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
Monday, 28 December 2009
Floyd Mayweather's adviser stands firm on Olympic-style blood testing for Pacquiao fight -- The Grand Rapids Press
By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press
Floyd Mayweather’s adviser said the Grand Rapids native still is intent on making a fight with Manny Pacquiao in light of a Monday deadline set by the Filipino boxer’s promoter.
If the fight doesn’t materialize, it will be because of Manny Pacquiao’s “unwillingness to take random blood and urine tests -- and I don’t understand why,” Leonard Ellerbe said.
Ellerbe reiterated the Mayweather camp’s position that only random Olympic-style blood testing for banned substances would be acceptable in order to make the fight.
Ellerbe was responding to remarks earlier Sunday, by Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, that Mayweather would have to drop the drug-testing caveat and make a deal by Monday or the proposed March 13 fight would not materialize.
Arum initially said Pacquiao would agree to blood tests at a January press conference where the fight was to be announced, another test no more than 30 days before the fight, and a final one after the fight.
The Mayweather camp balked at that proposal.
“The whole idea of doing scheduled blood and urine testing is absurd,” Ellerbe said.
Arum also proposed putting the blood-testing issue in the hands of the Nevada Athletic Commission, which has no mechanism for enforcing such testing.
“With all due respect to the Nevada commission, Keith Kizer has publicly gone on record and said they wouldn’t be able to handle this particular issue at this particular time,” Ellerbe said.
Arum last week said if Mayweather-Pacquiao doesn’t materialize, he would begin negotiations for a different fight for Pacquiao, possibly against Paulie Malignaggi.
Ellerbe said Mayweather has not begun working toward a backup plan.
“Our focus is on making a deal,” he said.
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
Floyd Mayweather’s adviser said the Grand Rapids native still is intent on making a fight with Manny Pacquiao in light of a Monday deadline set by the Filipino boxer’s promoter.
If the fight doesn’t materialize, it will be because of Manny Pacquiao’s “unwillingness to take random blood and urine tests -- and I don’t understand why,” Leonard Ellerbe said.
Ellerbe reiterated the Mayweather camp’s position that only random Olympic-style blood testing for banned substances would be acceptable in order to make the fight.
Ellerbe was responding to remarks earlier Sunday, by Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, that Mayweather would have to drop the drug-testing caveat and make a deal by Monday or the proposed March 13 fight would not materialize.
Arum initially said Pacquiao would agree to blood tests at a January press conference where the fight was to be announced, another test no more than 30 days before the fight, and a final one after the fight.
The Mayweather camp balked at that proposal.
“The whole idea of doing scheduled blood and urine testing is absurd,” Ellerbe said.
Arum also proposed putting the blood-testing issue in the hands of the Nevada Athletic Commission, which has no mechanism for enforcing such testing.
“With all due respect to the Nevada commission, Keith Kizer has publicly gone on record and said they wouldn’t be able to handle this particular issue at this particular time,” Ellerbe said.
Arum last week said if Mayweather-Pacquiao doesn’t materialize, he would begin negotiations for a different fight for Pacquiao, possibly against Paulie Malignaggi.
Ellerbe said Mayweather has not begun working toward a backup plan.
“Our focus is on making a deal,” he said.
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
Blood brothers: De La Hoya trusts Mosley, suspects Pacquiao -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
Oscar de la Hoya, suddenly and brazenly pounding the public table for a fighter he makes money off to take blood and urine tests, may be having some fistic flashbacks.
Oscar, pounded into retirement by Mini Manny Pacquiao, says it should be no big deal for the Pinoy Idol to take random blood and urine exams, tests given at the whim and caprice of the testers, before a fight with Golden Boy repped Floyd Mayweather Jr.
To hear Oskie tell it, only a drug cheater would hesitate to do so.
In his autobiography “American Son,” penned in Oscar’s voice by Steve Springer, the Golden Boy reminisces about his second bout against Sugar Shane Mosley, now a VP at Oscar’s promotional company.
“I was looking forward to the rematch against Floyd because this time I would have Mayweather (Floyd Sr.) in my corner.
“When I saw Shane at the weigh-in, he looked different. He is always well cut, well defined. This time, though, he seemed bigger his muscles different. I know he’s a good athlete and I heard he had been doing some heavy lifting with weights, so I figured that’s what it was. He’d bulked up.
“I later heard his name had been linked to the BALCO steroid scandal although I know he said he never took anything and has never been charged with anything.
“I couldn’t believe it when the BALCO story broke because it was Shane. The Shane that I know, the Shane that I grew up with, is honest, the nicest person in boxing. To this day, I maintain he didn’t take anything. He’s not a cheater….”
At the close of Chapter 23 of the book, Oscar then writes:
“Shane and I have never talked about the BALCO allegations but I’m sure we will someday.”
So, in his own words, there you have it.
Oscar wants to protect Floyd Jr. but he could care less about Mosley’s Jan. 30 opponent, Andre Berto, or about protecting Mosley during their GBP promoted bout in Las Vegas.
No, Oscar is all about testing Pacman, the fearless fighter who shoved him into an ugly retirement, the little guy who made him quit on his stool.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Oscar de la Hoya, suddenly and brazenly pounding the public table for a fighter he makes money off to take blood and urine tests, may be having some fistic flashbacks.
Oscar, pounded into retirement by Mini Manny Pacquiao, says it should be no big deal for the Pinoy Idol to take random blood and urine exams, tests given at the whim and caprice of the testers, before a fight with Golden Boy repped Floyd Mayweather Jr.
To hear Oskie tell it, only a drug cheater would hesitate to do so.
In his autobiography “American Son,” penned in Oscar’s voice by Steve Springer, the Golden Boy reminisces about his second bout against Sugar Shane Mosley, now a VP at Oscar’s promotional company.
“I was looking forward to the rematch against Floyd because this time I would have Mayweather (Floyd Sr.) in my corner.
“When I saw Shane at the weigh-in, he looked different. He is always well cut, well defined. This time, though, he seemed bigger his muscles different. I know he’s a good athlete and I heard he had been doing some heavy lifting with weights, so I figured that’s what it was. He’d bulked up.
“I later heard his name had been linked to the BALCO steroid scandal although I know he said he never took anything and has never been charged with anything.
“I couldn’t believe it when the BALCO story broke because it was Shane. The Shane that I know, the Shane that I grew up with, is honest, the nicest person in boxing. To this day, I maintain he didn’t take anything. He’s not a cheater….”
At the close of Chapter 23 of the book, Oscar then writes:
“Shane and I have never talked about the BALCO allegations but I’m sure we will someday.”
So, in his own words, there you have it.
Oscar wants to protect Floyd Jr. but he could care less about Mosley’s Jan. 30 opponent, Andre Berto, or about protecting Mosley during their GBP promoted bout in Las Vegas.
No, Oscar is all about testing Pacman, the fearless fighter who shoved him into an ugly retirement, the little guy who made him quit on his stool.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
In his own words, Pacquiao on blood testing -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
The representatives for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. continue to try to hash out the protocol for the drug testing for their tentative March 13 super fight.
The showdown the world wants to see is hanging by a thread as the camps childishly squabble over that one. The rest of the deal is done, soup to nuts.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef, representing Pacquiao, is supposed to talk with Golden Boy executive Bruce Binkow on Sunday to see if they can save the fight and reach common ground on the testing regimen.
Mayweather made a big move on Saturday by backing off his insistence that the inflexible United States Anti-Doping Agency handle the blood testing aspect. Both camps have agreed to unlimited random urine testing.
But Top Rank boss Bob Arum, who has been an emotional wreck throughout the negotiations, took a backward step on Sunday when he told me from his Mexican vacation that Pacquiao would now only do whatever the Nevada State Athletic Commission asked him to do with regard to blood testing. The Nevada commission, of course, does not require blood testing, although Golden Boy could petition it to conduct it for the fight, with no guarantee it would take that on.
No longer would Pacquiao even submit to the three blood tests he had previously agreed to, one during the week of the kickoff news conference in January, another one no later than 30 days before the fight and a third one in the dressing room after the fight.
While Mayweather has come off his demand for USADA to handle the drug testing, he still wants random blood testing with a cut-off time before the fight to be agreed upon.
If Pacquiao won't agree to that, it's a non-starter, according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is also starting to uncharacteristically lose his cool during this high-stakes negotiation.
However, it's another day, and on Sunday, Pacquiao himself had his say, releasing a statement from the Philippines to clarify his take on the blood testing situation. Now, he's again willing to submit to at least the three blood tests.
Here is Pacquiao's statement:
"I am still willing to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. I never said the fight was off or I do not want to fight him. I will fight anyone at anytime and my record and past fights prove that. I have never and will never dodge anyone. These are my specifications for this fight regarding blood testing. I have offered to give a blood sample the day of the announcement of the fight at the (press conference). I have offered to give a blood sample 30 days before the fight. I am willing to give blood immediately after the fight is over inside my dressing room . I am also willing to give urine tests at anytime, anywhere, every day leading up to the fight.
"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. These accusations of me using any performance enhancing supplements are totally unwarranted and unjustified.
"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.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not accept these terms [then] my promoter will find me another fight for March the 13. Again, I will fight anyone at any time. I would always like to be known for my honor and my integrity. I will always be known for my courage and my willingness to face any man at anytime in my career. 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.
"I should not have to prove myself as I have always done what the commission has asked me to do, and I have never, ever swayed from that. Never has there been a time where anything I have ever done has been in question. I stand behind my honor and my integrity. I stand below God and my country. I stand with my fans and I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me, and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd, anywhere, any time."
I certainly doubt that Pacquiao is afraid to fight Mayweather, nor do I believe Mayweather is afraid to fight Pacquiao. What I am afraid of is that they may find a way to screw up the biggest fight the sport has to offer.
I do think, however, that eventually sanity will prevail, both sides will look at all those zeroes on the bottom line and get the deal done, as painful as it might be.
And when it's all set, there's only one thing the promoters can name this fight.
Blood Feud.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
The representatives for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. continue to try to hash out the protocol for the drug testing for their tentative March 13 super fight.
The showdown the world wants to see is hanging by a thread as the camps childishly squabble over that one. The rest of the deal is done, soup to nuts.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef, representing Pacquiao, is supposed to talk with Golden Boy executive Bruce Binkow on Sunday to see if they can save the fight and reach common ground on the testing regimen.
Mayweather made a big move on Saturday by backing off his insistence that the inflexible United States Anti-Doping Agency handle the blood testing aspect. Both camps have agreed to unlimited random urine testing.
But Top Rank boss Bob Arum, who has been an emotional wreck throughout the negotiations, took a backward step on Sunday when he told me from his Mexican vacation that Pacquiao would now only do whatever the Nevada State Athletic Commission asked him to do with regard to blood testing. The Nevada commission, of course, does not require blood testing, although Golden Boy could petition it to conduct it for the fight, with no guarantee it would take that on.
No longer would Pacquiao even submit to the three blood tests he had previously agreed to, one during the week of the kickoff news conference in January, another one no later than 30 days before the fight and a third one in the dressing room after the fight.
While Mayweather has come off his demand for USADA to handle the drug testing, he still wants random blood testing with a cut-off time before the fight to be agreed upon.
If Pacquiao won't agree to that, it's a non-starter, according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is also starting to uncharacteristically lose his cool during this high-stakes negotiation.
However, it's another day, and on Sunday, Pacquiao himself had his say, releasing a statement from the Philippines to clarify his take on the blood testing situation. Now, he's again willing to submit to at least the three blood tests.
Here is Pacquiao's statement:
"I am still willing to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. I never said the fight was off or I do not want to fight him. I will fight anyone at anytime and my record and past fights prove that. I have never and will never dodge anyone. These are my specifications for this fight regarding blood testing. I have offered to give a blood sample the day of the announcement of the fight at the (press conference). I have offered to give a blood sample 30 days before the fight. I am willing to give blood immediately after the fight is over inside my dressing room . I am also willing to give urine tests at anytime, anywhere, every day leading up to the fight.
"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. These accusations of me using any performance enhancing supplements are totally unwarranted and unjustified.
"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.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not accept these terms [then] my promoter will find me another fight for March the 13. Again, I will fight anyone at any time. I would always like to be known for my honor and my integrity. I will always be known for my courage and my willingness to face any man at anytime in my career. 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.
"I should not have to prove myself as I have always done what the commission has asked me to do, and I have never, ever swayed from that. Never has there been a time where anything I have ever done has been in question. I stand behind my honor and my integrity. I stand below God and my country. I stand with my fans and I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me, and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd, anywhere, any time."
I certainly doubt that Pacquiao is afraid to fight Mayweather, nor do I believe Mayweather is afraid to fight Pacquiao. What I am afraid of is that they may find a way to screw up the biggest fight the sport has to offer.
I do think, however, that eventually sanity will prevail, both sides will look at all those zeroes on the bottom line and get the deal done, as painful as it might be.
And when it's all set, there's only one thing the promoters can name this fight.
Blood Feud.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Mayweather's unconscionable decison making -- Bad Left Hook
By Brad Cooney, Bad Left Hook
Memo to Floyd Mayweather Jr: Be quiet, be very quiet. The second piece of advice (and this is free of charge) is to fire your entire team and replace them with people that will advise you properly. The decisions that the Mayweather camp have made thus far leading up to this train wreck have been unconscionable. With every blowhard move that team Mayweather has served, team Pacquiao has countered, and has done so brilliantly.
The very first thing that Floyd should have done early on is to get his uncle and his daddy to shut up. Both of those two individuals have done a stand up job securing the upcoming lawsuit about to get dropped on their heads. With the recent decision making on the Mayweather side of things, you could probably write a book about it, and title the book, "How to NOT make 30 million dollars and get sued in the process."
There is nothing worse than getting boxed into a corner. In this case, Mayweather's people boxed him into one. It was self inflicted by ridiculous decisions and point blank stupid comments made by the team. Who in their right mind goes on the record and accuses someone of taking steroids without any proof or basis for such allegations? Who does this to a guy like Manny Pacquiao? A man who has climbed the mountain through hard work, dedication, and faith. Pacquiao time and time again proved himself in the ring, he doesn't talk bad about people. He talks with his fists in the ring, and he maintains a humble and caring personality outside of the ring. To attack this man's character is plain ignorant.
When you are the king of the hill there are always those who want to knock you off. In this case it appears as if they are trying to knock the man off of the hill without even throwing a punch. So to add another stupid move, the Mayweather team demands that Manny undergo Olympic style blood testing leading up to the fight. This is just another way of accusing the man of taking steroids. Pacquiao countered this move and agreed to give blood before the press conference, and the day after the fight. If Pacquiao has taken steroids, it would show in his blood on the day after the fight. It's your move now Floyd, but it appears as if it's check mate time.
Mayweather has an undefeated record. Pacquiao fans are not impressed, they say that he has cherry picked his opponents and has fought guys much smaller. Their argument certainly holds water, the proof is in the pudding. Mayweather for the most part has indeed fought smaller opponents, there is no argument there. Now Floyd has a man in Manny Pacquiao that is smaller, but has straight up destroyed every big man put in front of him. Does Floyd realize that he would be dealt the first loss of his career if he fights Pacquiao? Is he afraid that if he loses to Pacquiao he would be exposed as a guy that has indeed cherry picked his opponents to an undefeated record? Perhaps so.
There is a really easy way to fix all of this. Here is my second piece of free advice to Floyd Mayweather Jr. After you fire your team and hire new people, scrap the blood test demands, and let the commission do their thing. Sign the contract that will make you up to 30 million dollars, and fight your ass off like you never fought before. If you win, you will get a lot more respect than you have now. If you lose, but lose trying, and lose in a game effort, you will still gain more respect than you have now. As of right now you are taking the PR beating of your life.
Source: 8countnews.com
Memo to Floyd Mayweather Jr: Be quiet, be very quiet. The second piece of advice (and this is free of charge) is to fire your entire team and replace them with people that will advise you properly. The decisions that the Mayweather camp have made thus far leading up to this train wreck have been unconscionable. With every blowhard move that team Mayweather has served, team Pacquiao has countered, and has done so brilliantly.
The very first thing that Floyd should have done early on is to get his uncle and his daddy to shut up. Both of those two individuals have done a stand up job securing the upcoming lawsuit about to get dropped on their heads. With the recent decision making on the Mayweather side of things, you could probably write a book about it, and title the book, "How to NOT make 30 million dollars and get sued in the process."
There is nothing worse than getting boxed into a corner. In this case, Mayweather's people boxed him into one. It was self inflicted by ridiculous decisions and point blank stupid comments made by the team. Who in their right mind goes on the record and accuses someone of taking steroids without any proof or basis for such allegations? Who does this to a guy like Manny Pacquiao? A man who has climbed the mountain through hard work, dedication, and faith. Pacquiao time and time again proved himself in the ring, he doesn't talk bad about people. He talks with his fists in the ring, and he maintains a humble and caring personality outside of the ring. To attack this man's character is plain ignorant.
When you are the king of the hill there are always those who want to knock you off. In this case it appears as if they are trying to knock the man off of the hill without even throwing a punch. So to add another stupid move, the Mayweather team demands that Manny undergo Olympic style blood testing leading up to the fight. This is just another way of accusing the man of taking steroids. Pacquiao countered this move and agreed to give blood before the press conference, and the day after the fight. If Pacquiao has taken steroids, it would show in his blood on the day after the fight. It's your move now Floyd, but it appears as if it's check mate time.
Mayweather has an undefeated record. Pacquiao fans are not impressed, they say that he has cherry picked his opponents and has fought guys much smaller. Their argument certainly holds water, the proof is in the pudding. Mayweather for the most part has indeed fought smaller opponents, there is no argument there. Now Floyd has a man in Manny Pacquiao that is smaller, but has straight up destroyed every big man put in front of him. Does Floyd realize that he would be dealt the first loss of his career if he fights Pacquiao? Is he afraid that if he loses to Pacquiao he would be exposed as a guy that has indeed cherry picked his opponents to an undefeated record? Perhaps so.
There is a really easy way to fix all of this. Here is my second piece of free advice to Floyd Mayweather Jr. After you fire your team and hire new people, scrap the blood test demands, and let the commission do their thing. Sign the contract that will make you up to 30 million dollars, and fight your ass off like you never fought before. If you win, you will get a lot more respect than you have now. If you lose, but lose trying, and lose in a game effort, you will still gain more respect than you have now. As of right now you are taking the PR beating of your life.
Source: 8countnews.com
Mayweather given Monday deadline to take deal -- Sports Illustrated
By Chris Mannix, SI.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told SI.com on Sunday that he has made his final offer to Floyd Mayweather and that Mayweather has until Monday morning to accept the deal. The offer remains essentially the same -- Pacquiao will submit to unlimited urine tests while agreeing to blood tests in January and as many as two more no later than 30 days before the fight.
The new wrinkle to the offer is that Arum is proposing a hearing be held on Jan. 19 in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission to determine whether additional blood tests are necessary.
"This is unprecedented," said Arum. "Our expert says blood tests are ridiculous. But we will let the commission decide. They are the governing body."
If Mayweather refuses, Arum says he will make a deal for Pacquiao to face former junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi on March 13 in Las Vegas.
"That deal will take about an hour [to make]," said Arum.
The Nevada commission does not require fighters to submit to blood tests before a fight. Commission rules require fighters to take urine tests before and after each fight, tests that detect 40 different types of steroids, masking agents and diuretics.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, Arum says Pacquiao plans to move forward with his defamation lawsuit against Mayweather. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who is negotiating for Mayweather, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told SI.com on Sunday that he has made his final offer to Floyd Mayweather and that Mayweather has until Monday morning to accept the deal. The offer remains essentially the same -- Pacquiao will submit to unlimited urine tests while agreeing to blood tests in January and as many as two more no later than 30 days before the fight.
The new wrinkle to the offer is that Arum is proposing a hearing be held on Jan. 19 in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission to determine whether additional blood tests are necessary.
"This is unprecedented," said Arum. "Our expert says blood tests are ridiculous. But we will let the commission decide. They are the governing body."
If Mayweather refuses, Arum says he will make a deal for Pacquiao to face former junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi on March 13 in Las Vegas.
"That deal will take about an hour [to make]," said Arum.
The Nevada commission does not require fighters to submit to blood tests before a fight. Commission rules require fighters to take urine tests before and after each fight, tests that detect 40 different types of steroids, masking agents and diuretics.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, Arum says Pacquiao plans to move forward with his defamation lawsuit against Mayweather. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who is negotiating for Mayweather, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Pacquiao camp sets deadline for Mayweather bout -- BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, has given Floyd Mayweather's camp a deadline of Monday to settle a blood test row and salvage their fight.
The welterweight pair were due to meet on 13 March but the fight was called off last week over the issue.
The American's camp were told by Pacquiao's people that the Filipino would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to the fight.
Arum wants the Nevada State Athletic Commission to rule on the matter.
He wants a hearing on the matter on 19 January and said on Sunday that that if Mayweather's camp does not agree to allow Nevada officials to decide when and how to conduct blood tests, he will sign a deal for Pacquiao to instead face Paulie Malignaggi.
"We'll go along with what the Nevada commission decides," Arum said. "We want this fight to go forward."
The fight, due to take place in Las Vegas, was expected to be the richest of all time.
Pacquiao has said he will file a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather for accusing him of taking performance-enhancing drugs.
If the blood feud does scuttle the bout in March, there is a chance it could be staged later this year, but that is not likely to take place until after each fighter has met another opponent in the ring.
Pacquiao, 31, became a five-weight world champion following his WBO welterweight title win over Miguel Cotto in November, while Las Vegas-based Mayweather returned from a 21-month retirement to beat Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in September.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, has given Floyd Mayweather's camp a deadline of Monday to settle a blood test row and salvage their fight.
The welterweight pair were due to meet on 13 March but the fight was called off last week over the issue.
The American's camp were told by Pacquiao's people that the Filipino would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to the fight.
Arum wants the Nevada State Athletic Commission to rule on the matter.
He wants a hearing on the matter on 19 January and said on Sunday that that if Mayweather's camp does not agree to allow Nevada officials to decide when and how to conduct blood tests, he will sign a deal for Pacquiao to instead face Paulie Malignaggi.
"We'll go along with what the Nevada commission decides," Arum said. "We want this fight to go forward."
The fight, due to take place in Las Vegas, was expected to be the richest of all time.
Pacquiao has said he will file a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather for accusing him of taking performance-enhancing drugs.
If the blood feud does scuttle the bout in March, there is a chance it could be staged later this year, but that is not likely to take place until after each fighter has met another opponent in the ring.
Pacquiao, 31, became a five-weight world champion following his WBO welterweight title win over Miguel Cotto in November, while Las Vegas-based Mayweather returned from a 21-month retirement to beat Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in September.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Pacman: I'm not running away - Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Manny Pacquiao has reiterated his demand not to be blood tested within 30 days of a proposed showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jnr as rival promoters attempt to save the fight.
The Filipino was set to meet Mayweather on March 13 in Las Vegas but a dispute over the drug testing procedures is threatening to derail the long-awaited meeting between two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Mayweather Jnr wants US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) protocols, including random blood tests at any point before the fight, which was a deal breaker to Pacquiao, who said such tests too near the bout would weaken him.
"I'm still willing to fight Floyd Mayweather. I never said the fight was off or I do not want to fight him," Pacquiao said in a blog posting on his official website.
"I'll fight anyone at any time and my record and past fights prove that. I have never and will never dodge anyone."
On his unwillingness to allow himself to be blood tested close to fight day, he added: "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."
Mayweather Jnr's promoter, Richard Schaefer, told ESPN that he had backed off USADA rules but would insist upon testing within 30 days of the fight as representatives of rival promoters tried to thrash out a deal.
"We know that 30 days before is not effective. At 30 days, we might as well not even do it," Schaefer said.
"It is a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cut off date to assure it will still be effective."
Frustrating
Schaefer called the shifting positions in talks frustrating and questioned Pacquiao's desire to face Mayweather Jnr.
"I don't know how to explain it other than maybe Pacquiao doesn't want the Mayweather fight," he added.
Pacquiao, however, made his position equally clear in his posting.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jnr 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 (Nevada) commission demands," Pacquiao said.
"I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd anywhere any time."
Source: skysports.com
Manny Pacquiao has reiterated his demand not to be blood tested within 30 days of a proposed showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jnr as rival promoters attempt to save the fight.
The Filipino was set to meet Mayweather on March 13 in Las Vegas but a dispute over the drug testing procedures is threatening to derail the long-awaited meeting between two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Mayweather Jnr wants US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) protocols, including random blood tests at any point before the fight, which was a deal breaker to Pacquiao, who said such tests too near the bout would weaken him.
"I'm still willing to fight Floyd Mayweather. I never said the fight was off or I do not want to fight him," Pacquiao said in a blog posting on his official website.
"I'll fight anyone at any time and my record and past fights prove that. I have never and will never dodge anyone."
On his unwillingness to allow himself to be blood tested close to fight day, he added: "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."
Mayweather Jnr's promoter, Richard Schaefer, told ESPN that he had backed off USADA rules but would insist upon testing within 30 days of the fight as representatives of rival promoters tried to thrash out a deal.
"We know that 30 days before is not effective. At 30 days, we might as well not even do it," Schaefer said.
"It is a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cut off date to assure it will still be effective."
Frustrating
Schaefer called the shifting positions in talks frustrating and questioned Pacquiao's desire to face Mayweather Jnr.
"I don't know how to explain it other than maybe Pacquiao doesn't want the Mayweather fight," he added.
Pacquiao, however, made his position equally clear in his posting.
"If Floyd Mayweather Jnr 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 (Nevada) commission demands," Pacquiao said.
"I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd anywhere any time."
Source: skysports.com
No surprise: Pacquiao is the fighter of the year -- El Paso Times
By Matthew Aguilar, El Paso Times
With the end of 2009 drawing to a close, it's time to recognize the year's best work.
Fighter of the Year
Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao's dominance was again the year's biggest headline -- as it was in 2008. The Filipino superstar followed up a December dismantling of Oscar De La Hoya by flattening the recognized junior welterweight champ, Englishman Ricky Hatton, in two rounds in May. He then outslugged perhaps the best 147-pounder in the world, Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, for a 12th-round TKO in November.
The Hatton knockout was explosive and brief -- as picturesque as it was brutal. The Cotto victory was a systematic drubbing of a bigger, stronger man. Combine them, and you have a masterpiece of a year. Indeed, the last 24 months for "Pac-Man" have been perhaps the most comprehensive, entertaining and impressive body of work of any boxer over the last decade, as Pacquiao showed a versatility that very few fighters -- even elite fighters -- ever realize.
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever gets the nerve to actually fight him, Pacquiao could garner his third "Fighter of the Year" award in as many years in 2010.
Fight of the Year
Juan Manuel Marquez KO 9 Juan Diaz: For about four rounds back on Feb. 28, Marquez -- generally regarded at the time as boxing's second-best pound-for-pound fighter -- had the look of a confused man. Diaz, the bigger fighter, had attacked Marquez from the outset -- pinning him against the ropes and punishing him with his faster hands. Diaz had even staggered the iron-chinned Marquez. But, slowly, Marquez began to show his class and superiority and, by the time it was over, Diaz had been down twice and beaten to a pulp. In between, it was a riveting battle between two proud warriors.
Round of the Year
Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez (1): On paper, this looked like it may be one of the least entertaining fights of 2009. But things got popping quickly, as Williams decked Martinez early in the round, and Martinez returned the favor late in the round. In between, the two middleweights traded bombs in the center of the ring. The decision, by majority for Williams, was also one of the most controversial.
Upset of the Year
Juan Carlos Salgado KO 1 Jorge Linares: Linares, the WBA super featherweight champ who looked like a future star, epitomized Golden Boy Promotions' horrible year. Weeks after signing with Oscar De La Hoya's company, Linares faced the unknown (but undefeated) Salgado in Tokyo in what amounted to a tuneup for bigger and better things. Instead, Linares caught a big Salgado right hand early and never recovered.
Comeback of the Year
Shane Mosley: Going into his January challenge of Antonio Margarito, Mosley wasn't considered washed-up. But he was thought to be damaged goods in light of a loss to Miguel Cotto in late 2007, and a struggle with Ricardo Mayorga in 2008.
"Sugar Shane" wasn't considered more than a bump in the road against the surging, ferocious Margarito. Surprise! Mosley turned in what is probably the most impressive, dominant performance of his career, destroying Margarito and re-establishing himself as an elite fighter. How good did Mosley look? He's been avoided like the plague and hasn't fought since.
Knockout of the Year
Pacquiao KO 2 Hatton: Well, what can you say about this one? The left hand that clipped Hatton on the chin, froze him for an instant and sent him crashing to the mat was nothing short of awesome. It was one of those perfect punches that electrifies the sport. And we're not sure if Hatton has gotten up yet ...
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com
Source: elpasotimes.com
With the end of 2009 drawing to a close, it's time to recognize the year's best work.
Fighter of the Year
Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao's dominance was again the year's biggest headline -- as it was in 2008. The Filipino superstar followed up a December dismantling of Oscar De La Hoya by flattening the recognized junior welterweight champ, Englishman Ricky Hatton, in two rounds in May. He then outslugged perhaps the best 147-pounder in the world, Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, for a 12th-round TKO in November.
The Hatton knockout was explosive and brief -- as picturesque as it was brutal. The Cotto victory was a systematic drubbing of a bigger, stronger man. Combine them, and you have a masterpiece of a year. Indeed, the last 24 months for "Pac-Man" have been perhaps the most comprehensive, entertaining and impressive body of work of any boxer over the last decade, as Pacquiao showed a versatility that very few fighters -- even elite fighters -- ever realize.
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever gets the nerve to actually fight him, Pacquiao could garner his third "Fighter of the Year" award in as many years in 2010.
Fight of the Year
Juan Manuel Marquez KO 9 Juan Diaz: For about four rounds back on Feb. 28, Marquez -- generally regarded at the time as boxing's second-best pound-for-pound fighter -- had the look of a confused man. Diaz, the bigger fighter, had attacked Marquez from the outset -- pinning him against the ropes and punishing him with his faster hands. Diaz had even staggered the iron-chinned Marquez. But, slowly, Marquez began to show his class and superiority and, by the time it was over, Diaz had been down twice and beaten to a pulp. In between, it was a riveting battle between two proud warriors.
Round of the Year
Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez (1): On paper, this looked like it may be one of the least entertaining fights of 2009. But things got popping quickly, as Williams decked Martinez early in the round, and Martinez returned the favor late in the round. In between, the two middleweights traded bombs in the center of the ring. The decision, by majority for Williams, was also one of the most controversial.
Upset of the Year
Juan Carlos Salgado KO 1 Jorge Linares: Linares, the WBA super featherweight champ who looked like a future star, epitomized Golden Boy Promotions' horrible year. Weeks after signing with Oscar De La Hoya's company, Linares faced the unknown (but undefeated) Salgado in Tokyo in what amounted to a tuneup for bigger and better things. Instead, Linares caught a big Salgado right hand early and never recovered.
Comeback of the Year
Shane Mosley: Going into his January challenge of Antonio Margarito, Mosley wasn't considered washed-up. But he was thought to be damaged goods in light of a loss to Miguel Cotto in late 2007, and a struggle with Ricardo Mayorga in 2008.
"Sugar Shane" wasn't considered more than a bump in the road against the surging, ferocious Margarito. Surprise! Mosley turned in what is probably the most impressive, dominant performance of his career, destroying Margarito and re-establishing himself as an elite fighter. How good did Mosley look? He's been avoided like the plague and hasn't fought since.
Knockout of the Year
Pacquiao KO 2 Hatton: Well, what can you say about this one? The left hand that clipped Hatton on the chin, froze him for an instant and sent him crashing to the mat was nothing short of awesome. It was one of those perfect punches that electrifies the sport. And we're not sure if Hatton has gotten up yet ...
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com
Source: elpasotimes.com
Arum: Mayweather wants to keep Pacquiao blood eight years -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
They say you should never say never but Bob Arum is ready to say never to a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather super bout.
An exasperated Arum told me Saturday night he’s made a final offer to the Mayweather team.
At the same time, Mayweather representative Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com that if Pacman does not agree to blood testing closer than 30 days before the fight date, there is no fight. The diplomatic Schaefer then said he would shut his phone off until January 2.
If they accept, Arum said the Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super bout will proceed as planned on March `13 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. If not, then Arum said from his Cabo San Lucas working vacation location Mayweather won’t fight Pacqiuao ever.
“Manny will do a blood test, as required, to get his new boxing license in January per the Nevada commission,” Arum said. “Manny will also do another blood test after the fight. End of story.
"If they do not agree to this, then that’s the end for Mayweather as far as Pacquiao is concerned. Then Mayweather will never, never fight Manny.”
Here's what Schaefer told ESPN:
"What we're saying, and what is important to us, is four things -- that the tests be random, that they include blood and urine and the time frame, meaning when do you stop the tests before the fight but know they will still be effective. Three of them we have agreed on -- random, blood and urine. So now it is a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cutoff date to assure it will still be effective."
At this time, the Nevada commission does not require any blood testing other than the one required for a new license. The purpose of those tests is to screen for HIV, not for steroids.
Arum then informed me that Schaefer has made some bizarre comments about why blood tests rather than urine tests must be done on the Pinoy Idol.
“Richard said the blood tests can be saved for up to eight years and that, if five years from now they come up with a way to find illegal substances in the blood that they can’t find right now,” Arum said.
“Is that insane? This is a fight in Nevada and it has to be under their rules. They (Schaefer’s company, Golden Boy) have (Shane) Mosley fighting Jan. 30. Mosley has admitted to using illegal steroids. There is no blood testing being done for that fight because it’s not in Nevada’s rules.
“Oscar (de la Hoya) is calling for blood testing on Manny. When was Oscar ever blood tested before or after a fight? I will tell you when he was, never. I have had it with this motherbleeper Schaefer amd with this pussycat Mayweather. Mayweather does not want to fight Manny, it’s obvious,” Arum said.
The promoter said he would wait until Monday of Tuesday but then will move to plug in a substitute opponent for March 13 from his own WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, the Lou Dibella handled Paulie Malignaggi or junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley (promoted by Gary Shaw).
It’s ironic to note that Malignaggi has continually accused Pacman of cheating with illegal drugs and that Shaw’s son, Jared, has said that the Pinoy Idol’s cheating should be totally exposed.
Like Mayweather and unlike Mosley, Pacman has never been charged with using illegal drugs before any fight.
“If they don’t cut the crap, we will move on,” Arum said. “Let Schaefer shut his phone off, who cares?”
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
They say you should never say never but Bob Arum is ready to say never to a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather super bout.
An exasperated Arum told me Saturday night he’s made a final offer to the Mayweather team.
At the same time, Mayweather representative Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com that if Pacman does not agree to blood testing closer than 30 days before the fight date, there is no fight. The diplomatic Schaefer then said he would shut his phone off until January 2.
If they accept, Arum said the Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super bout will proceed as planned on March `13 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. If not, then Arum said from his Cabo San Lucas working vacation location Mayweather won’t fight Pacqiuao ever.
“Manny will do a blood test, as required, to get his new boxing license in January per the Nevada commission,” Arum said. “Manny will also do another blood test after the fight. End of story.
"If they do not agree to this, then that’s the end for Mayweather as far as Pacquiao is concerned. Then Mayweather will never, never fight Manny.”
Here's what Schaefer told ESPN:
"What we're saying, and what is important to us, is four things -- that the tests be random, that they include blood and urine and the time frame, meaning when do you stop the tests before the fight but know they will still be effective. Three of them we have agreed on -- random, blood and urine. So now it is a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cutoff date to assure it will still be effective."
At this time, the Nevada commission does not require any blood testing other than the one required for a new license. The purpose of those tests is to screen for HIV, not for steroids.
Arum then informed me that Schaefer has made some bizarre comments about why blood tests rather than urine tests must be done on the Pinoy Idol.
“Richard said the blood tests can be saved for up to eight years and that, if five years from now they come up with a way to find illegal substances in the blood that they can’t find right now,” Arum said.
“Is that insane? This is a fight in Nevada and it has to be under their rules. They (Schaefer’s company, Golden Boy) have (Shane) Mosley fighting Jan. 30. Mosley has admitted to using illegal steroids. There is no blood testing being done for that fight because it’s not in Nevada’s rules.
“Oscar (de la Hoya) is calling for blood testing on Manny. When was Oscar ever blood tested before or after a fight? I will tell you when he was, never. I have had it with this motherbleeper Schaefer amd with this pussycat Mayweather. Mayweather does not want to fight Manny, it’s obvious,” Arum said.
The promoter said he would wait until Monday of Tuesday but then will move to plug in a substitute opponent for March 13 from his own WBA junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, the Lou Dibella handled Paulie Malignaggi or junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley (promoted by Gary Shaw).
It’s ironic to note that Malignaggi has continually accused Pacman of cheating with illegal drugs and that Shaw’s son, Jared, has said that the Pinoy Idol’s cheating should be totally exposed.
Like Mayweather and unlike Mosley, Pacman has never been charged with using illegal drugs before any fight.
“If they don’t cut the crap, we will move on,” Arum said. “Let Schaefer shut his phone off, who cares?”
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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