Amidst all the Sturm und Drang of the on then off, on then off Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super fight negotiations, the most contentious issue on the table, under the table and behind the table has been a consistent one.
The Mayweather side has always maintained that it thinks Pacman is a drug cheater and thus it's one persistent, nonflexible demand was always for totally random drug testing.
If you recall, Pacquiao would only OK a prefight drug test up to 14 days before the fight with the mandatory postbout blood being drawn in their respective lockerrooms immediately thereafter.
The negotiations crashed twice when the hopes of fight fans worldwide were running high and the two sides started spitting at each other again. Even a self-imposed gag order did not get them to the contract stage in the second go-round.When Pacquiao was in New York a few weeks ago to hype his Nov. 13 bout against Antonio Margarito, he quietly but firmly told me he had aceded to the random testing demand. No ifs, buts and no candy or nuts if you know what I mean.
Pacman made the statement with agent Michael Koncz standing behind him. Koncz did not seek to correct or modify Congressmanny's plain assertion.
On Tuesday, as Oscar de la Hoya visited Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn to plug Golden Boy's new relationship with Barclays Center in that boxing conscious borough, I nearly had a cardiac event when I mentioned what Manny said to GBP CEO Richard Schaefer.
Two or three other scribes were within earshot. I don't know if they were as astounded as I was by Richie Rich's quick response.
I expected a "no comment" or other form of demurral.
I mean, it's not like we were in a deposition or RRS was under oath on cross examination.
But no such disclaimer or correction was forthcoming.
Instead, Schaefer co-signed Pacquiao's statement regarding accepting the at any given time blood testing for drug use.
"If Pacquiao said that, then I'm sure he wouldn't lie about it," Schaefer said without blinking.
It's not Schaefer was intoxicated with truth serum or anything.
But I did not have him across the table, under oath in a deposition or on the witness stand undergoing cross examination.
I inquired about Mayweather and Schaefer took a pass.
"I'm not talking about Mayweather right now," Schaefer snapped.
If boxing fans have any strand of hope for Floyd-Manny to happen in 2011, I say this is it.
Random drug testing is a non-issue now and both sides have said so.
If they can't reset and, Antonio Margarito permitting, then make Floyd-Manny for next May, then I'll be compelled to write a book about their idiocy.
I wonder if can borrow John Kennedy O'Toole's title for his great New Orleans novel.
That's right. "Confederacy of Dunces."
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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