Editing by Patrick Johnson and Peter Rutherford)

Source: reuters.com

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Findin' Floyd: Mosley signs, Mayweather absent -- Examiner

By Vivek Wallace, Examiner.com

For years, fight fans have found one reason or the other to hate Floyd Mayweather jr.

For some, it's his 'hit-and-not-be-hit' blueprint for victory, while for others it's his arrogant flash-n-brash attitude that keeps them from becoming fans; but whatever the case, throughout his illustrious career there's never been a shortage of reasons to despise a man who seems to love the role as a villain.

With a million and one ill-fated statements already notched under his belt, there seems to be yet a new reason for many fight fans to despise Mayweather.

After negotiations fell apart for the proposed Mayweather/Pacquiao showdown, Pacquiao went in another direction by selecting Ghana native Joshua Clottey.

Many around the sport found this to be a top notch effort and wondered whether or not Mayweather could ever do anything to exceed his effort.

When the Mosley/Berto fight fell apart due to Berto's great affiliation to those left in a ravished homeland, (Haiti), the obvious choice was a showdown with Mayweather who also lost a dancing partner.

Negotiations hit high gear rather quickly and after only a few days, it was believed that the deal was in fact in place and the fight was on.

Here we are a few weeks later, and suddenly we learn that a fight we felt was pretty solid is actually far from.

Unconfirmed reports a week ago had Mayweather apparently at odds over the fact that he would have to face Mosley at a number far lower than what he would have received against Pacquiao. While that may be true in theory, the reality is that Mayweather had a very well orchestrated and very necessary demand that remains the X-factor in that fight not happening as well.

For those on the cynical side, the reason for Mayweather holding this fight up is loud and clear. They will say he is "afraid", that he "doesn't want the fight", and that he "was forced into this fight" and has opted out. For his apologist, they will agree that he "can more money elsewhere", and that he "doesn't have to face Mosley after Mosley denied him twice in the past".

The reality here is that none of us know why Mayweather hasn't signed the deal, but in an era of hi-tech technology that could allow him to sign a deal from anywhere on the planet (Fax machine, internet, overnight mail, etc) it's a bit hard to understand why a man who has never met an autograph opportunity that he didn't like would fail to place his "John Hancock" on the dotted line.

In a room of a million fight fans, I'm sure we could muster a million different reasons why he hasn't.

With that door wide open, I'd like to walk in and enter another........

With Joshua Clottey a bit down and out about his trainer being declined a visa to come to the U.S. to train him, perhaps Mayweather has considered some "step-aside" money to get him to walk away, opening the door to the slim-but-sparkling possibility of Mayweather reducing his testing demands and agreeing to a neutral date to complete some unfinished business.

Yeah.....I know they said this fight is as dead as it gets, but in an era of the sport where mega-fights have more lifelines than Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, I guess it's best for you readers to know that I'm a huge fan of the Beatles.....and in their name, I quote:

"PEOPLE SAY THAT I'M A DREAMER.......BUT (YOU KNOW WHAT) I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE"!

Stay tuned.

(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, YouTube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Eastside Boxing, 8CountNews, FaceBook and Myspace).

Source: examiner.com

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Mosley vs Mayweather - Will It Actually Happen!?! -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer was not a happy man yesterday. The top promoter admitted to ESPN.com that he is concerned the planned May 1st mega-fight between "Sugar" Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Junior may be in "trouble." The reason for the former Swiss banker's consternation is the fact that although WBA 147-pound king Mosley signed the fight contract last Friday, Mayweather has still not signed.

This whole story may have become academic by the time you read this article and Mayweather may well have signed the contract either late Tuesday or early Wednesday, U.S time, but up until yesterday evening, Schaefer and his team were most worried..

As has been reported on ESPN.com by Dan Rafael:

"He [Mayweather Jnr.] still hasn't signed," said Schafer. "I am so frustrated. I don't know what Floyd is waiting for. I have no clue. I have a signed contract from Shane on my desk. I have nothing from Floyd."

It goes without saying how a number of fans will jump to the conclusion that Mayweather - often accused as he has been in the past of being a "cherry picker" when it comes to who he will agree to fight - is having second thoughts about taking the risky fight. We don't have any evidence at all that this is the case, but if this isn't what Floyd is thinking then why on earth doesn't he just sign? Schaefer, seeing how big a fight the May 1st clash is, wants to get moving with the promotional stuff; yet until he has both signatures on the contract he cannot.

So what are we, the fans, supposed to think? First and foremost, we are as worried as Schaefer is that this fight - the second would-be super-fight involving Mayweather Junior - will fall apart. We saw Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao go south (at least as far as it happening in the first quarter of 2010) and now it seems there is a chance we could see Mayweather-Mosley do likewise.

Again, things could be all cleared up by the time I've even written this (at approx 10 AM, UK time) and it is to be hoped this is indeed the case. For if Mayweather is having enough second thoughts to want to pull out of the fight (it would be most interesting to hear what possible reason Floyd could give for not facing Mosley - after all, Shane agreed to everything Pacquiao wouldn't with regards to blood testing, etc) it's almost a certainty the fans would never forgive him.

If, and it is only an if at this stage, Mayweather does avoid Mosley, his reputation will suffer an almighty blow. "Just do us all a favour, and retire, Floyd," a good number of fans would say if Mayweather opted out of yet another meaningful fight.

At this stage, bearing in mind how great a fighter Mayweather is (or can be, as some people would say), we must give the 32-year-old star the benefit of the doubt, and assume he WILL sign the contract when he's good and ready. Maybe Floyd is even sat having a big laugh at Mosley's expense, having merely adopted a touch of early physiological warfare?

But Mosley's attorney, Judd Bernstein, who also spoke to ESPN.com, may have hit the nail right on the head with the following comments:

"It's either one of two things that has happened," Bernstein said with regards to why Floyd hasn't signed. "Either he's rethought the wisdom of risking his unbeaten record against Shane or he chooses to act like a 7-year-old. Hopefully, it's the latter and he will mature very quickly."

Well said indeed, Mr. Bernstein!

Source: eastsideboxing.com

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Shane Mosley Awaiting Floyd Mayweather's Signature -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Since the BALCO scandal of 2003, after he subsequently admitted having unknowingly used the steroids, the cream," and, "the clear," Shane Mosley has been the most prominant boxer as far as being fairly or unfairly linked to performancing drugs.

So when the negotiations for a proposed bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fell apart primarily over Pacquiao's refusal to be random blood-tested no closer than 14 days of their bout, and Mayweather-Mosley became a possibility, two of the first questions generally raised were whether or not the Mayweather camp would make similar demands of Mosley, and whether the latter, indeed, would go where Pacquiao would not.

It did, and, Mosley did.

On Friday, the 38-year-old Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) signed a bout contract to fight the 32-year-old Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), even as the deal requires that both fighters agree to the same Olympic-style, random blood-testing as Mayweather's insisted upon during their scuttled negotiations with Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs).

"The terms of the agreement did not question him. What happened was seven years ago, and Shane has taken the hits for it, and I believe that his name has been unfairly taken through the mud," said Mosley's attorney, Judd Burstein, who carefully went over the contract with the WBC's super welterweight (147 pounds) champion on Friday in Las Vegas.

"The issue is that Shane doesn't care about what testing somebody wants," said Burstein of Mosley, who stands to receive his largest payday against Mayweather. "If they want it, they can have it. He's completely unconcerned. He knows that he's not a cheater."

That same day, Burstein said that he immediately informed the CEO of Mayweather's promotional company, Leonard Ellerbe, of Mosley's actions, and that he was assured that Mayweather's signature would be forthcoming "in the next two days."

On Monday, Burstein said Mayweather's adviser, Al Haymon, confirmed that Mayweather would sign the deal "Today."

But by late Tuesday, however, there still was no signature from the unbeaten five-time champion.

"I spoke to Al Haymon today, and he said that we have a deal, and it will be done. But then, I've been told that it was going to be done every day since Saturday," said Burstein.

"I keep getting assurances that we have an agreement, yet I can't get any explaination as to why there's been no signature," said Burstein. "I have no issue with Al Haymon. I think that he's a great guy and he's very honorable," said Burstein. "But he's not his client, so I don't blame him. I blame his client."
Ellerbe had no comment..

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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MAYWEATHER MAY WANT TO WAIT FOR PACQUIAO, BUT HE NEEDS MOSLEY NOW MORE THAN EVER -- FightHype

By Tim Harrison, FightHype

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has yet to sign his end of the contract to fight WBA welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley, and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer is outwardly frustrated. Schaefer told boxingscene.com that he would like to have both men participate in some sort of promotional events at this Sunday’s Superbowl, but the promotion can’t move forward without Mayweather’s signature.

So what is the holdup? What is keeping Mayweather from stealing back boxing’s spotlight? Some say fear. Others say ego, as he enjoys playing the heel and keeping himself on the bad side of the fans. Some might think that Floyd is pondering the possibility of returning the favor to Mosley and taking a vacation while Manny Pacquiao fights Joshua Clottey and runs for a congressional seat in his home nation.

Simply stated, passing on a proposed mega-fight with Mosley would surely mean career suicide for the talented one.

Why, whatever do you mean? I’m glad you asked.

Would a pay-per-view fight between Mayweather and the likes of Kermit Cintron, Nate Campbell, Paulie Malignaggi, Matthew Hatton, or (yikes) Saul Alvarez even log a considerable number of buys? Mayweather may rake in a couple million to hold him over until Manny and Arum come calling, but a pay-per-view bust would surely kill his claim to holding any drawing power, and thus decrease his purse split.

If Mayweather passes on Mosley and foregoes a “stay busy” fight and chooses to wait for Pacquiao, it is very possible that Arum puts disgraced boxer Antonio Margarito in the ring with Pacquiao. Arum ran Margarito’s name up the proverbial flagpole and it came back down with a slight favorable edge. While some (including yours truly) feel that Margarito shouldn’t be given the opportunity to share the ring (and a cut of the PPV revenue) with Pacquiao, Margarito’s large fan base trumps the opposed.

However, the presence of Margarito may only be used to get Mayweather to drop his demand for random Olympic-style drug testing. Even worse, he may be used to get Mayweather to agree to a smaller revenue split. Margarito may only be a tool of leverage against Mayweather, but when push comes to shove Arum will flip Mayweather the bird and pit his fighters against one another yet again.

Furthermore, passing on Mosley might surely mean the burning of the bridge between Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions. Can you imagine Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya wanting to do more business with the man that had a hand in killing two of the biggest cash-grabbing opportunities of the new decade?

So what options are left for Mayweather? Will he “nut up or shut up”, and sign on the dotted line? Or will he take a meaningless “stay busy” fight until Pacquiao’s schedule opens up? Will he gradually fade away from the conscious thought of the hardcore boxing fans, only occasionally popping up to do an interview on a Sirius satellite radio program? Only time will tell.

Source: boxing.fighthype.com

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Roach: Manny Pacquiao will fight Mosley if he defeats Mayweather -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

Freddie Roach has insisted to Telegraph Sport that Manny Pacquiao will fight Shane Mosley if he defeats Floyd Mayweather (although Money is yet to sign the contract) but the four-time trainer of the year believes it is Mayweather’s fight to lose.

I caught up with Freddie Roach yesterday. How is Manny Pacquiao shaping up for his contest with Joshua Clottey ? “He has sparred twice, he looks really good, he knocked out one sparring partner and we have four other sparring partners in here at the moment.” Pacquiao weighed in yesterday at 147 lbs.

Roach is studying Clottey intently. “Clottey is very basic, he does the same things, but he is very good at what he does, but Manny is going to knock him out. He has a great chin, a big right hand, but Manny knows how to nullify his strengths.”

The big question, of course, is whether Pacquiao v Mayweather will ever happen…?

“I think it will happen, and it will be Manny’s next fight. What has happened may make the fight bigger. I think Mayweather will fight Shane Mosley, but if he doesn’t, it will make the fight with Manny happen sooner. If Floyd does fight Shane, that’s a good fight, and one I’d like to see. But Mosley will be beaten by Floyd. Mosley does well with guys who will come at him. He has had trouble with guys who move. Mayweather wins that fight. But Mosley is a brave guy. If for any reason Mosley wins, Manny would definitely fight him. We’ll take that fight.

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk

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Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey latest betting tips -- Betting Choice

Betting Choice

We’re just about six weeks away from Manny Pacquiao’s next big fight, and while it may not be the epic Pacquiao vs Mayweather battle many of us were anticipating, it will likely be a great bout with plenty of action, excitement and profitable betting opportunities!

Over at William Hill, they’ve got some competitive odds available already. Currently, Pacquiao’s odds to win are a very slim 1/4 to beat the Ghanaian welterweight. Clottey’s odds are listed at 11/4 while the unlikely draw is paying out at a 25/1 margin. Pacquiao will be in this one to win and will likely use this as a showcase for how he can beat somebody as solid as Mayweather.

Joshua Clottey has never lost a fight by KO and I think that’s what Pacquiao is going to try to do. A KO or TKO victory for Pacquiao would send a clear message to the Mayweather camp that Floyd’s undefeated career is as good as gone once he steps into the ring with Manny Pacquiao.

The nice thing about a Pacquiao victory by KO, TKO or DQ is that its priced so well. Such a victory to Manny pays out at a juicy 6/4 while a decision victory is laid at an odds-on price of 10/11. Clottey is 8/1 to win via decision and 11/2 to win by KO, TKO or DQ.

I think there’s a great betting opportunity there by backing Pacquiao to KO or TKO Clottey- he’s going to come out with that intention and I don’t see him fighting with attrition in mind. I’m not sure if its going to be a final round KO like we saw against Juan Manuel Marquez, and I’m leaning a bit towards a surprise early KO victory.

The round betting odds for Manny Pacquiao are fairly solid and straightforward. You’ll find him trading as high as 33/1 to win in the first round before dropping as low as 16/1 in rounds 7-10. He is 25/1 in rounds 12 and 2. He is trading at 20/1 in rounds 4, 5, 6 and 11.

Clottey is available at 50/1 to win in rounds 1-4 and rounds 12. He is 40/1 to win in virtually every other round.

I think if you’re looking to back Pacquiao in this fight, to get in there and do it now, as the price will continue to drop as more money comes in. He’s short-priced, so it will be hard to turn a big profit- that’s why I’m pushing Manny Pacquiao to become the first fighter to KO Josh Clottey- sending a clear message to the Floyd Mayweather camp that Pacquiao should be feared.

Source: bettingchoice.co.uk

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Where, oh where, is Floyd's signature? -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, is usually a calm, cool and collected sort. The former Swiss banker doesn't get rattled easily.

Tuesday morning, however, he sounded rattled, expressing concern about why Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not signed his contract to face welterweight champ Shane Mosley on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in as big of a fight as there is in the sport.

It has been five days since both sides acknowledged an agreement on terms.

Mosley, of course, put pen to paper on Friday in Las Vegas, where his attorney, Judd Burstein, went through the paperwork with him point by point.

"He is excited to move forward with the bout," Burstein told me at the time.

Burstein also added that he had been assured by Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather's advisers, that there were no problems on their side.

"I confirmed with Leonard that there are no issues," Burstein said.

Ellerbe's quote to me for the story I wrote Friday was, "All of the deal points have been agreed to. We still have to put pen to paper, but everything is agreed to."

Yet five days later, Schaefer still does not have a signed agreement from Mayweather. He was clearly at wit's end when he called me about it Tuesday morning.

"He still hasn't signed. I am so frustrated," Schaefer said. "I wanted both guys to go down to the Super Bowl in Miami to do some promotional stuff. I don't know what Floyd is waiting for. I have no clue. I have a signed contract from Shane on my desk. I have nothing from Floyd."

Schaefer said he is in constant touch with Ellerbe and Al Haymon, Mayweather's other adviser, and when he asks them where the paperwork is, the response is always the same: "Every day, it's the next day. They say, 'Don't worry, it's going to come.' Well, where is it? I'm waiting for the signature before we can move on."

Burstein said he and Mosley were also quite aggravated by the delay.

"I am outraged," Burstein said when I reached him Tuesday afternoon. "I have a client who acts in a professional manner. He allows me to negotiate a deal for him in constant consultation with him. When it all gets put on paper, we go over it and, as promised, he signs if it's OK. That's what happened on Friday. It was signed with the assurance from Al Haymon and Leonard Ellerbe that everything was agreed to and there was no problem."

So what does Burstein believe is the issue?

"It's either one of two things that has happened," he said. "Either he's rethought the wisdom of risking his undefeated record against Shane or he chooses to act like a 7-year-old. Hopefully, it's the latter and he will mature very quickly. But either of these possibilities is completely unacceptable to us. He's going to end up in a fight with Mosley. The only question is whether it will be in the ring or in court."

Now, May 1 is still a ways off, but for a megafight the magnitude of Mosley-Mayweather, kicking it off with promotional appearances at the Super Bowl is significant. When Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya met in May 2007, their media rounds at the Super Bowl generated enormous interest in the fight, which went on to set the all-time pay-per-view record.

Schaefer wants to follow the same blueprint. He said Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr., who will meet April 3 in a pay-per-view rematch that Golden Boy is co-promoting, will be in Miami to help drum up interest in their fight, so he can't understand why Mayweather is MIA.

So I asked Schaefer if he was concerned that the Mosley-Mayweather fight might be in trouble?

His answer was simply, "Yes."

I asked him if he would elaborate.

"At this point, I don't know," he said. "We want to do some big PR, so this is frustrating. I read Leonard's quotes that it was agreed to and that it was just a matter of time to get it signed, but if it's all done, why isn't it signed?"

Schaefer has been down this road with Mayweather before, perhaps one of the reasons for his concern. He negotiated a fall 2008 rematch between Mayweather and De La Hoya, which also had been agreed to and was on the verge of being announced. However, Mayweather never signed the paperwork and instead announced his retirement, which lasted 18 months.

"I am not having flashbacks to anything, but [the Mosley fight] is still not signed," Schaefer said. "I don't know what it means. Obviously, we can't move forward with the promotion, including some important activities that were planned for this coming weekend, unless we have a signed deal."

Before negotiating with Mosley, Mayweather was close to a deal to face Manny Pacquiao on March 13 in what would have been, by far, the sport's biggest fight. But that fight fell apart shortly before what was supposed to have been a kickoff news conference in early January. The reason was because the fighters couldn't reach a compromise on drug-testing protocol. Mayweather insisted on testing that went far beyond the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. While Pacquiao accepted some additional testing, he refused random blood testing.

Both fighters moved on. Pacquiao quickly made a deal to defend his welterweight belt against Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Mayweather and Mosley began their talks after Mosley's Jan. 30 unification fight with Andre Berto was canceled.

So while Pacquiao wrapped up his deal with Clottey in about two seconds and Mosley signed on the dotted line in pretty short order, we all continue to wait for Mayweather's John Hancock yet again, including Schaefer.

"I always tell you, a signed deal is a done deal," Schaefer said. "It will only be done when Floyd signs, and that hasn't happened yet. I don't know of any deal terms that are not agreed to. I don't understand it."

Source: sports.espn.go.com

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The Overreaction To Mayweather Fighting Mosley Has Begun -- The Sweet Science

By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science

Now that Floyd Mayweather 40-0 (25) is on the verge of signing to meet Shane Mosley 46-5 (39) a full decade after Oscar De La Hoya fought him, eight years after Vernon Forrest won two decisions over him and two and a half years after Miguel Cotto decisioned him, Mayweather supporters are in everyone's face screaming "I told you Floyd didn't fear Shane."

Isn't it the obligation of a so-called all-time great like Mayweather to fight the best of the best of his era? This is something Mosley has done since making his pro debut in 1993. If Mosley's guilty of anything it's being a little too willing during his career and having not picked his spots like Mayweather has. This makes him the antithesis of Mayweather. If there is a single person reading this who honestly believes this fight wasn't realized sooner because Mosley wanted to take a vacation or that he harbored reservation about the outcome, you're either blinded by your personal bias or you've wasted a lot of your life watching and following professional boxing.

Let me see if I have this right... Finally, after being a pro for 14 years Floyd Mayweather has agreed to take a fight in which he doesn't hold every advantage, just most of them. And I'm supposed to laud him for that? If Mayweather is such a warrior and champion for fighting Mosley four months before he turns 39, and coming off the longest period of inactivity of his 17 year career, then Vernon Forrest, Winky Wright and Miguel Cotto are three of the ten greatest pound-for-pound fighters in boxing history.

Perhaps a more reasoned perspective should be taken into account regarding the pending Mayweather-Mosley bout, one that suggests that even being closer to 39 than 38, Shane Mosley represents the most dangerous opponent Mayweather will have faced at any weight during his professional career. Mayweather could've gone a different direction and taken an easier fight. I'll give him his props for taking a fight that could turn out to be tougher than fighting Pacquiao. I just won't go crazy about it nor do I think he's shed the perception of a guy who has picked his spots.

And as far as Mosley agreeing to Olympic style drug testing leading up to the bout, that's great for Shane. However, if what has been recently written about the procedures regarding the testing for PEDs in boxing is true, who's to say that if Mosley was injecting them that he wouldn't cease doing so just to get in the ring with Mayweather? Apparently the odds of getting caught are minuscule. No - I don't believe Mosley has been using any form of PEDs since the Clear/Balco days, but if he was, you better believe he'd stop instantly. In addition to that - I've yet to have someone point out one fighter who was under the suspicion of using PED/HGH who actually turned in a terrific performance and won a big fight. And if you're thinking Mosley-De La Hoya II as an example, I had Oscar winning that fight by a point and Shane actually looked better during their first bout when he was free of any form of PED/HGH/Clear.

If HGH/PEDs are running rampant in professional boxing, there's all the proof you need to confirm they don't make for a great fighter. Wouldn't you think boxing would be littered with more great fighters and physical specimens than it currently is? Maybe with boxing being so devoid of authentically great fighters it's a testament to the opposite?

I'd rather fight Mosley or Vargas with them on some form of PED than I would them having their gloves loaded a la Trinidad/Margarito. After their fight Oscar De La Hoya said Pacquiao's punches had nothing on them and that he was really more troubled by the speed and accuracy of them. Then he of course changed his tune when Mayweather wanted Pacquiao tested for PEDs. All of the sudden Pacquiao's punches felt like the ones he was hit with by Mosley and Vargas?

In fairness to Mayweather, outside of maybe Pacquiao, even a declining Mosley is the most dangerous fight for him to take as a welterweight. It's not like Shane is bringing a switchblade to a gun fight - the position that Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez were in when they fought Mayweather in his last two fights. Mosley can box and punch, he has good hand speed and is physically strong. Add to that he's mentally and physically tough, he no doubt represents Mayweather's sternest challenge. But he's still six or seven years past his peak, whereas Mayweather is at his peak. And since 2007, Floyd has fought three times compared to Mosley fighting four - so that's a wash.

However, by May 1st, Mosley will have not fought in 17 months compared to Mayweather who will becoming off a layoff of less than eight months. That's a clear advantage for Mayweather. Granted, Mosley was in training to fight Andre Berto, but the fight was canceled. Hopefully those reading this grasp that training for a fight and participating in one are not the same.

As of this writing Mayweather's signature win is his split decision nod over Oscar De La Hoya in May of 2007. In that fight Floyd wasn't impressive and it was more a case of Oscar once again abandoning a style that was working for him than it was Mayweather performing so spectacularly that Oscar couldn't cope with him. If Mosley hasn't eroded dramatically since he fought Margarito, then Shane should bring even more than Oscar did. On the other hand Mayweather is stronger and more confident now than he was when he fought Oscar. Therefore this fight has the potential to be a memorable one.

In reality, if Mayweather beats Mosley it's his signature win, and it cannot be dismissed. But should it do more for him and solidify his stature as one of the greats? I guess that all depends on who you are. However, if it didn't propel Vernon Forrest, Winky Wright or Miguel Cotto, who beat a younger and better version of Mosley into the pantheon of all-time greats, why should it Mayweather?

Mayweather-Mosley will do huge PPV numbers. Floyd's antics and mouth will sell the fight, and Mosley's credentials based on the opposition he has faced during his career will support his end of it. Pacquiao-Clottey isn't quite as intriguing but it's close. That said, Pacquiao-Mosley would be even more anticipated and comprehensively covered than Mayweather-Mosley. So Floyd can't claim PPV superiority over Pacquiao. Because Pacquiao versus fighter-X would be a bigger fight than Mayweather versus fighter-X, at least until Mayweather beats Pacquiao or Manny loses.

Mayweather by default will be facing a better fighter in Mosley than Pacquiao is in Clottey, but Manny has already scored a stoppage win over Cotto who beat Mosley by decision a little over 26 months ago. Yes, it's another notch in Mayweather's belt if he beats Mosley, but it's not the be-all end-all that moves Mayweather into the stratosphere with the likes of Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns. It just nudges him a little closer.

The good news for boxing is both Pacquiao and Mayweather have taken two tough fights, which in fact may be the reason why they may never fight each other because Clottey and Mosley are both live underdogs against them.

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

Source: thesweetscience.com

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