Floyd Mayweather's criminal docket stalls Round 3 of Manny Pacquiao talks -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

It may be symptomatic of boxing's many ills that the Biggest Fight That Can Be Made remains in limbo.

Nothing is happening, there is no move for a third round of Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super bout negotiations.

In the runup to Pacman's Nov. 13 Cowboy Stadium bout against Antonio Margarito and the troubled Mayweather's Las Vegas criminal court arraigment on felony and lower level charges related to the Baby Mama Drama, the sounds you hear are the sounds of silence.

It may be the one and only subject that Robert Arum and Richard Schaefer can agree on as their respective companies keep conducting nuclear blasts at each other in the fight for promotional supremacy in the cuththroat world of pro boxing.

Richie Rich told me on Tuesday at Gleason's Gym that "now is not the time to talk about Floyd Mayweather Jr."

Arum was quick to agree to that on Wedneday.

"There's nothing, nada, zippo," Arum said. "What can there be to discuss? Let Mayweather clean up his own house so to speak. Manny's got his hands full with Margarito and Floyd has his whole legal situation.

"It's Mayweather who is sitting in limbo. Mayweather's first prioritry has to be clean up his legal situation and, unless and until he does that, Mayweather does not exist."

Arum became the third person to confirm to me that the random drug testing issue was overcome during the most recent talks although the Top Rank chief says Schaefer's knowledge could be characterized as hearsay.

Both Pacquiao and Schaefer have told me to my face that the drug testing hurdle was removed when the Pinoy Idol agreed to fully random testing procedures and dropped his 14 day cutoff stipulation.

"That's true, the issue has been solved but you've got to understand that, on their side, only Haymon knows that directly because they kept Schaefer out of it.

"But, past the drug testing, the issue was if Floyd would fight again this year, that was the biggest issue. Now we know he won't do that."

Sounds to me like Round Three won't commence until January but I'm only an impartial observer.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao impressive in gym workout -- Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero and Artemio Dumlao, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao once again skipped his roadwork yesterday but was impressive in his first day of sparring at the Shape Up Gym where he did four rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia.

“It was a very good sparring. Freddie Roach was very happy and he had no complaints,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz.

Pacquiao played basketball Wednesday evening and spent more time with the treadmill the morning after. While his handlers say it’s perfectly fine, experts believe going out on the road is still the best thing to do.

It’s the first time in training that Pacquiao has skipped roadwork quite often. Tuesday morning he also opted to stay in his hotel room after playing basketball the night before.

Pacquiao also complained of some pain on his left foot the other day. It may be considered a slight injury which he sustained while working out at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City last Friday.

This could be the reason why Roach pushed the first day of sparring from last Tuesday to yesterday.

“Still, he sparred well today,” said Koncz, who expects the number of rounds to gradually increase as the days come by. Another sparring partner, Michael Medina, may be tapped when sparring resumes tomorrow.

Koncz said sparring was done behind closed doors, and not even some members of Team Pacquiao were allowed in, as well as mediamen, including photographers based in Baguio City.

“Yes, even Team Pacquiao members were kept out. I think there were just three or four of us inside as he sparred,” said Koncz, of course not counting Roach and fellow trainers Alex Ariza, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

“Tapia did a very good job,” added Koncz of the 5-foot-11 junior welterweight.

Roach said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. might come in as a sparring partner but seems to be have difficulty with his travel papers.

Even when Pacquiao was still in Manila, Tapia had already expressed his like for the Filipino champion who is gearing up for a Nov. 13 clash with Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC super-welterweight crown.

“He’s fast. He has the speed and he has the footwork. He’s going to pop Margarito,” said Tapia. – With report from Rose Tamayo-Tesoro

Source: philstar.com