He is still a nobody in the top boxing world but Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather jr have a new opponent in Tim Bradley
There is a new challenge to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Though he is still being taken as nobody but he aspires to fight the two fighters some day in the near future.
Tim Bradley is an emerging fighter and his powerful punches are already talk of the boxing world.
In his weight class 140 pound, he is among the most promising boxers and is yet to find a boxer who could beat him. Now this frail looking boxer is looking towards meeting the top two fighters some day in the boxing ring.
In a recent interview he talked everything from his being the top boxer in the world to the one who could beat Manny and Mayeather saying that after some time the world would demand that Manny Pacquiao face him.
In a freewheeling interview he said, “And if Manny Pacquiao's still going to still be in the game, then, it's going to be inevitable that he will have to fight me. Trust me. The fight fans, the media, everyone will be calling for the fight.”
Notwithstanding the big mouthed talk of Tim Bradley, he is still talking of probabilities. It is like Amir Khan taking on Mayweather Jr and Manny pacquiao.
Source: ndchronicle.com
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Pacquiao may opt to fight Antonio Margarito outside US
FILIPINO boxer Manny Pacquiao, a seven-weight-division winner, is willing to fight former world champion Antonio Margarito outside the United States if his mega bout against unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather, Jr. would not go on. Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz divulged to boxing.funhouse.com that Pacquiao (51-3-2 win-loss-draw with 38 knockouts) could also possibly hold a rematch against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto (35-2 with 28 KOs).
Pacquiao seized Cotto’s World Boxing Organization’s welterweight belt in 2009.
For Margarito, he can’t fight Pacquiao in the US soil since his boxing license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission after an illegal hand-wrapping scandal in January 2009 when he beat Cotto.
“We are looking at a venue outside of the US, and it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto. It’s not Mexico, but until I have a concrete deal in place, I don’t want to divulge what country that is,” said Koncz.
Margarito (38-6 with 27 Kos) is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision last May against Roberto Garcia in a junior middleweight clash that was fought in Mexico, which licensed him for the bout.
Margarito could not still apply a license in Nevada last week.
“But it doesn’t eliminate a possible fight against Manny. If Manny decides to fight Margarito, just because he got denied in Nevada—that’s not going to squash the fight,” he added.
Source: manilatimes.net
Pacquiao seized Cotto’s World Boxing Organization’s welterweight belt in 2009.
For Margarito, he can’t fight Pacquiao in the US soil since his boxing license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission after an illegal hand-wrapping scandal in January 2009 when he beat Cotto.
“We are looking at a venue outside of the US, and it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto. It’s not Mexico, but until I have a concrete deal in place, I don’t want to divulge what country that is,” said Koncz.
Margarito (38-6 with 27 Kos) is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision last May against Roberto Garcia in a junior middleweight clash that was fought in Mexico, which licensed him for the bout.
Margarito could not still apply a license in Nevada last week.
“But it doesn’t eliminate a possible fight against Manny. If Manny decides to fight Margarito, just because he got denied in Nevada—that’s not going to squash the fight,” he added.
Source: manilatimes.net
Money Talks: The Manny Pacquiao – Floyd Mayweather JR Superfight Complications
ver the past few months professional boxing has delivered some good match- ups. The first half of this year has not been that bad! Even though the biggest fight of the decade fell apart, the sport continued to stride. With the access of HBO Sports, Showtime and ESPN2, boxing is alive and well. There have been some exciting fights on all of these networks.
We enjoy HBO Boxing, HBO Boxing After Dark, Showtime’s Super Six and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Some of these events were with the best fighters boxing has to offer, such as; Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, Andre Berto, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz, Joshua Clottey, Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather JR.
These fighters and there were some I didn’t mention here, have already fought in this first half of 2010. The sport is off to a good start. It seemed that most of the match ups went pretty well, even the negotiations.
Why is Floyd Mayweather JR. and Manny Pacquiao fight so complicated?
First of all, these two fighters are special, but human. Sometimes the bigger the demand, the more complicated it gets. The public has made these two special fighters immortals. To add to that, they know how important they are to boxing fans. Right now these two fighters are sitting at the very top of the world in boxing with their promoters strapped to their ankles.
Even though we have enjoyed some good fights this year, it seems the one everybody wants to see is Floyd “Money” Mayweather JR. vs. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. It seems the boxing public do not care what other good match ups are out there and I’m sure there are some. Right now it seems nothing can fill this void, except that fight. Fight fans are like junkies needing a fix when it comes to these guys. These two fighters know the magnitude of this fight and what it’s worth in dollars, which has somewhat made them gods.
They are so big that their promoters have very little power over them. Turn the calendar back five years and these two fighters were known only by boxing fans, now they are both household names. When you think of one, you automatically think of the other. That’s why this fight has to happen. They are forever linked together even if a fight never materializes.
I don’t believe either fighter is afraid of the other. Fighting is what they are trained to do, it’s their job. Some believe the media and all the hype around it is what delaying this match. The promoters and the way they have handled things has made this fight complicated. What happen to the days when a both promoters get the signatures of their fighter, and then put together a contract they both agree on, then make the announcement?
Say what you want about Don King, I must admit, I can’t remember any of the big fights that he promoted in the past (and he’s promoted some big ones); go through this kind of behavior. This is ridiculous! These two fighters are in the position to take part in one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport, and they continue to drag their feet.
Marketing a fight is a good thing, but enough already… This fight doesn’t need anymore marketing. If it was a fruit it would have fallen off the tree already, “it can only get so ripe.” These two fighters are at the very top of their game right now and it would be sad to see this fight fall apart for a second time.
There should be no questions regarding the conditioning of these fighters come fight time, because neither fighter has showed problems in the past. Floyd Mayweather, JR., is undefeated as a boxer. He has beaten everyone who’s stepped in the ring with him. Winning is all he knows. Mayweather JR. is one of the smartest fighters in the ring today. He usually figures his opponent out within the first few rounds.
By the middle rounds, he starts to punish his opponents. It’s like watching something on the Discovery Channel. There are certain animals like the lion for instance. I’ve seen the lion catch its prey and not kill it right away. They seem to enjoy seeing their prey struggle first, before taking it out. Floyd Mayweather, JR., has displayed this type of embodiment in the ring against his opponents.
What makes Manny Pacquiao different from Mayweathers JR’s past opponens?
It is his will to win. He is a southpaw who is more skillful and hits harder than Zab Judah, the last southpaw Mayweather JR. faced. Judah gave Mayweather, JR., problems early in their fight. Manny Pacquiao has improved tremendously over the past few years. He brings everything he has, when he steps in the ring and lately, he’s been beating up elite fighters, left and right.
Fight fans already know if anyone out there who can give Floyd some problems or maybe even his first loss, is none other than Manny Pacquiao. That’s what makes this fight so exciting! Pacquiao has speed and power which keeps most of his opponents on their toes. He brings the fight to his opponents and once he gets into a rhythm he usually takes them out.
The biggest problem I see for Pacquiao, if and when this fight takes place is his defense. Well, some would say a good offense makes up for a bad defense, and in most cases this would be true, but not with Mayweather JR. No one knows how well their offense will work until in the ring with him. He is hard to hit clean. During the Shane Mosley fight back in early May; Mayweather JR. got hit clean in round two, but never hit clean again throughout the whole fight.
He has a way of making adjustments in the ring. If Pacquiao doesn’t move his head while fighting Floyd, he will get beaten badly. Trainer Freddie Roach better put in some serious work regarding the defense and head movement, because Floyd’s hands are lightening fast. He will not let Pacquiao get out a single round without tasting some leather. That’s the type of fighter he’s dealing with in “Money” Mayweather.
This fight can become very ugly going into the later rounds, if it ends up there. Floyd Mayweather JR. lives for big moments when he can shut up his haters. It’s these kinds of fights that he shows up very big, and usually wins by a large margin. As a boxing fan myself, I like both fighters and what they share alike is; they both seem to be great athletes who will put it all on the line to be known as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Tell me what individual would want to live his life 30 to 40 years from now, knowing that he walked away from what could have been the biggest fight in the history of boxing, only because there was a disagreement regarding random drug testing. It’s a given, either way these two names will forever be linked together, so why not give the boxing fans what they want and also pocket one of the biggest paychecks in the history of the sport?
Source: ringsidereport.com
We enjoy HBO Boxing, HBO Boxing After Dark, Showtime’s Super Six and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Some of these events were with the best fighters boxing has to offer, such as; Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, Andre Berto, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz, Joshua Clottey, Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather JR.
These fighters and there were some I didn’t mention here, have already fought in this first half of 2010. The sport is off to a good start. It seemed that most of the match ups went pretty well, even the negotiations.
Why is Floyd Mayweather JR. and Manny Pacquiao fight so complicated?
First of all, these two fighters are special, but human. Sometimes the bigger the demand, the more complicated it gets. The public has made these two special fighters immortals. To add to that, they know how important they are to boxing fans. Right now these two fighters are sitting at the very top of the world in boxing with their promoters strapped to their ankles.
Even though we have enjoyed some good fights this year, it seems the one everybody wants to see is Floyd “Money” Mayweather JR. vs. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. It seems the boxing public do not care what other good match ups are out there and I’m sure there are some. Right now it seems nothing can fill this void, except that fight. Fight fans are like junkies needing a fix when it comes to these guys. These two fighters know the magnitude of this fight and what it’s worth in dollars, which has somewhat made them gods.
They are so big that their promoters have very little power over them. Turn the calendar back five years and these two fighters were known only by boxing fans, now they are both household names. When you think of one, you automatically think of the other. That’s why this fight has to happen. They are forever linked together even if a fight never materializes.
I don’t believe either fighter is afraid of the other. Fighting is what they are trained to do, it’s their job. Some believe the media and all the hype around it is what delaying this match. The promoters and the way they have handled things has made this fight complicated. What happen to the days when a both promoters get the signatures of their fighter, and then put together a contract they both agree on, then make the announcement?
Say what you want about Don King, I must admit, I can’t remember any of the big fights that he promoted in the past (and he’s promoted some big ones); go through this kind of behavior. This is ridiculous! These two fighters are in the position to take part in one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport, and they continue to drag their feet.
Marketing a fight is a good thing, but enough already… This fight doesn’t need anymore marketing. If it was a fruit it would have fallen off the tree already, “it can only get so ripe.” These two fighters are at the very top of their game right now and it would be sad to see this fight fall apart for a second time.
There should be no questions regarding the conditioning of these fighters come fight time, because neither fighter has showed problems in the past. Floyd Mayweather, JR., is undefeated as a boxer. He has beaten everyone who’s stepped in the ring with him. Winning is all he knows. Mayweather JR. is one of the smartest fighters in the ring today. He usually figures his opponent out within the first few rounds.
By the middle rounds, he starts to punish his opponents. It’s like watching something on the Discovery Channel. There are certain animals like the lion for instance. I’ve seen the lion catch its prey and not kill it right away. They seem to enjoy seeing their prey struggle first, before taking it out. Floyd Mayweather, JR., has displayed this type of embodiment in the ring against his opponents.
What makes Manny Pacquiao different from Mayweathers JR’s past opponens?
It is his will to win. He is a southpaw who is more skillful and hits harder than Zab Judah, the last southpaw Mayweather JR. faced. Judah gave Mayweather, JR., problems early in their fight. Manny Pacquiao has improved tremendously over the past few years. He brings everything he has, when he steps in the ring and lately, he’s been beating up elite fighters, left and right.
Fight fans already know if anyone out there who can give Floyd some problems or maybe even his first loss, is none other than Manny Pacquiao. That’s what makes this fight so exciting! Pacquiao has speed and power which keeps most of his opponents on their toes. He brings the fight to his opponents and once he gets into a rhythm he usually takes them out.
The biggest problem I see for Pacquiao, if and when this fight takes place is his defense. Well, some would say a good offense makes up for a bad defense, and in most cases this would be true, but not with Mayweather JR. No one knows how well their offense will work until in the ring with him. He is hard to hit clean. During the Shane Mosley fight back in early May; Mayweather JR. got hit clean in round two, but never hit clean again throughout the whole fight.
He has a way of making adjustments in the ring. If Pacquiao doesn’t move his head while fighting Floyd, he will get beaten badly. Trainer Freddie Roach better put in some serious work regarding the defense and head movement, because Floyd’s hands are lightening fast. He will not let Pacquiao get out a single round without tasting some leather. That’s the type of fighter he’s dealing with in “Money” Mayweather.
This fight can become very ugly going into the later rounds, if it ends up there. Floyd Mayweather JR. lives for big moments when he can shut up his haters. It’s these kinds of fights that he shows up very big, and usually wins by a large margin. As a boxing fan myself, I like both fighters and what they share alike is; they both seem to be great athletes who will put it all on the line to be known as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Tell me what individual would want to live his life 30 to 40 years from now, knowing that he walked away from what could have been the biggest fight in the history of boxing, only because there was a disagreement regarding random drug testing. It’s a given, either way these two names will forever be linked together, so why not give the boxing fans what they want and also pocket one of the biggest paychecks in the history of the sport?
Source: ringsidereport.com
Pacquiao set to slug it out in Congress
MANILA, Philippines—The world’s best pound-for-pound boxer is raring to slug it out in the political arena where he promised to be vocal, productive and always present.
“For me, I don’t consider it as an achievement my election as a congressman. It is my ambition to help those who have long wanted to get help from government. It’s just like boxing, I dreamed of becoming a world champion. Now, my dream is to become a good public servant and good leader of Sarangani,” said Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao after attending a special orientation program for neophyte lawmakers Thursday.
Pacquiao said he had already expressed his interest in joining the House committees on sports and on energy and he was eager to join in on his debates or defending his bill in the session hall.
“I’m not nervous (about making a privilege speech or engaging peers in a debate), I’m even excited to represent my constituents because I don’t want to let down the people from Sarangani,” said Pacquiao.
Time management
He said it was important that he attend every session or have a full attendance sheet because this is what his constituents expected from him even though he would continue to pursue his boxing career.
“It’s just time management. I can’t turn my back on sports because that is the one which gave me my name and honor,” said Pacquiao.
With no final deal on the table for his next fight, Pacquiao said he was focused on living up to his duties as a representative, particularly the promises he made during the campaign.
“I really want to show everyone the right governance,” said Pacquiao who noted that his managers were hoping to put the finishing touches on his much-anticipated bout with American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“They’re just ironing out some things in the contract.”
Pacquiao hinted that his fight with Mayweather could be his last because he was really serious in making a good name in public service.
Political savvy
He admitted sheepishly that he would be earning more by fighting in the ring rather than being a representative. “Abonado nga ako. I am getting funds out of my own budget but that is okay. I really want to help,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao showed his political savvy when pressed on some issues that he would tackle as a lawmaker.
On the proposal to cut the pork barrel allocation, Pacquiao said it was difficult to make a decision on something that needed deeper study.
On the need of the government to impose new taxes to bridge the widening budget deficit, Pacquiao said he was all for it as long as it would help in uplifting the lives of Filipinos.
When he was reminded that “sin taxes” were likely to be the first tax measures to be pushed by the government and that San Miguel Beer was his biggest corporate sponsor, Pacquiao did not waver and quickly pointed out that he would still push for it if the majority of the people would benefit from the measure.
“We are just representatives of the people and we are thinking of what is good for the majority and not just what will benefit a few people,” said Pacquiao.
Source: inquirer.net
“For me, I don’t consider it as an achievement my election as a congressman. It is my ambition to help those who have long wanted to get help from government. It’s just like boxing, I dreamed of becoming a world champion. Now, my dream is to become a good public servant and good leader of Sarangani,” said Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao after attending a special orientation program for neophyte lawmakers Thursday.
Pacquiao said he had already expressed his interest in joining the House committees on sports and on energy and he was eager to join in on his debates or defending his bill in the session hall.
“I’m not nervous (about making a privilege speech or engaging peers in a debate), I’m even excited to represent my constituents because I don’t want to let down the people from Sarangani,” said Pacquiao.
Time management
He said it was important that he attend every session or have a full attendance sheet because this is what his constituents expected from him even though he would continue to pursue his boxing career.
“It’s just time management. I can’t turn my back on sports because that is the one which gave me my name and honor,” said Pacquiao.
With no final deal on the table for his next fight, Pacquiao said he was focused on living up to his duties as a representative, particularly the promises he made during the campaign.
“I really want to show everyone the right governance,” said Pacquiao who noted that his managers were hoping to put the finishing touches on his much-anticipated bout with American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“They’re just ironing out some things in the contract.”
Pacquiao hinted that his fight with Mayweather could be his last because he was really serious in making a good name in public service.
Political savvy
He admitted sheepishly that he would be earning more by fighting in the ring rather than being a representative. “Abonado nga ako. I am getting funds out of my own budget but that is okay. I really want to help,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao showed his political savvy when pressed on some issues that he would tackle as a lawmaker.
On the proposal to cut the pork barrel allocation, Pacquiao said it was difficult to make a decision on something that needed deeper study.
On the need of the government to impose new taxes to bridge the widening budget deficit, Pacquiao said he was all for it as long as it would help in uplifting the lives of Filipinos.
When he was reminded that “sin taxes” were likely to be the first tax measures to be pushed by the government and that San Miguel Beer was his biggest corporate sponsor, Pacquiao did not waver and quickly pointed out that he would still push for it if the majority of the people would benefit from the measure.
“We are just representatives of the people and we are thinking of what is good for the majority and not just what will benefit a few people,” said Pacquiao.
Source: inquirer.net
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Pacquiao won't entertain more demands from Floyd
MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said Saturday that the super fight between him and Floyd Mayweather Jr. now depends on the American boxer after he has agreed to undergo a blood test 14 days before their faceoff.
"Talagang hindi siya lalaban kung mangatwiran ulit siya," Pacquiao told radio dzMM when asked what he would do if Mayweather comes up with a new demand.
He said that if ever the superfight fails to push through, he may still fight another boxer or just retire and focus on his newfound career in politics.
Pacquiao has been proclaimed as winner in Sarangani Province's congressional race. He toppled a member of a powerful political clan in the province.
The Filipino boxer said he will take a 1-week crash course on public administration and governance at the University of the Philippines.
He said he is also determined to finish his business management course at the Notre Dame University in 2 years and then take up law.
Pacquiao clarified Friday that the blood that would extracted from him should only be minimal for the drug test.
“Pumayag naman ako pero hindi yung talagang maraming dugo na kukunin. Kung anong dugo ang kelangan sa drug test, ganoon lang karami. Fourteen days [before the fight],” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo.
Pacquiao said during the radio interview that he has yet to receive a feedback from the camp of Mayweather.
The reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion said he softened his stand after listening to boxing fans’ clamor for a mega fight between him and Mayweather.
“Everywhere I go… gusto talaga nila ng Mayweather fight. [They ask me] over and over,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao made the decision to fight the former pound-for-pound king weeks after he received permission from his mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, for one last bout.
The blood test controversy was the reason the negotiations between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps collapsed early this year.
The two would have fought last March 13, but Mayweather ended up fighting Shane Mosley and Pacquiao battling Ghana's Joshua Clottey.
Pacquiao’s camp earlier agreed to undergo tests 24 days before the fight, but Mayweather’s group insisted that blood should be taken 14 days prior to the fight.
Blood test as the drug protocol is the personal requirement for Mayweather. Athletic commissions require urine tests on boxers as the form of drug testing, and Pacquiao has never had a problem.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he learned the last day for blood testing used by Mayweather and "Sugar" Shane Mosley in their recent fight was 18 days prior to the fight.
"The USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) stopped the blood test... they took 5 or 6 tests but the last one was 18 days for Mosley and 19 days for Mayweather," he told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo in a phone interview.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
"Talagang hindi siya lalaban kung mangatwiran ulit siya," Pacquiao told radio dzMM when asked what he would do if Mayweather comes up with a new demand.
He said that if ever the superfight fails to push through, he may still fight another boxer or just retire and focus on his newfound career in politics.
Pacquiao has been proclaimed as winner in Sarangani Province's congressional race. He toppled a member of a powerful political clan in the province.
The Filipino boxer said he will take a 1-week crash course on public administration and governance at the University of the Philippines.
He said he is also determined to finish his business management course at the Notre Dame University in 2 years and then take up law.
Pacquiao clarified Friday that the blood that would extracted from him should only be minimal for the drug test.
“Pumayag naman ako pero hindi yung talagang maraming dugo na kukunin. Kung anong dugo ang kelangan sa drug test, ganoon lang karami. Fourteen days [before the fight],” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo.
Pacquiao said during the radio interview that he has yet to receive a feedback from the camp of Mayweather.
The reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion said he softened his stand after listening to boxing fans’ clamor for a mega fight between him and Mayweather.
“Everywhere I go… gusto talaga nila ng Mayweather fight. [They ask me] over and over,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao made the decision to fight the former pound-for-pound king weeks after he received permission from his mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, for one last bout.
The blood test controversy was the reason the negotiations between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps collapsed early this year.
The two would have fought last March 13, but Mayweather ended up fighting Shane Mosley and Pacquiao battling Ghana's Joshua Clottey.
Pacquiao’s camp earlier agreed to undergo tests 24 days before the fight, but Mayweather’s group insisted that blood should be taken 14 days prior to the fight.
Blood test as the drug protocol is the personal requirement for Mayweather. Athletic commissions require urine tests on boxers as the form of drug testing, and Pacquiao has never had a problem.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he learned the last day for blood testing used by Mayweather and "Sugar" Shane Mosley in their recent fight was 18 days prior to the fight.
"The USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) stopped the blood test... they took 5 or 6 tests but the last one was 18 days for Mosley and 19 days for Mayweather," he told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo in a phone interview.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
Pacman’s big plans
The candidate himself–Manny Pacquiao–was the least surprised over the outcome of the fight for the lone congressional seat of Sarangani. A week after being proclaimed winner over the heavily-favored Roy Chiongbian, Pacquiao said there was not even an iota of doubt in his mind that he would bounce back from the humiliation that he suffered in 2007. “I didn’t have doubts that I would win,” said the 31-year-old boxing star during a recent interview while he was shooting a commercial. “I was confident that I was going to conquer another world.”
Pacquiao credits his long-term preparation as key to his victory, a win that ranks alongside his 2008 knockout of the great Oscar De La Hoya.
“I lost in 2007 because I was not prepared. This time, I had everything in place and I showed the people of Sarangani that I will bring about change,” said Pacquiao, referring to his donation of firetrucks, hospital beds and other basic needs the last two years.
Pacquiao got 120,000 votes, while Chiongbian only earned half, something the one-time construction worker and vendor described as being “the voice of the people.”
“The people of Sarangani really wanted change,” said Pacquiao, who is eyeing a return to the ring on Nov. 13 either in Las Vegas or Dallas.
Since he will now be also working as a lawmaker, Pacquiao said he has decided to cut back on activities that are close to his heart.
Told about his perennial participation in big-time derbies, Pacquiao said he would still take part but will no longer immerse himself the way he used to.
“I will greatly reduce my participation in derbies and other things that give me joy. I now have two responsibilities,” said Pacquiao, stressing that quality healthcare and education and the welfare of athletes as tops in his priorities.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is hopeful that the Mayweather fight finally pushes through for November 13 “for the sake of the boxing fans from around the world.”
Pacquiao has agreed to be tested 14 days before the fight but Mayweather hasn’t come out with an official stand regarding Pacquiao’s bold move.
Source: fightnews.com
Pacquiao credits his long-term preparation as key to his victory, a win that ranks alongside his 2008 knockout of the great Oscar De La Hoya.
“I lost in 2007 because I was not prepared. This time, I had everything in place and I showed the people of Sarangani that I will bring about change,” said Pacquiao, referring to his donation of firetrucks, hospital beds and other basic needs the last two years.
Pacquiao got 120,000 votes, while Chiongbian only earned half, something the one-time construction worker and vendor described as being “the voice of the people.”
“The people of Sarangani really wanted change,” said Pacquiao, who is eyeing a return to the ring on Nov. 13 either in Las Vegas or Dallas.
Since he will now be also working as a lawmaker, Pacquiao said he has decided to cut back on activities that are close to his heart.
Told about his perennial participation in big-time derbies, Pacquiao said he would still take part but will no longer immerse himself the way he used to.
“I will greatly reduce my participation in derbies and other things that give me joy. I now have two responsibilities,” said Pacquiao, stressing that quality healthcare and education and the welfare of athletes as tops in his priorities.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is hopeful that the Mayweather fight finally pushes through for November 13 “for the sake of the boxing fans from around the world.”
Pacquiao has agreed to be tested 14 days before the fight but Mayweather hasn’t come out with an official stand regarding Pacquiao’s bold move.
Source: fightnews.com
Mayweather-Mosley test dates revealed
The United States Anti-Doping Agency confirmed Friday that the final blood sample taken from Shane Mosley was April 12 and the final one taken from Floyd Mayweather was April 13 as part of their agreement to undergo random, Olympic-style testing prior to their May 1 welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas.
Mayweather won the fight by a wide unanimous decision. Each man was tested seven times prior to the fight and then again on the night of the fight by USADA, which will retain their samples for future testing. Each of the eight tests included required the fighters to provide urine samples; they were required to give blood four times.
Mayweather gave blood and urine on March 22, April 1, April 13 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on April 3, April 6, April 21 and April 24.
Mosley gave blood and urine on March 23, March 31, April 12 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on March 29, April 7, April 20 and April 26.
The news of the date of the final pre-fight blood draw – 18 days before the fight, in Mayweather’s case – might give hope to fans who want to see a bout between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
An attempt to make the fight for March 13 failed when they couldn’t come to terms over Mayweather’s demand for random testing.
In a story written Thursday by Nick Giongco in the Manila Bulletin, Pacquiao said he would agree to a test as late as 14 days prior to a Mayweather bout provided they weren’t taking large samples.
“As long as they’re not getting a large amount of blood, I am willing to give out blood as close to two weeks before the fight,” Pacquiao told Giongco.
But if you’re thinking that concession will lead to Pacquiao vs Mayweather on Nov. 13, slow down. There is a big difference between what Pacquiao told Giongco he’d agree to and what Mayweather and Mosley did, said Travis Tygart, the chief executive officer of USADA.
“That totally misses the point,” Tygart said of the reaction some may have upon hearing of Pacquiao’s concession and the timing of Mayweather’s last blood test. “If you know you aren’t going to be tested within the last 14 days, you can cheat and get away with it. It is our right to test at any time, 30 days before the fight, 20 days before, the week of, the morning of – that provides the deterrent. If you block out a period of time and say we can’t test during that period, then an athlete could cheat and get away with it.”
Tygart praised Mayweather and Mosley and said they fully embraced the program. They were, he said, “consummate professionals throughout the entire process.”
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, still believes a 14-day cutoff is reasonable.
“Fourteen days should give them plenty of time to do what they need to do, especially in light of what they did with Mayweather and Mosley,” Arum said.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said he doesn’t understand why a fuss would be made over the time of Mayweather’s final blood test. Ellerbe said Mayweather boxed at least 11 rounds, and as many as 14, after three of the blood draws.
“Random is random,” he said. “It could be at any time. That’s what random means. I will say this: If and when Floyd Mayweather decides to fight again, random blood and urine testing will be part of it. Period.”
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said he heard no complaints from either fighter about the testing program, terming it an unqualified success. Schaefer said he hoped that boxing promoters and other stakeholders could get together and adopt a plan under which similar testing would become a regular part of the sport.
“I’m not a drug-testing expert and I’ve never put together a testing program protocol, but where there is a will, there is a way,” Schaefer said. “Our interest as promoters should be to have a clean sport. At the end of the day, this is protecting our fighters and doing something positive for the sport.
Source: yahoo.com
Mayweather won the fight by a wide unanimous decision. Each man was tested seven times prior to the fight and then again on the night of the fight by USADA, which will retain their samples for future testing. Each of the eight tests included required the fighters to provide urine samples; they were required to give blood four times.
Mayweather gave blood and urine on March 22, April 1, April 13 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on April 3, April 6, April 21 and April 24.
Mosley gave blood and urine on March 23, March 31, April 12 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on March 29, April 7, April 20 and April 26.
The news of the date of the final pre-fight blood draw – 18 days before the fight, in Mayweather’s case – might give hope to fans who want to see a bout between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
An attempt to make the fight for March 13 failed when they couldn’t come to terms over Mayweather’s demand for random testing.
In a story written Thursday by Nick Giongco in the Manila Bulletin, Pacquiao said he would agree to a test as late as 14 days prior to a Mayweather bout provided they weren’t taking large samples.
“As long as they’re not getting a large amount of blood, I am willing to give out blood as close to two weeks before the fight,” Pacquiao told Giongco.
But if you’re thinking that concession will lead to Pacquiao vs Mayweather on Nov. 13, slow down. There is a big difference between what Pacquiao told Giongco he’d agree to and what Mayweather and Mosley did, said Travis Tygart, the chief executive officer of USADA.
“That totally misses the point,” Tygart said of the reaction some may have upon hearing of Pacquiao’s concession and the timing of Mayweather’s last blood test. “If you know you aren’t going to be tested within the last 14 days, you can cheat and get away with it. It is our right to test at any time, 30 days before the fight, 20 days before, the week of, the morning of – that provides the deterrent. If you block out a period of time and say we can’t test during that period, then an athlete could cheat and get away with it.”
Tygart praised Mayweather and Mosley and said they fully embraced the program. They were, he said, “consummate professionals throughout the entire process.”
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, still believes a 14-day cutoff is reasonable.
“Fourteen days should give them plenty of time to do what they need to do, especially in light of what they did with Mayweather and Mosley,” Arum said.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said he doesn’t understand why a fuss would be made over the time of Mayweather’s final blood test. Ellerbe said Mayweather boxed at least 11 rounds, and as many as 14, after three of the blood draws.
“Random is random,” he said. “It could be at any time. That’s what random means. I will say this: If and when Floyd Mayweather decides to fight again, random blood and urine testing will be part of it. Period.”
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said he heard no complaints from either fighter about the testing program, terming it an unqualified success. Schaefer said he hoped that boxing promoters and other stakeholders could get together and adopt a plan under which similar testing would become a regular part of the sport.
“I’m not a drug-testing expert and I’ve never put together a testing program protocol, but where there is a will, there is a way,” Schaefer said. “Our interest as promoters should be to have a clean sport. At the end of the day, this is protecting our fighters and doing something positive for the sport.
Source: yahoo.com
Thursday, May 13, 2010
BOB ARUM - Pacquiao vs Mayweather this November
BOB ARUM: I am back from one of the most exciting trips of my life and one of the most fulfilling trips. I am thinking now whether to pack it in as a boxing promoter and be a political consultant…but only in the Philippines and around the world. I don’t think there is anything more exciting and more interesting than politics and I really have to compliment Manny. People don’t realize that this victory over the candidate that he beat was a tremendous upset that very few people expected him to pull off. His opponent’s family holds all of the major businesses in this province. All the mayors and the congressman in the province are either related to this family belong to the family or are associates of the family. Manny Pacquiao was running against the elder son of the family and they hadn’t been defeated and won overwhelmingly in every election for 25 years. Manny Pacquiao is a fighter and with his grit and determination was not only able to win but to win by a landslide.
It reminded me of when he was fighting Oscar De La Hoya and all the boxing writers said we should be ashamed of ourselves because it was a mismatch and De La Hoya would destroy him. It was a mismatch but it was a mismatch the other way with Manny destroying De La Hoya. This was the same thing. Everybody said he was crazy, spending his own money. In certain precincts, Manny was beating this guy 90-10 and in other precincts 70-30 and when the dust settled, Manny will win by about a 3/1 margin. Manny is so humble and so soft spoken, you think, how can he be a politician? Then you go to his rally, and you hear him speak in the native dialect and he gives a rousing speech that brings the crowd to its feet. It is tremendous to hear him speak even though you don’t even understand a word. Something else that I learned – there are 7 dialects in the Philippines and Manny can speak every one of them.
Some of the reporters over there, who understand English, don’t even understand some of the dialects. I’m pumped up. When he’s 35 he can run for Senate, and when he’s 40, I am sure he’ll be President of the Philippines. He is special and we in boxing are lucky to have him be part of the sport.
Where do we stand with Manny’s next fight?
BOB ARUM: Manny is definitely going to fight in November. It’s amazing how many people came up to me as I was leaving the Philippines and asked me when is the Mayweather fight going to happen. That’s the fight people want to see. That’s the fight that I’m going to do my darndest to make happen. I don’t want to discuss any of the issues involved in making that fight because we are going to be involved in negotiations and my first goal and Manny’s first goal is to make that fight happen. But we are not going to negotiate this thing in the press, because given the egos of all the camps, it would never happen.
Did you discuss boxing at all with Manny?
BOB ARUM: Obviously, everybody was consumed with politics. But we did a lot of rallies, held on big stages, and before they get to Manny all the other politicians would speak. But we did discuss what we would do next.
What does Manny want to do next?
BOB ARUM: It’s the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight. There is no question that is the fight that the public wants and that is the fight that Manny wants. I am not going to go into any details of our discussion only to say that is the case.
How do you engage with the other side?
BOB ARUM: I don’t want to get into that, only to say that there is a plan. I don’t want to get into what’s happening but there are things happening on the ground.
Do you think his political career will affect his boxing?
BOB ARUM: As far as psychological make-up I really can’t answer that. Let me again go through what I believe his duties will entail and how it will blend with boxing. A Congressman in the Philippines, especially one that is elected in a province has responsibilities over and above that of a congressman in the United States. By that I mean the federal government allocates the money to him that goes to the province. He in turn must allocate that money to various towns and mayors and so forth and that is a pretty big responsibility. He also has to attend sessions of congress, but that I believe is not time consuming. The sessions are not particularly lengthy. There will be a session in July then they are off for a few months. When he is training, he runs in the morning then sleeps then trains in the gym and then eats dinner then he has all this free time – that you see on 24/7. He’s around with his people. A lot of that free time will now be devoted to his people. I think that will be better, because there will be less wasted time that there appears to be now. There will be plenty of time to do his politics when he is in training and when he is out of training. The one activity I know it will affect is his playing billiards. He devotes a lot of time to playing billiards. I don’t see where his political responsibilities will affect how he prepares for fights, but we have to be aware of what those responsibilities are.
When do you plan to initiate contact with the Mayweather camp?
BOB ARUM: I would rather not comment on that. Just to say I have my marching orders and it will be sooner rather than later.
Do you expect Dallas to be interested?
BOB ARUM: Yes, I think the two sites we would be looking at are the same two sites, the MGM and Cowboys Stadium. Jerry is certainly interested and so is the MGM Grand. If the fight happens and I hope it will, in mid-November in one of those two places.
Do you think media reports affected negotiations in a bad way?
BOB ARUM: Absolutely. Once you start negotiating through the media, it becomes ego driven. People can’t wait to give a statement to the press. The flames just shoot up and there is no real opportunity for rational behavior to take over. Everyone is so interested is setting forth his position to the media that it becomes the contest. That involves me as well as everybody else.
Did you reserve specific dates?
BOB ARUM: Yes, November 13. November 6 would be reserved, but that is not as good a date because No. 1, I think the baseball World Series could possibly go that late and there is also question of the election. There is a big senatorial and congressional election.
Do you have reason to believe either side has softened its stance?
BOB ARUM: A negotiation is a negotiation. A lot of nice things happen if people negotiate in good faith and people want something good to happen and negotiate without going through the media. So let’s see what happens.
Could we bring the fighters to the table?
BOB ARUM: My guy is too busy with his congressional duties to do that. That’s why he has to delegate these things. The answer is he couldn’t do it. He doesn’t have the time to do it. He is not a congressman like the U.S. Congressman, he will get an allocation of millions of dollars of American money and he has to allocate to hospitals, schools, municipalities. To sit and spend time negotiation a fight is not something that’s productive. But he does have time to train and perform his best for a fight.
Do you think Manny will move on the drug questions?
BOB ARUM: I am not going to discuss through the media. I understand you need to ask the question, but I am not going to answer because that starts the negotiation in the media.
Did he say he only wants to fight one more time?
BOB ARUM: He discussed it but I’m not going to say what the answer is. It was told to me in confidence and I’m not at liberty to say. My belief is, based on my conversations with him, he will engage in probably 3 more fights.
Is your marriage with Dallas something that you are willing to let go?
BOB ARUM: First of all, I’m not married to Dallas. I’m a Giants fan, not even a Cowboys fan but I love Jerry Jones but I am not going to advocate putting any fight of Manny’s unless it makes the most sense. That’s not necessarily Dallas.
Is the lawsuit still in play?
BOB ARUM: Not in play, but the lawsuit is still being actively pursued.
Is this the biggest fight that boxing has ever seen?
BOB ARUM: Ever is a hard word. You are comparing different eras. There is no fight in my time that is equally anticipated as the first Ali-Frazer fight. But electronically, it was like the dark ages when we look back on it. There was no PPV, no satellite and so forth. Moving on, when Leonard and Duran fought. That was a huge fight. Leonard was on the cover of Newsweek which was a very big thing then and that was anticipated. And Leonard-Hearns. This fight in this era is probably the most anticipated fight and probably if it happens, will do the most dollar business. It is a different dollar now than it was then, and secondly it is not a fair comparison because electronically we can do so much more, not only in the U.S. but also around the world. We have all these PPV homes in the U.S. and in England, Canada, Puerto Rico…Philippines…all over. It’s THE FIGHT, that people want to watch. Getting on the plane in Manila, Going through that airport, hundreds of people came up to me and asked “is the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight going to happen? That’s the fight people want to see, there is no question a bout it.
BOB ARUM: I have no idea whether it is going to happen or not. Anybody that believes that the fight should happen should bet with Kevin Iole who doesn’t think the fight is going to happen. I don’t know.
Does the lawsuit become a deal breaker?
BOB ARUM: All these issues are on the table and they will be negotiated and nothing cannot be discussed.
If this fight doesn’t happen do you turn to Margarito?
BOB ARUM: California does not have to license him and obviously if we went to a Margarito fight he would apply for the license in the state he would fight in next, whether that would be Nevada or Texas, I would expect a good result.
Why is a stadium important?
BOB ARUM: Stadiums are important to boxing because it enables the most possible people to watch the event and that helps deal with the popularity of the sport. It’s not unique to boxing. Look at the Final Four, all now take place in massive venues and the reason is they can accommodate more people at a better price for the fans. I’m not the genius that figured this out. I’m just going along with what seems to be common sense. If you want your product seen by the most people you have to put it in the biggest venue.
What would this fight mean to you?
BOB ARUM: It would be great but there are other things other than fights. My great dream is to still be around to be at the inauguration of Manny Pacquiao of President of the Philippines. That would be the greatest achievement in my career. But that fight would be one of the greatest experiences in my career.
BOB ARUM: I think the person that lost is going to cooperate with Manny because it would be in their best interests to do that. I know that flying home from General Santos to Manila, I happened to be seated next to the candidate’s brother-in-law and he couldn’t have been more gracious in congratulating him.
Are you going to argue over the shape of the table?
BOB ARUM: No, I think we have moved on from that and I’m very optimistic that once we start we will conclude this time. I have to get on with it because I have another big campaign coming up. I feel very James Carville-like and have to make sure that my guy Harry Reid gets re-elected.
Have you been re-energized?
BOB ARUM: That is exactly what happened. It turned back the clock. I was checking on the precincts and the Philippines. I was amazed how I got into this and some of these discussions we were having. I really think that maybe more than a boxing promoter, my calling was as a politician or an operative. Manny will be in New York and will be at the Boxing Writers Awards dinner on June 4 and the Yankee Stadium fight on June 5. By the way, when we did another media tour we stopped in San Francisco and Manny threw out the first pitch to the Cy Young winner Lincicum and he said Manny threw a really good pitch.
If you can’t make this fight, is the back-up plan to fight in Dallas?
BOB ARUM: I can’t say that now but why not? I can’t look at that now. I thought you were going to ask whom he would fight, but the number one guy would be Margarito.
He was originally on the undercard of the Clottey fight, what happened?
BOB ARUM: We needed to have a hearing to get him licensed in Texas and we didn’t have enough time. We’d have to have a hearing, but we have time now.
* * *
BOB ARUM: On June 30, Manny will be sworn into office and we are planning to do a worldwide telecast of the swearing in. These are very exciting times. When he knew that he won the election, he told me two things. It made him so happy, even more than the big victories in the ring. And secondly he said something that really touched me. He said, “Bob, I am so proud of what I have accomplished. When someone says that, you know it was a life-long dream of his. He pulled it off and I am so happy for him. I have never seen anything like it and to me it is the pinnacle.
Source: fightnews.com
It reminded me of when he was fighting Oscar De La Hoya and all the boxing writers said we should be ashamed of ourselves because it was a mismatch and De La Hoya would destroy him. It was a mismatch but it was a mismatch the other way with Manny destroying De La Hoya. This was the same thing. Everybody said he was crazy, spending his own money. In certain precincts, Manny was beating this guy 90-10 and in other precincts 70-30 and when the dust settled, Manny will win by about a 3/1 margin. Manny is so humble and so soft spoken, you think, how can he be a politician? Then you go to his rally, and you hear him speak in the native dialect and he gives a rousing speech that brings the crowd to its feet. It is tremendous to hear him speak even though you don’t even understand a word. Something else that I learned – there are 7 dialects in the Philippines and Manny can speak every one of them.
Some of the reporters over there, who understand English, don’t even understand some of the dialects. I’m pumped up. When he’s 35 he can run for Senate, and when he’s 40, I am sure he’ll be President of the Philippines. He is special and we in boxing are lucky to have him be part of the sport.
Where do we stand with Manny’s next fight?
BOB ARUM: Manny is definitely going to fight in November. It’s amazing how many people came up to me as I was leaving the Philippines and asked me when is the Mayweather fight going to happen. That’s the fight people want to see. That’s the fight that I’m going to do my darndest to make happen. I don’t want to discuss any of the issues involved in making that fight because we are going to be involved in negotiations and my first goal and Manny’s first goal is to make that fight happen. But we are not going to negotiate this thing in the press, because given the egos of all the camps, it would never happen.
Did you discuss boxing at all with Manny?
BOB ARUM: Obviously, everybody was consumed with politics. But we did a lot of rallies, held on big stages, and before they get to Manny all the other politicians would speak. But we did discuss what we would do next.
What does Manny want to do next?
BOB ARUM: It’s the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight. There is no question that is the fight that the public wants and that is the fight that Manny wants. I am not going to go into any details of our discussion only to say that is the case.
How do you engage with the other side?
BOB ARUM: I don’t want to get into that, only to say that there is a plan. I don’t want to get into what’s happening but there are things happening on the ground.
Do you think his political career will affect his boxing?
BOB ARUM: As far as psychological make-up I really can’t answer that. Let me again go through what I believe his duties will entail and how it will blend with boxing. A Congressman in the Philippines, especially one that is elected in a province has responsibilities over and above that of a congressman in the United States. By that I mean the federal government allocates the money to him that goes to the province. He in turn must allocate that money to various towns and mayors and so forth and that is a pretty big responsibility. He also has to attend sessions of congress, but that I believe is not time consuming. The sessions are not particularly lengthy. There will be a session in July then they are off for a few months. When he is training, he runs in the morning then sleeps then trains in the gym and then eats dinner then he has all this free time – that you see on 24/7. He’s around with his people. A lot of that free time will now be devoted to his people. I think that will be better, because there will be less wasted time that there appears to be now. There will be plenty of time to do his politics when he is in training and when he is out of training. The one activity I know it will affect is his playing billiards. He devotes a lot of time to playing billiards. I don’t see where his political responsibilities will affect how he prepares for fights, but we have to be aware of what those responsibilities are.
When do you plan to initiate contact with the Mayweather camp?
BOB ARUM: I would rather not comment on that. Just to say I have my marching orders and it will be sooner rather than later.
Do you expect Dallas to be interested?
BOB ARUM: Yes, I think the two sites we would be looking at are the same two sites, the MGM and Cowboys Stadium. Jerry is certainly interested and so is the MGM Grand. If the fight happens and I hope it will, in mid-November in one of those two places.
Do you think media reports affected negotiations in a bad way?
BOB ARUM: Absolutely. Once you start negotiating through the media, it becomes ego driven. People can’t wait to give a statement to the press. The flames just shoot up and there is no real opportunity for rational behavior to take over. Everyone is so interested is setting forth his position to the media that it becomes the contest. That involves me as well as everybody else.
Did you reserve specific dates?
BOB ARUM: Yes, November 13. November 6 would be reserved, but that is not as good a date because No. 1, I think the baseball World Series could possibly go that late and there is also question of the election. There is a big senatorial and congressional election.
Do you have reason to believe either side has softened its stance?
BOB ARUM: A negotiation is a negotiation. A lot of nice things happen if people negotiate in good faith and people want something good to happen and negotiate without going through the media. So let’s see what happens.
Could we bring the fighters to the table?
BOB ARUM: My guy is too busy with his congressional duties to do that. That’s why he has to delegate these things. The answer is he couldn’t do it. He doesn’t have the time to do it. He is not a congressman like the U.S. Congressman, he will get an allocation of millions of dollars of American money and he has to allocate to hospitals, schools, municipalities. To sit and spend time negotiation a fight is not something that’s productive. But he does have time to train and perform his best for a fight.
Do you think Manny will move on the drug questions?
BOB ARUM: I am not going to discuss through the media. I understand you need to ask the question, but I am not going to answer because that starts the negotiation in the media.
Did he say he only wants to fight one more time?
BOB ARUM: He discussed it but I’m not going to say what the answer is. It was told to me in confidence and I’m not at liberty to say. My belief is, based on my conversations with him, he will engage in probably 3 more fights.
Is your marriage with Dallas something that you are willing to let go?
BOB ARUM: First of all, I’m not married to Dallas. I’m a Giants fan, not even a Cowboys fan but I love Jerry Jones but I am not going to advocate putting any fight of Manny’s unless it makes the most sense. That’s not necessarily Dallas.
Is the lawsuit still in play?
BOB ARUM: Not in play, but the lawsuit is still being actively pursued.
Is this the biggest fight that boxing has ever seen?
BOB ARUM: Ever is a hard word. You are comparing different eras. There is no fight in my time that is equally anticipated as the first Ali-Frazer fight. But electronically, it was like the dark ages when we look back on it. There was no PPV, no satellite and so forth. Moving on, when Leonard and Duran fought. That was a huge fight. Leonard was on the cover of Newsweek which was a very big thing then and that was anticipated. And Leonard-Hearns. This fight in this era is probably the most anticipated fight and probably if it happens, will do the most dollar business. It is a different dollar now than it was then, and secondly it is not a fair comparison because electronically we can do so much more, not only in the U.S. but also around the world. We have all these PPV homes in the U.S. and in England, Canada, Puerto Rico…Philippines…all over. It’s THE FIGHT, that people want to watch. Getting on the plane in Manila, Going through that airport, hundreds of people came up to me and asked “is the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight going to happen? That’s the fight people want to see, there is no question a bout it.
BOB ARUM: I have no idea whether it is going to happen or not. Anybody that believes that the fight should happen should bet with Kevin Iole who doesn’t think the fight is going to happen. I don’t know.
Does the lawsuit become a deal breaker?
BOB ARUM: All these issues are on the table and they will be negotiated and nothing cannot be discussed.
If this fight doesn’t happen do you turn to Margarito?
BOB ARUM: California does not have to license him and obviously if we went to a Margarito fight he would apply for the license in the state he would fight in next, whether that would be Nevada or Texas, I would expect a good result.
Why is a stadium important?
BOB ARUM: Stadiums are important to boxing because it enables the most possible people to watch the event and that helps deal with the popularity of the sport. It’s not unique to boxing. Look at the Final Four, all now take place in massive venues and the reason is they can accommodate more people at a better price for the fans. I’m not the genius that figured this out. I’m just going along with what seems to be common sense. If you want your product seen by the most people you have to put it in the biggest venue.
What would this fight mean to you?
BOB ARUM: It would be great but there are other things other than fights. My great dream is to still be around to be at the inauguration of Manny Pacquiao of President of the Philippines. That would be the greatest achievement in my career. But that fight would be one of the greatest experiences in my career.
BOB ARUM: I think the person that lost is going to cooperate with Manny because it would be in their best interests to do that. I know that flying home from General Santos to Manila, I happened to be seated next to the candidate’s brother-in-law and he couldn’t have been more gracious in congratulating him.
Are you going to argue over the shape of the table?
BOB ARUM: No, I think we have moved on from that and I’m very optimistic that once we start we will conclude this time. I have to get on with it because I have another big campaign coming up. I feel very James Carville-like and have to make sure that my guy Harry Reid gets re-elected.
Have you been re-energized?
BOB ARUM: That is exactly what happened. It turned back the clock. I was checking on the precincts and the Philippines. I was amazed how I got into this and some of these discussions we were having. I really think that maybe more than a boxing promoter, my calling was as a politician or an operative. Manny will be in New York and will be at the Boxing Writers Awards dinner on June 4 and the Yankee Stadium fight on June 5. By the way, when we did another media tour we stopped in San Francisco and Manny threw out the first pitch to the Cy Young winner Lincicum and he said Manny threw a really good pitch.
If you can’t make this fight, is the back-up plan to fight in Dallas?
BOB ARUM: I can’t say that now but why not? I can’t look at that now. I thought you were going to ask whom he would fight, but the number one guy would be Margarito.
He was originally on the undercard of the Clottey fight, what happened?
BOB ARUM: We needed to have a hearing to get him licensed in Texas and we didn’t have enough time. We’d have to have a hearing, but we have time now.
* * *
BOB ARUM: On June 30, Manny will be sworn into office and we are planning to do a worldwide telecast of the swearing in. These are very exciting times. When he knew that he won the election, he told me two things. It made him so happy, even more than the big victories in the ring. And secondly he said something that really touched me. He said, “Bob, I am so proud of what I have accomplished. When someone says that, you know it was a life-long dream of his. He pulled it off and I am so happy for him. I have never seen anything like it and to me it is the pinnacle.
Source: fightnews.com
Sunday, May 9, 2010
No More Bull, Give us the fight we want Pacquiao vs. Mayweather
By George Napier: Like many fans across the globe, I have become sick and tired of the whole Pacquiao vs Mayweather facade. It’s time this fight was made; or for both fighters to disappear, because frankly there are no other fighters out there for either man.
Both have fought their way to a position where nothing else matters, they both reside #1 and #2 in both the welterweight and pound for pound rankings; so anything less is simply not good enough. I’m not interested in seeing either fighter face off against a fighter making the transition from light-welterweight, neither am I interested in witnessing either man take on a soft touch at light middleweight; to win yet another phoney title.
Fans, or should I sat worshipers of both fighters need to seriously take a reality check; I myself am a fan of the sport of boxing and not any one particular fighter. Yes, I like and appreciate certain styles, but that’s where the buck stops. However, when it comes to some fans of these two fighters it’s like they worship the man, and not the sport.
The sad thing about this is they probably don’t even realise they are being ripped-off. Let’s start with Pacquiao’s last fight, anyone who knows anyone who actually picked Clottey to win please let me know, because of all the fans I interact with on social networking sites and boxing forums I never did come across anyone who picked the Ghanaian to win. Is this really, what we want form a pound for pound fighter, facing off against someone whom no-one gives a chance. In truth the bout was a facade and the smokescreen was the venue in where the bout was staged, the Cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas, it was the venue, the event as a whole we looked forward to and not the fight.
So rather than both sets of fans throwing verbal assaults at each other why not be more constructive by openly criticising both fighters.
Drug Testing
In my opinion, camp Mayweather’s approach was all wrong, if they handled it in a different manor and put the proposal forward as a request rather than a demand we could have ended up with a different outcome. Voices from the camp openly expressed their views and literally accused Manny Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs. This accusation added a completely new dimension to the negotiations, instead of both agreeing to clean up the sport and to undergo stringent testing, they found additional problems with the defamation of character citations that followed.
Photo By Yehoshua Rey
I find it hard to criticise a man who is trying to clean up the sport, yes, we can question the motives behind this stance, but when it’s all said and done if it results in the implementation of more stringent testing through the sport, I don’t really care about the motives.
Now it’s a matter of principle, was Pacquiao right to walk away from the fight, I don’t think so; and let me tell you why. This is the sport of boxing where most opponents through the history of the sport have tried underhand tactics including slander to get under the skin of their opponent. There is also the persona projected by Pacquiao, Pacquiao is regarded the peoples champion, a man fighting for a nation and a higher cause; giving his fellow countrymen hope and inspiration. (We don’t need to even mention Mayweather in this segment as he openly admits he fights for money).
So if you were fighting for a nation and the people would you not do anything to give the fans the fight they want, would such a man not walk through walls to give the fans the fight they crave?
Example: Willie Pep was Featherweight Champion and widely regarded as the peoples champion in 1947. On January 5th, 1947, Pep was in a small plane that overshot Newark Airport and landed in nearby woods killing 5 people. Pep had 2 broken vertebrae as well as a broken leg; Doctors told him he would never fight again. He was in a cast until June, and incredibly several days after the cast was removed with little, training or preparation he returned to the ring on June 17th and won a tenth round decision, his opponent Victor Flores was sent to the canvas twice during the fight.
Will o' the Wisp went on to compile ten fights through 1947. That’s what you call a peoples champion. People say Pep was never the same after the crash; he lost something as a fighter. Before the plane crash, Pep had a record of 108-1-1, and retired almost 20 years after the crash with a record of 229-11-1, testament to a great fighter and a great champion.
Source: theboxinghistorian.com
Both have fought their way to a position where nothing else matters, they both reside #1 and #2 in both the welterweight and pound for pound rankings; so anything less is simply not good enough. I’m not interested in seeing either fighter face off against a fighter making the transition from light-welterweight, neither am I interested in witnessing either man take on a soft touch at light middleweight; to win yet another phoney title.
Fans, or should I sat worshipers of both fighters need to seriously take a reality check; I myself am a fan of the sport of boxing and not any one particular fighter. Yes, I like and appreciate certain styles, but that’s where the buck stops. However, when it comes to some fans of these two fighters it’s like they worship the man, and not the sport.
The sad thing about this is they probably don’t even realise they are being ripped-off. Let’s start with Pacquiao’s last fight, anyone who knows anyone who actually picked Clottey to win please let me know, because of all the fans I interact with on social networking sites and boxing forums I never did come across anyone who picked the Ghanaian to win. Is this really, what we want form a pound for pound fighter, facing off against someone whom no-one gives a chance. In truth the bout was a facade and the smokescreen was the venue in where the bout was staged, the Cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas, it was the venue, the event as a whole we looked forward to and not the fight.
So rather than both sets of fans throwing verbal assaults at each other why not be more constructive by openly criticising both fighters.
Drug Testing
In my opinion, camp Mayweather’s approach was all wrong, if they handled it in a different manor and put the proposal forward as a request rather than a demand we could have ended up with a different outcome. Voices from the camp openly expressed their views and literally accused Manny Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs. This accusation added a completely new dimension to the negotiations, instead of both agreeing to clean up the sport and to undergo stringent testing, they found additional problems with the defamation of character citations that followed.
Photo By Yehoshua Rey
I find it hard to criticise a man who is trying to clean up the sport, yes, we can question the motives behind this stance, but when it’s all said and done if it results in the implementation of more stringent testing through the sport, I don’t really care about the motives.
Now it’s a matter of principle, was Pacquiao right to walk away from the fight, I don’t think so; and let me tell you why. This is the sport of boxing where most opponents through the history of the sport have tried underhand tactics including slander to get under the skin of their opponent. There is also the persona projected by Pacquiao, Pacquiao is regarded the peoples champion, a man fighting for a nation and a higher cause; giving his fellow countrymen hope and inspiration. (We don’t need to even mention Mayweather in this segment as he openly admits he fights for money).
So if you were fighting for a nation and the people would you not do anything to give the fans the fight they want, would such a man not walk through walls to give the fans the fight they crave?
Example: Willie Pep was Featherweight Champion and widely regarded as the peoples champion in 1947. On January 5th, 1947, Pep was in a small plane that overshot Newark Airport and landed in nearby woods killing 5 people. Pep had 2 broken vertebrae as well as a broken leg; Doctors told him he would never fight again. He was in a cast until June, and incredibly several days after the cast was removed with little, training or preparation he returned to the ring on June 17th and won a tenth round decision, his opponent Victor Flores was sent to the canvas twice during the fight.
Will o' the Wisp went on to compile ten fights through 1947. That’s what you call a peoples champion. People say Pep was never the same after the crash; he lost something as a fighter. Before the plane crash, Pep had a record of 108-1-1, and retired almost 20 years after the crash with a record of 229-11-1, testament to a great fighter and a great champion.
Source: theboxinghistorian.com
Sugar Ray: Mayweather vs Pacman inevitable
MANILA, Philippines - It’s a toss-up between two pound-for-pound champions who just can’t get it done in the ring.
Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the great boxers of all time, said it would be too close to call if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever get to face each other.
“It’s a toss-up, a pick-’em fight,” Leonard, who with Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns formed of the Fab Four of the 1980s, told the Grand Rapids Press.
The big question, however, is if the fight that the entire planet wants to see would ever happen.
There’s a big disagreement regarding the drug-testing procedure, and it’s so big that the fight that should decide who the greatest boxer of this era truly is might never take place.
Pacquiao is against Mayweather’s call for random blood testing Olympic-style, one that would require probably a dozen tests in the months, weeks, days or hours before the fight.
Pacquiao said Mayweather knows how he hates the drawing of blood close to a fight, and the Filipino icon said it’s Mayweather’s way of dodging the fight, his only way out of it.
On the other side of the coin, Mayweather’s father said the fight would never ever happen because Pacquiao wouldn’t take the test. All along, he had doubts if Pacquiao is into performance-enhancing drugs.
But Leonard insists that the fight should happen, probably with or without the blood tests.
“The fight has to happen,” Leonard told David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press, adding that it would be a big disappointment if Pacquiao and Mayweather end up hanging up their gloves without fighting each other.
“They both are letting people call them pound-for-pound. They both are considered pound-for-pound right now. They’ve got to fight each other to prove who’s the best, pound-for-pound – fact.
“It’s about the money, because boxing’s a business. But also, if you want to be considered one of those guys, you’ve got to put up. That’s a fight that appears to be inevitable at some point in time, hopefully sooner than later,” Leonard said.
Sooner perhaps.
Source: philstar.com
Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the great boxers of all time, said it would be too close to call if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever get to face each other.
“It’s a toss-up, a pick-’em fight,” Leonard, who with Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns formed of the Fab Four of the 1980s, told the Grand Rapids Press.
The big question, however, is if the fight that the entire planet wants to see would ever happen.
There’s a big disagreement regarding the drug-testing procedure, and it’s so big that the fight that should decide who the greatest boxer of this era truly is might never take place.
Pacquiao is against Mayweather’s call for random blood testing Olympic-style, one that would require probably a dozen tests in the months, weeks, days or hours before the fight.
Pacquiao said Mayweather knows how he hates the drawing of blood close to a fight, and the Filipino icon said it’s Mayweather’s way of dodging the fight, his only way out of it.
On the other side of the coin, Mayweather’s father said the fight would never ever happen because Pacquiao wouldn’t take the test. All along, he had doubts if Pacquiao is into performance-enhancing drugs.
But Leonard insists that the fight should happen, probably with or without the blood tests.
“The fight has to happen,” Leonard told David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press, adding that it would be a big disappointment if Pacquiao and Mayweather end up hanging up their gloves without fighting each other.
“They both are letting people call them pound-for-pound. They both are considered pound-for-pound right now. They’ve got to fight each other to prove who’s the best, pound-for-pound – fact.
“It’s about the money, because boxing’s a business. But also, if you want to be considered one of those guys, you’ve got to put up. That’s a fight that appears to be inevitable at some point in time, hopefully sooner than later,” Leonard said.
Sooner perhaps.
Source: philstar.com
Floyd Mayweather is the Greatest Ever? Don't Let Him Fool You
Don’t let him fool you. Money talks.
He talks a lot.
Floyd Mayweather is twice as smart as you think he is. In the weeks leading up to last Saturday’s showdown with Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather displayed the skill that truly sets him apart from anyone else—his knack for propaganda.
Through various prefight specials and postfight interviews, Floyd “Money” Mayweather declared his supremacy like a Roman gladiator by defaming past warriors and welcoming all challengers.
“Is there no else?”
Don’t let FMJ fool you.
We all know who’s next—who has to be next. Not even 10 minutes passed after the final bell Saturday before questions about the possibility of a supernatural showdown between FMJ and Pacquiao rose to the surface.
Mayweather talks about a match with the Filipino Pacquaio as if it would be just another fight.
Don’t let him fool you.
Manny Pacquiao would not be just another notch on Mayweather’s belt. A dethroning of Pacman would without a doubt place Mayweather amongst the ranks of boxing history.
Saturday’s victory over Shane Mosley is not enough to crown Mayweather king.
At 46-6, Mosley has had a long and impressive run. But, in reality, he has lost almost all of his big-time fights. His claim to fame—wins over De La Hoya and Margarito—pales in comparison to the image Floyd Mayweather would want us to have of “Sugar” Shane.
The ultimate self-promoter, Mayweather’s performance outside the ring seems to have surpassed his work inside of it. With the way everyone is talking, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever being considered greater than FMJ.
For example, many people thought Shane Mosley had a shot in this contest. Mayweather makes claims of grandeur; Oscar De La Hoya calls him “King of the World”; and everyone starts nodding their head in approval.
At this recognition, Mayweather rolls his eyes, wondering what took us so long to listen to him.
There’s no denying it. Floyd Mayweather is good, very good. Whether he ever beats Manny Pacquiao, he has been very impressive for a long time.
He’s like Mozart. He’s no good to pump through your system for a summer drive. He’s not going to satisfy your thirst for thrills. He won’t have you jumping out of your seat and cheering.
But he’s an artist, and he has mastered his craft. The best way to enjoy Mayweather is to study him—his big picture, his career, his impressive streak of lopsided victories, his flawless technique—all coming together to play a symphony on the canvas.
But, he’s even better at playing up his image.
Before Saturday’s fight, Floyd predicted such a glorious victory that he forced us all to sit back incredulously and dare him to come through.
And in 12 dazzling rounds, Floyd dominated a highly-respected veteran, shooting I-told-you-so looks to the crowd as he assumed his self-made throne.
With an unwavering confidence, and a smile so glossy it would make Lucifer jealous, Floyd Mayweather has once again stolen the show.
But don’t let him fool you.
Whether you were impressed with Floyd’s win Saturday, do not let Manny Pacquiao’s boring dominance over Josh Clottey tempt you to forget who has established a reign of terror in the last decade of boxing.
When Floyd Mayweather announced his return to the ring, it was Manny Pacquiao’s party that he was crashing. For the past five years, Pacquiao has terrorized the best names in modern boxing, with or without Mayweather in the picture.
Don’t let Floyd fool you. Manny Pacquiao is scary for Floyd Mayweather.
He is faster and can hit harder than anyone FMJ has ever faced. Pacquiao knows how to finish when he’s winning, and he knows how to fight back when he’s losing.
Watch the first two rounds of the De La Hoya fight. Pacquiao can hurt his opponent while playing the cherry-picking—one—punch—cover—one—punch style in which Floyd trapped Mosley.
Without the worry of tainting a perfect record, Pacquiao would be playing with nothing to lose. He wouldn’t have to fear a strong counter or a surprise big shot. Pacquiao could just keep coming and coming.
So, don’t let Floyd fool you. He doesn’t want any part of a fearless Manny Pacquiao.
Forget Sergio Martinez or Margarito. Forget Cavs versus Lakers. This is once in a lifetime. This is Ali—Frazier. This is finally making it to Disneyland after years of false promises. This is the Beatles at Shea Stadium.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather. Defense vs. offense. Robin Hood vs. King Midas.
To promote his fight against Mosley, Mayweather posed for a number of pictures in which he was dressed in a classical soldier’s armor with shield and sword, not unlike the hero Achilles.
Remember that in the Iliad, Achilles was the greatest of all warriors, the strongest and fastest fighter in the entire world. He was virtually invincible, unless his opponent was able to find and exploit his one fatal weakness.
Floyd Mayweather claims that he does everything right. He doesn’t have a weakness. In truth, with his unbelievable defense, he seems almost impossible to touch, to hurt. He looks invincible.
Don’t let him fool you.
Source: bleacherreport.com
He talks a lot.
Floyd Mayweather is twice as smart as you think he is. In the weeks leading up to last Saturday’s showdown with Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather displayed the skill that truly sets him apart from anyone else—his knack for propaganda.
Through various prefight specials and postfight interviews, Floyd “Money” Mayweather declared his supremacy like a Roman gladiator by defaming past warriors and welcoming all challengers.
“Is there no else?”
Don’t let FMJ fool you.
We all know who’s next—who has to be next. Not even 10 minutes passed after the final bell Saturday before questions about the possibility of a supernatural showdown between FMJ and Pacquiao rose to the surface.
Mayweather talks about a match with the Filipino Pacquaio as if it would be just another fight.
Don’t let him fool you.
Manny Pacquiao would not be just another notch on Mayweather’s belt. A dethroning of Pacman would without a doubt place Mayweather amongst the ranks of boxing history.
Saturday’s victory over Shane Mosley is not enough to crown Mayweather king.
At 46-6, Mosley has had a long and impressive run. But, in reality, he has lost almost all of his big-time fights. His claim to fame—wins over De La Hoya and Margarito—pales in comparison to the image Floyd Mayweather would want us to have of “Sugar” Shane.
The ultimate self-promoter, Mayweather’s performance outside the ring seems to have surpassed his work inside of it. With the way everyone is talking, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever being considered greater than FMJ.
For example, many people thought Shane Mosley had a shot in this contest. Mayweather makes claims of grandeur; Oscar De La Hoya calls him “King of the World”; and everyone starts nodding their head in approval.
At this recognition, Mayweather rolls his eyes, wondering what took us so long to listen to him.
There’s no denying it. Floyd Mayweather is good, very good. Whether he ever beats Manny Pacquiao, he has been very impressive for a long time.
He’s like Mozart. He’s no good to pump through your system for a summer drive. He’s not going to satisfy your thirst for thrills. He won’t have you jumping out of your seat and cheering.
But he’s an artist, and he has mastered his craft. The best way to enjoy Mayweather is to study him—his big picture, his career, his impressive streak of lopsided victories, his flawless technique—all coming together to play a symphony on the canvas.
But, he’s even better at playing up his image.
Before Saturday’s fight, Floyd predicted such a glorious victory that he forced us all to sit back incredulously and dare him to come through.
And in 12 dazzling rounds, Floyd dominated a highly-respected veteran, shooting I-told-you-so looks to the crowd as he assumed his self-made throne.
With an unwavering confidence, and a smile so glossy it would make Lucifer jealous, Floyd Mayweather has once again stolen the show.
But don’t let him fool you.
Whether you were impressed with Floyd’s win Saturday, do not let Manny Pacquiao’s boring dominance over Josh Clottey tempt you to forget who has established a reign of terror in the last decade of boxing.
When Floyd Mayweather announced his return to the ring, it was Manny Pacquiao’s party that he was crashing. For the past five years, Pacquiao has terrorized the best names in modern boxing, with or without Mayweather in the picture.
Don’t let Floyd fool you. Manny Pacquiao is scary for Floyd Mayweather.
He is faster and can hit harder than anyone FMJ has ever faced. Pacquiao knows how to finish when he’s winning, and he knows how to fight back when he’s losing.
Watch the first two rounds of the De La Hoya fight. Pacquiao can hurt his opponent while playing the cherry-picking—one—punch—cover—one—punch style in which Floyd trapped Mosley.
Without the worry of tainting a perfect record, Pacquiao would be playing with nothing to lose. He wouldn’t have to fear a strong counter or a surprise big shot. Pacquiao could just keep coming and coming.
So, don’t let Floyd fool you. He doesn’t want any part of a fearless Manny Pacquiao.
Forget Sergio Martinez or Margarito. Forget Cavs versus Lakers. This is once in a lifetime. This is Ali—Frazier. This is finally making it to Disneyland after years of false promises. This is the Beatles at Shea Stadium.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather. Defense vs. offense. Robin Hood vs. King Midas.
To promote his fight against Mosley, Mayweather posed for a number of pictures in which he was dressed in a classical soldier’s armor with shield and sword, not unlike the hero Achilles.
Remember that in the Iliad, Achilles was the greatest of all warriors, the strongest and fastest fighter in the entire world. He was virtually invincible, unless his opponent was able to find and exploit his one fatal weakness.
Floyd Mayweather claims that he does everything right. He doesn’t have a weakness. In truth, with his unbelievable defense, he seems almost impossible to touch, to hurt. He looks invincible.
Don’t let him fool you.
Source: bleacherreport.com
Desperately seeking Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Like the rest of the planet, I am fervently awaiting the Pacquiao vs Mayweather match. It could be the sport's last great gift to the huddled masses. Beyond Dempsey-Tunney, Louis-Schmeling, Robinson-La Motta, Ali-Frazier and Hearns-Leonard, Pacquiao- Mayweather will embrace the new multicultural world order and return boxing -- if only for a single night -- to the brightest lights on the biggest stage.
That's assuming they ever fight and assuming folks are willing to pay $64.95 to view it.
(That price might sound steep, but look at it this way -- the next time you fly, if you forego checking two bags, right there you've saved enough money to afford Pacquiao-Mayweather!)
The two have fought outside the ring in trying to set up a fight inside the ring.
Mayweather implied Pacquiao had used performance-
enhancing drugs and insisted on blood testing just before they fight. Pacquiao would not agree and sued Mayweather for defamation of character.
Pacquiao says giving blood just before a fight would weaken him.
(My own anecdotal evidence supports Pacquiao. In 1998, I gave blood and, less than 72 hours later, foolishly proposed to my second wife. Then last year I gave blood just before writing a column on statistical debris in sports, and dozens of readers e-mailed to tell me it was the worst article they had ever read.)
Unable to come to terms on a fight, Pacquiao proceeded to dominate Joshua Clottey March 13 and Mayweather proceeded to dominate Shane Mosley May 1, reviving debate on which champion is the world's best pound-for-pound boxer.
(I am often asked why the term "best pound-for-pound boxer" is used. Indeed, was G. Gordon Liddy referred to as the best pound-for-pound plumber in the business? Is Bobby Flay the best pound-for-pound chef? Is Yo-Yo Ma the best pound-for-pound cellist? The pound-for-pound expression essentially acknowledges the fact that a bantamweight, say, cannot beat a middleweight, but pound-for-pound, the bantamweight might be a better fighter. Of course, outside of the United States, they talk about the best "kilogram-for-kilogram" boxer.)
Whenever Pacquiao-
Mayweather happens, it likely will attract one of the biggest pay-per-view audiences ever; in 2007, Mayweather's fight against Oscar de la Hoya drew a record-breaking 2.45 million buys.
Source: washingtonpost.com
That's assuming they ever fight and assuming folks are willing to pay $64.95 to view it.
(That price might sound steep, but look at it this way -- the next time you fly, if you forego checking two bags, right there you've saved enough money to afford Pacquiao-Mayweather!)
The two have fought outside the ring in trying to set up a fight inside the ring.
Mayweather implied Pacquiao had used performance-
enhancing drugs and insisted on blood testing just before they fight. Pacquiao would not agree and sued Mayweather for defamation of character.
Pacquiao says giving blood just before a fight would weaken him.
(My own anecdotal evidence supports Pacquiao. In 1998, I gave blood and, less than 72 hours later, foolishly proposed to my second wife. Then last year I gave blood just before writing a column on statistical debris in sports, and dozens of readers e-mailed to tell me it was the worst article they had ever read.)
Unable to come to terms on a fight, Pacquiao proceeded to dominate Joshua Clottey March 13 and Mayweather proceeded to dominate Shane Mosley May 1, reviving debate on which champion is the world's best pound-for-pound boxer.
(I am often asked why the term "best pound-for-pound boxer" is used. Indeed, was G. Gordon Liddy referred to as the best pound-for-pound plumber in the business? Is Bobby Flay the best pound-for-pound chef? Is Yo-Yo Ma the best pound-for-pound cellist? The pound-for-pound expression essentially acknowledges the fact that a bantamweight, say, cannot beat a middleweight, but pound-for-pound, the bantamweight might be a better fighter. Of course, outside of the United States, they talk about the best "kilogram-for-kilogram" boxer.)
Whenever Pacquiao-
Mayweather happens, it likely will attract one of the biggest pay-per-view audiences ever; in 2007, Mayweather's fight against Oscar de la Hoya drew a record-breaking 2.45 million buys.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Roach/Ariza: PED accusation at Manny Pacquiao taken as compliment (at first)
Although Freddie Roach has a slightly different view (click on video above), Alex Ariza, Manny Pacquiao’s head strength and conditioning coach, has insisted the allegations being levelled at Pacquiao, emanating from the Mayweather camp, relating to the smear campaign over PEDs, was not looked on first of all by something negative by the Pacquiao Camp.
Indeed, they saw it as a veiled compliment, at first, towards the intense work they had done to build Pacquiao’s body for his contest with Oscar de la Hoya, a fight in which they knew their man was clearly the smaller of the two. The ballistics analysis they put together created a plan. They didn’t know what they would acheive. But it worked.
“In the beginning, I just thought it [the comments from Mayweather Snr] was a compliment, in a way, because of the work we have done to develop Manny into the fighter he is, but at the end of the day, we know it [the allegations] is not true, ” Ariza told Telegraph Sport.
“It doesn’t hurt us. Fighters are still going to come to Freddie because they want to be trained by him. People are still going to be trained by us, and when they come to the gym, they will see how hard we work there. We know exactly what we put our guys there through.”
Ariza is preparimng Pacquiao for his contest against Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Texas. He explained: “We are following the same format as we did for Miguel Cotto. I sat with Freddie and we felt the training regimen and the diet regimen for Manny against Cotto was dead on correct.”
To keep weight on Pacquiao, he has a protein shake before bed, in the middle of the night, and first thing in the morning.
“The weight-speed conditioning was all there, and we feel Joshua Clottey is a similar opponent in that Manny may have to absorb some punishment. Manny said afterwards that he felt in such good condition, he could take Cotto’s punches, and so Manny changed the game plan early in the fight against Cotto, wanting to demoralise him by absorbing his punching power.”
“It might not be exactly the same against Clottey. But the fight against Cotto went so well, Manny was strong for the entire fight, so we did not see any reason for changing anything. The only real difference between this and the Cotto fight is that we started doing a bit more strength training …”
“Manny was 151 lbs at four and a half weeks out, we keep him on a 7000 calories a day diet, and once we get to Dallas, I just have to take a few things away from the diet. We have to keep his intake up. He has to have a protein shake before going to bed, he has one at 3am, and another one first thing in the morning. He has up to six meals a day and six protein shakes a day when in training for a fight. We have to keep weight on him, as he trains so hard. We can’t have his body dropping calories.”
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Mayweather: Pacquiao should get less if fight pushes through
Here goes Floyd Mayweather again.
The trash-talking former holder of the mythical title of pound-for-pound king went on the offensive over the weekend, expressing his wonder to his hometown paper – the Grand Rapids Press – why Manny Pacquiao would not agree to “a $25 million drug test.”
Still resentful about the collapse of the lucrative bout with Pacquiao, Mayweather said that if their camps revive talks about a matchup in the next few months, the Filipino will have to agree to get less of the money at stake especially if his May 1 fight with Shane Mosley fares better than Pacquiao’s March 13 bout with Joshua Clottey.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15 or 17 and you know me, they have to throw that extra 5 or ten on mine and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it,” said Mayweather.
Pacquiao and Mayweather appeared on their way to agreeing on a deal but Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo random blood testing to level the playing field even though Pacquiao has never failed a drug test ever.
While Mayweather insists that he is not accusing Pacquiao of somebody who uses performance-enhancing drugs, the American fighter sounds off that the current pound-for-pound king is guilty.
“The thing is this: I’ve never seen a guy who didn’t want to take a $25 million drug test. If you’re clean, take the drug test.”
Mayweather lamented the fact that he had agreed to an unheard-of demand by Pacquiao on the issue of penalties on excess weight.
“In my clause, he told me if you would weigh over 147 I had to pay him $10 million for each pound. I agreed but he didn’t agree to my terms and we both would have had to take tests. It wasn’t just steered toward him. It was both me and him.”
Stung by Mayweather's nasty accusation, Pacquiao has filed a defamation lawsuit against him as well as the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is right on track in his preparation against Clottey even though he took a break when he traveled to Las Vegas to throw his support behind the Filipino fighters who fought there.
Pacquiao told a Manila-based station covering the fight at ringside that he didn’t find it hard to regain his old fiery form because he was coming off a big fight.
Over at Clottey’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Ghana banger is said to be awesome as well during sparring sessions, his chief handler Vinny Scolpino told ace fight scribe Mike Marley.
“He’s on target, he’s beating the crap out of people in sparring and I would say he is definitely on his A game,” said Scolpino.
Source: mb.com.ph
The trash-talking former holder of the mythical title of pound-for-pound king went on the offensive over the weekend, expressing his wonder to his hometown paper – the Grand Rapids Press – why Manny Pacquiao would not agree to “a $25 million drug test.”
Still resentful about the collapse of the lucrative bout with Pacquiao, Mayweather said that if their camps revive talks about a matchup in the next few months, the Filipino will have to agree to get less of the money at stake especially if his May 1 fight with Shane Mosley fares better than Pacquiao’s March 13 bout with Joshua Clottey.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15 or 17 and you know me, they have to throw that extra 5 or ten on mine and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it,” said Mayweather.
Pacquiao and Mayweather appeared on their way to agreeing on a deal but Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo random blood testing to level the playing field even though Pacquiao has never failed a drug test ever.
While Mayweather insists that he is not accusing Pacquiao of somebody who uses performance-enhancing drugs, the American fighter sounds off that the current pound-for-pound king is guilty.
“The thing is this: I’ve never seen a guy who didn’t want to take a $25 million drug test. If you’re clean, take the drug test.”
Mayweather lamented the fact that he had agreed to an unheard-of demand by Pacquiao on the issue of penalties on excess weight.
“In my clause, he told me if you would weigh over 147 I had to pay him $10 million for each pound. I agreed but he didn’t agree to my terms and we both would have had to take tests. It wasn’t just steered toward him. It was both me and him.”
Stung by Mayweather's nasty accusation, Pacquiao has filed a defamation lawsuit against him as well as the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is right on track in his preparation against Clottey even though he took a break when he traveled to Las Vegas to throw his support behind the Filipino fighters who fought there.
Pacquiao told a Manila-based station covering the fight at ringside that he didn’t find it hard to regain his old fiery form because he was coming off a big fight.
Over at Clottey’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Ghana banger is said to be awesome as well during sparring sessions, his chief handler Vinny Scolpino told ace fight scribe Mike Marley.
“He’s on target, he’s beating the crap out of people in sparring and I would say he is definitely on his A game,” said Scolpino.
Source: mb.com.ph
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Debacle: Five Things We Learned
1. Money doesn’t talk.
The consensus among observers was that there was just too much money involved for the fight not to happen.
The fighters were being guaranteed an equal split of $50 million upfront, plus a percentage of pay-per-view revenues that could have raised the pot to somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 million.
That’s an awfully nice neighborhood to drive past without pulling over for a paltry 36-minutes to collect the large, overstuffed moneybags loitering on the street corners.
I guess money doesn’t always talk. Or maybe it does but sometimes there are just so many idiots yelling and screaming around it that no one is able to hear it.
2. There needs to be a single overseeing body in the sport of boxing.
Manny is promoted by both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions. Floyd is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, but had authorized Golden Boy to negotiate the fight on his behalf.
So one of Manny’s promoters was negotiating on behalf of Manny’s other promoter who was negotiating on behalf of Floyd.
The fighters haggled over the specifics of adding a regulation to a fight overseen by a commission that has no authority to supervise or prohibit such a change in the regulations.
And we wonder why we’re left without a mega-fight, feeling like we’ve been simultaneously kicked in the teeth, gut, and jewel sack by a three-legged freak.
Power in the sport of boxing needs to be in the hands of a single organization—not splintered among promoters, state athletic commissions and miscellaneous sanctioning bodies.
3. That Manny Pacquiao is one popular dude—and not just in the Philippines.
If Barack Obama is sarcastically referred to as the Messiah, then Manny Pacquiao just may be God himself. And I’m not sure, but I think that would make Floyd Mayweather the devil.
I don’t know much about culture in the Philippines, but Filipino pride is a pretty amazing thing. That is a people who stick together and know what they believe.
Now I think I understand why Manny would rather pass up a $40 million payday than give a teaspoon of his blood—he could get twice that on Ebay.
4. There are some seriously passionate, angry, and insane fans out there.
Which one do you hate—Pedquiao or Gayweather?
Give the wrong answer to the person who asks that question and you may as well have hocked a fat loogie into the urn containing their grandmother’s ashes.
Let’s just get it over with and have all of the Mayweather fans wear red, the Pacquiao supporters wear blue, and start flashing signs, getting affiliation tats, and doing drive-bys.
It’s like we woke up one morning and found ourselves in a Jerry Springer boxing-themed Twilight Zone.
5. No matter how many times we, the fans, get screwed by the sport, we keep coming back.
Being a boxing fan is like being the wife of a mobster—you’re associated with a business filled with scumbags, you know you’re going to be cheated on, and you’re committed to it for life.
Having a fight the magnitude of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather wind up in a toe-tag is more than just another black eye for boxing—it’s the sport’s equivalent of Riddick Bowe having his scrotum used as a speed bag by Andrew Golata.
But, as always, we’ll stagger back to our corners, leer at the ring card girl, and somehow find a way to answer the bell for the next round.
Source: bleacherreport.com
The consensus among observers was that there was just too much money involved for the fight not to happen.
The fighters were being guaranteed an equal split of $50 million upfront, plus a percentage of pay-per-view revenues that could have raised the pot to somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 million.
That’s an awfully nice neighborhood to drive past without pulling over for a paltry 36-minutes to collect the large, overstuffed moneybags loitering on the street corners.
I guess money doesn’t always talk. Or maybe it does but sometimes there are just so many idiots yelling and screaming around it that no one is able to hear it.
2. There needs to be a single overseeing body in the sport of boxing.
Manny is promoted by both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions. Floyd is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, but had authorized Golden Boy to negotiate the fight on his behalf.
So one of Manny’s promoters was negotiating on behalf of Manny’s other promoter who was negotiating on behalf of Floyd.
The fighters haggled over the specifics of adding a regulation to a fight overseen by a commission that has no authority to supervise or prohibit such a change in the regulations.
And we wonder why we’re left without a mega-fight, feeling like we’ve been simultaneously kicked in the teeth, gut, and jewel sack by a three-legged freak.
Power in the sport of boxing needs to be in the hands of a single organization—not splintered among promoters, state athletic commissions and miscellaneous sanctioning bodies.
3. That Manny Pacquiao is one popular dude—and not just in the Philippines.
If Barack Obama is sarcastically referred to as the Messiah, then Manny Pacquiao just may be God himself. And I’m not sure, but I think that would make Floyd Mayweather the devil.
I don’t know much about culture in the Philippines, but Filipino pride is a pretty amazing thing. That is a people who stick together and know what they believe.
Now I think I understand why Manny would rather pass up a $40 million payday than give a teaspoon of his blood—he could get twice that on Ebay.
4. There are some seriously passionate, angry, and insane fans out there.
Which one do you hate—Pedquiao or Gayweather?
Give the wrong answer to the person who asks that question and you may as well have hocked a fat loogie into the urn containing their grandmother’s ashes.
Let’s just get it over with and have all of the Mayweather fans wear red, the Pacquiao supporters wear blue, and start flashing signs, getting affiliation tats, and doing drive-bys.
It’s like we woke up one morning and found ourselves in a Jerry Springer boxing-themed Twilight Zone.
5. No matter how many times we, the fans, get screwed by the sport, we keep coming back.
Being a boxing fan is like being the wife of a mobster—you’re associated with a business filled with scumbags, you know you’re going to be cheated on, and you’re committed to it for life.
Having a fight the magnitude of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather wind up in a toe-tag is more than just another black eye for boxing—it’s the sport’s equivalent of Riddick Bowe having his scrotum used as a speed bag by Andrew Golata.
But, as always, we’ll stagger back to our corners, leer at the ring card girl, and somehow find a way to answer the bell for the next round.
Source: bleacherreport.com
Friday, January 15, 2010
As Pacquiao-Mayweather fails, boxing proves its own worst enemy
A picture is worth a thousand words. So let's make a visual out of the current state of boxing.
Close your eyes and remember. October 1993. Las Vegas. The land is needed more than the building, so they fill the venerable Dunes Hotel on the Strip with dynamite, push a button and it implodes.
January 2010. The good ol' USA. No dynamite, just stupidity and ego. Same thing happens. Boxing implodes.
Last Sunday, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank announced that Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will fight Joshua Clottey of Ghana. The fight will be March 13 in the Dallas Cowboys' new football stadium.
Later that same day, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions announced that Floyd Mayweather Jr. would fight an opponent to be determined. The fight will be March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Yes, these are the two premier boxers in their sport.
Yes, they were supposed to fight each other.
And yes, that fight was supposed to be on March 13.
The world anticipated that one. Wallets and checkbooks were open. Sponsors were lining up. The estimated $60 pay-per-view tab even seemed reasonable. The bout would put boxing on the front pages next to the likes of Lakers and Dodgers, and in the same breath with them on the nightly newscasts.
This was a big deal, and then it wasn't. The fight was off. Mayweather's camp implied that Pacquiao must be enhancing his performances with drugs because he got so big and so good so fast. Pacquiao, with no credible hint whatsoever of any such activity, was offended, eventually said he wanted no part of the Mayweather camp and even sued for defamation.
Keep in mind that each fighter was to be guaranteed $25 million, and the likely final take for each, with projected pay-per-view revenue, was closer to $40 million.
In the end, this was an impasse the size of the Grand Canyon.
Then boxing made it worse.
By announcing separate fights on the same date, they split everything in two, especially their fan base. Television networks would have to choose. HBO is the sport's cash cow and it now must choose, alienating whomever it rejects.
Even if the two shows come off at different times with a two-hour difference from Central to Pacific zones, few are likely to plunk down money to buy both. Sports editors, website editors and TV program directors are likely to look at this mess, look at their ever-dwindling budgets and keep their reporters at home.
In essence, boxing canceled a Super Bowl and replaced it with two lesser events at the same time on competing channels. Nice work.
What ever happened to "United we stand, divided we fall"? In boxing, it appears to be "Every man for himself and take the other guy down with you."
If you are looking for a winner in this non-fight fight, it is probably the Pacquiao side. His fight with Clottey has the possibility of being competitive. It also has the attraction of a shiny new venue. Plus, whatever media attention is available, it will go more to the current star, Pacquiao. He has been backing up the Brinks truck after each fight for the last several years, while Mayweather, already retired and unretired once, has been less active.
Pacquiao, and promoter Arum, were in much better financial standing to walk away from a mega-fight. Mayweather has made millions, but has also fought recently, at least in part, for the benefit of the Internal Revenue Service.
Arum was Mayweather's promoter for many years, and is not shy about telling people he never made money with Mayweather and that Mayweather walked away from him just as his career became financially viable. Mayweather is now managed by Al Haymon, with whom Arum has dealt over the years for many fights. They like each other like cattlemen like sheepherders.
Walking away from these guys had to bring Arum at least a tinge of satisfaction.
The possibility of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight later in the year will depend on several things, including Pacquiao's possible status as a congressman in the Philippines. If he is elected in May, he could conceivably do all his fighting henceforth in political chambers, not boxing rings.
Throughout this saga, Mayweather has acted badly, as is his wont. As recently as last week, with the fight and his likely $40-million payday falling apart around him, he issued a statement that used foul language and further insulted Pacquiao.
Ultimately, he trash-talked his way into the garbage bin.
The last word on this story will go to Golden Boy's Schaefer, who unwittingly summed it all up. Early on in the talks, he said, "If we can't make this fight, we are idiots."
Source: latimes.com
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Pacquiao, Mayweather deliver fans a final insult
It's bad enough that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. aren't fighting each other on March 13, after both sides detonated boxing's version of a nuclear bomb and destroyed the biggest fight in the sport over a disagreement on the drug-testing procedures for the bout.
Now they -- and we -- are stuck with meaningless alternatives.
Shame on everyone involved. Shame, shame, shame.
The sport and its fans be damned, they said.
This wasn't just the destruction of any old fight. It was one of the biggest fights in history being pulled out from under millions of fans who were ready and willing -- excited, even -- to shell out hard-earned money while in the depths of a recession, just to see the two best fighters in the world throw down.
It was a fight that would have made boxing relevant again in the mainstream, even if briefly, and a great opportunity for the sport to capitalize on its great momentum of the past few years.
But that came to a grinding halt because of pettiness, ego and insanity on both sides.
After more than a month of holding the boxing world hostage while bickering over drug testing, they failed miserably. It is easily the most disappointing turn of events that I have covered in 10 years on this crazy beat.
And now it gets even worse: In the wreckage of the dead fight, the geniuses/babies at Top Rank (Pacquiao's promoter) and Golden Boy (which represents Mayweather) are again giving the finger to boxing fans by planning fights for their stars on the same day in competing pay-per-views.
They've already wounded boxing, so why not just jam the knife in a bit deeper, right?
Competing pay-per-views is just dumb, but Top Rank's Bob Arum -- who deserves a lot of the blame for Pacquiao-Mayweather going down in flames -- and Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer are just stubborn and arrogant enough to do it, no matter what damage it inflicts.
So Pacquiao is headed for Cowboys Stadium in Dallas to defend his welterweight belt against Joshua Clottey. If you can get past the Mayweather fight not happening (which I haven't yet), Pacquiao-Clottey is not a bad match, although it pales in comparison to a Mayweather bout. But it says something when the most interesting aspect of the bout is the stadium in which it will take place.
In fact, if you take a look at the poll that has been running on the ESPN.com boxing page for the last couple of days, it asks simply: "Will you watch the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium?" The results are stunning. With more than 49,000 votes in early Wednesday evening (and still counting), it was 69-31 against watching the fight. If you examine the breakdown of the state-by-state vote, every state had voted in the majority against watching the fight except Hawaii, which has a large Filipino population.
That is just anecdotal evidence, of course, as it is not a scientific poll. But it's pretty clear that the sports public is extremely angry that Pacquiao and Mayweather are not fighting each other. The backlash against any other fight is enormous and deserved, something the promoters just do not understand yet, although they will when both pay-per-views tank miserably.
Mayweather, meanwhile, plans to fight the same night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and seems headed for a match with either Paulie Malignaggi or Nate Campbell. Both are good fighters, but neither bout is remotely compelling and beating either means nothing for Mayweather. They are both horrible mismatches. Let me repeat that, just in case you didn't get it the first time: They are both horrible mismatches. Even as non-pay-per-views, Mayweather against either opponent stinks. For a $50 fee to watch, it's grotesque.
If you think the ESPN.com poll numbers are bad for Pacquiao-Clottey, the numbers for a Mayweather-Malignaggi/Campbell poll should be much, much worse. Why? Because yet again, Mayweather, who claims to be the greatest fighter ever, would be facing a much smaller man with virtually zero chance to win. There's a shock. That's what Mayweather has systematically done since arriving at welterweight in 2005 -- duck the best opponents. At least Pacquiao has consistently challenged himself by facing bigger men. In Clottey, Pacquiao will be facing a man who poses some danger.
What it boils down to is this: Instead of fans clamoring to spend $60 for Pacquiao-Mayweather, they are stuck with two far lesser fights on the same night with a pay-per-view tab that will run $100 or so if they want to see both men in action. Hopefully, enough folks will reject both, which ought to teach both camps a lesson.
Only in boxing could those who are the de facto caretakers of the sport take a glorious event and dump all over it. What these guys needed more than mediator Daniel Weinstein's last-ditch effort to help them see their way through the drug-testing issue was group therapy.
One of the interesting elements in this depressing situation is how HBO will handle it. For the past several years, HBO PPV has handled Pacquiao and Mayweather fights. Now, it's faced with the cold reality of making a decision on which fighter and promoter it will support. Top Rank is prepared to go it alone with Pacquiao-Clottey, but it would like HBO's support. Golden Boy has been dependent on and enabled by HBO since its birth.
I know it's a rough situation because HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg ain't talkin' and he's ordered his staff not to talk either. They've got some serious decisions to make inside the ivory tower.
Greenburg doesn't want to alienate either fighter or promoter. Nor does he want to alienate Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (who is paying a roughly $6 million site fee to bring Pacquiao to his stadium), especially since Greenburg was the one who championed Pacquiao-Mayweather being held at Cowboys Stadium in the first place.
So what's going to happen? Pacquiao is going to fight Clottey because he wants to get in a bout before his campaign for political office in the Philippines get rolling. (Side note: Would you really want Pacquiao, a guy who once signed a contract with Top Rank and then accepted a bag full of cash from Golden Boy to also sign with that company, representing you in government? But I digress.)
Mayweather, who has no real opponent to fight on March 13, continues with plans to fight on that date, although he ought to wait until June and fight Shane Mosley (assuming Mosley beats Andre Berto on Jan. 30).
I don't know for sure what will happen other than, no matter what happens, there will be no winners.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Now they -- and we -- are stuck with meaningless alternatives.
Shame on everyone involved. Shame, shame, shame.
The sport and its fans be damned, they said.
This wasn't just the destruction of any old fight. It was one of the biggest fights in history being pulled out from under millions of fans who were ready and willing -- excited, even -- to shell out hard-earned money while in the depths of a recession, just to see the two best fighters in the world throw down.
It was a fight that would have made boxing relevant again in the mainstream, even if briefly, and a great opportunity for the sport to capitalize on its great momentum of the past few years.
But that came to a grinding halt because of pettiness, ego and insanity on both sides.
After more than a month of holding the boxing world hostage while bickering over drug testing, they failed miserably. It is easily the most disappointing turn of events that I have covered in 10 years on this crazy beat.
And now it gets even worse: In the wreckage of the dead fight, the geniuses/babies at Top Rank (Pacquiao's promoter) and Golden Boy (which represents Mayweather) are again giving the finger to boxing fans by planning fights for their stars on the same day in competing pay-per-views.
They've already wounded boxing, so why not just jam the knife in a bit deeper, right?
Competing pay-per-views is just dumb, but Top Rank's Bob Arum -- who deserves a lot of the blame for Pacquiao-Mayweather going down in flames -- and Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer are just stubborn and arrogant enough to do it, no matter what damage it inflicts.
So Pacquiao is headed for Cowboys Stadium in Dallas to defend his welterweight belt against Joshua Clottey. If you can get past the Mayweather fight not happening (which I haven't yet), Pacquiao-Clottey is not a bad match, although it pales in comparison to a Mayweather bout. But it says something when the most interesting aspect of the bout is the stadium in which it will take place.
In fact, if you take a look at the poll that has been running on the ESPN.com boxing page for the last couple of days, it asks simply: "Will you watch the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium?" The results are stunning. With more than 49,000 votes in early Wednesday evening (and still counting), it was 69-31 against watching the fight. If you examine the breakdown of the state-by-state vote, every state had voted in the majority against watching the fight except Hawaii, which has a large Filipino population.
That is just anecdotal evidence, of course, as it is not a scientific poll. But it's pretty clear that the sports public is extremely angry that Pacquiao and Mayweather are not fighting each other. The backlash against any other fight is enormous and deserved, something the promoters just do not understand yet, although they will when both pay-per-views tank miserably.
Mayweather, meanwhile, plans to fight the same night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and seems headed for a match with either Paulie Malignaggi or Nate Campbell. Both are good fighters, but neither bout is remotely compelling and beating either means nothing for Mayweather. They are both horrible mismatches. Let me repeat that, just in case you didn't get it the first time: They are both horrible mismatches. Even as non-pay-per-views, Mayweather against either opponent stinks. For a $50 fee to watch, it's grotesque.
If you think the ESPN.com poll numbers are bad for Pacquiao-Clottey, the numbers for a Mayweather-Malignaggi/Campbell poll should be much, much worse. Why? Because yet again, Mayweather, who claims to be the greatest fighter ever, would be facing a much smaller man with virtually zero chance to win. There's a shock. That's what Mayweather has systematically done since arriving at welterweight in 2005 -- duck the best opponents. At least Pacquiao has consistently challenged himself by facing bigger men. In Clottey, Pacquiao will be facing a man who poses some danger.
What it boils down to is this: Instead of fans clamoring to spend $60 for Pacquiao-Mayweather, they are stuck with two far lesser fights on the same night with a pay-per-view tab that will run $100 or so if they want to see both men in action. Hopefully, enough folks will reject both, which ought to teach both camps a lesson.
Only in boxing could those who are the de facto caretakers of the sport take a glorious event and dump all over it. What these guys needed more than mediator Daniel Weinstein's last-ditch effort to help them see their way through the drug-testing issue was group therapy.
One of the interesting elements in this depressing situation is how HBO will handle it. For the past several years, HBO PPV has handled Pacquiao and Mayweather fights. Now, it's faced with the cold reality of making a decision on which fighter and promoter it will support. Top Rank is prepared to go it alone with Pacquiao-Clottey, but it would like HBO's support. Golden Boy has been dependent on and enabled by HBO since its birth.
I know it's a rough situation because HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg ain't talkin' and he's ordered his staff not to talk either. They've got some serious decisions to make inside the ivory tower.
Greenburg doesn't want to alienate either fighter or promoter. Nor does he want to alienate Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (who is paying a roughly $6 million site fee to bring Pacquiao to his stadium), especially since Greenburg was the one who championed Pacquiao-Mayweather being held at Cowboys Stadium in the first place.
So what's going to happen? Pacquiao is going to fight Clottey because he wants to get in a bout before his campaign for political office in the Philippines get rolling. (Side note: Would you really want Pacquiao, a guy who once signed a contract with Top Rank and then accepted a bag full of cash from Golden Boy to also sign with that company, representing you in government? But I digress.)
Mayweather, who has no real opponent to fight on March 13, continues with plans to fight on that date, although he ought to wait until June and fight Shane Mosley (assuming Mosley beats Andre Berto on Jan. 30).
I don't know for sure what will happen other than, no matter what happens, there will be no winners.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
UFC chief: Floyd blew fight vs Pacquiao
MANILA, Philippines -- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White blamed Floyd Mayweather Jr. for ruining what might have been the biggest fight in recent boxing history with Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao.
“I think [Floyd] blew this fight,” White said in a report by 5thRound.com.
“When another fighter starts dictating a drug test, first of all, Pacquiao’s never tested positive for any drug but Floyd’s going to make him go through drug testing? That’s ridiculous,” he said.
White was referring to Mayweather’s demand to have Pacquiao undergo an Olympic-style drug test, which, in effect, sent a message that the Filipino might have been using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). The demand led to the collapse in the negotiations and the cancellation of the fight.
The UFC chief earlier had a spat with the former pound-for-pound king in 2007 when Mayweather claimed mixed martial arts fighters can’t handle boxing.
White said that like other fight fans, he wants to see the Pacquiao-Mayweather match.
“I want to see this fight. I’m dying to see this fight.”
With regards to Mayweather’s random blood-testing demand, White said Floyd should have left the matter to the athletics commission to decide.
“That’s what the commission is there for,” commented White in another report by Sherdog.com.
“The athletic commission is there for the safety of the fighters. They drug test, they blood test, they do all those other things. For another fighter to be calling out another fighter for some type of blood work is [expletive] crazy. Just [expletive] train for the fight and fight; that’s what everybody wants to see,” he said.
The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight was supposed to take place on March 13. But since it was called off, the Pacquiao camp decided to take on Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on the same fight date.
Mayweather is also reportedly looking for an alternate opponent to compete with the Pacquiao-Clottey bout in Texas.
Moorer speaks out for Pacquiao
Former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, who worked with Pacquiao and Freddie Roach for the Ricky Hatton fight, defended the Filipino from allegations he’s been using PEDs.
“Manny Pacquiao has that work ethic that a lot of boxers don't have these days and a lot of people are jealous and a lot of people are trying to make something out of it because they don't know what hard work and dedication is,” the former boxer said in a report by FightHype.com.
Moorer added that Pacquiao has the best chance of finally breaking Mayweather's unbeaten record. Mayweather hasn't lost in 40 fights.
“I haven't been in camp with Floyd Mayweather, but I feel that Manny Pacquiao would give Floyd Mayweather that one loss,” he said.
Pacquiao, the current World Boxing Organization welterweight champ, has 3 losses against 50 wins. But despite the losses, the Filipino is heralded as today’s top pound-for-pound boxer because of his exciting style of fighting.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
“I think [Floyd] blew this fight,” White said in a report by 5thRound.com.
“When another fighter starts dictating a drug test, first of all, Pacquiao’s never tested positive for any drug but Floyd’s going to make him go through drug testing? That’s ridiculous,” he said.
White was referring to Mayweather’s demand to have Pacquiao undergo an Olympic-style drug test, which, in effect, sent a message that the Filipino might have been using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). The demand led to the collapse in the negotiations and the cancellation of the fight.
The UFC chief earlier had a spat with the former pound-for-pound king in 2007 when Mayweather claimed mixed martial arts fighters can’t handle boxing.
White said that like other fight fans, he wants to see the Pacquiao-Mayweather match.
“I want to see this fight. I’m dying to see this fight.”
With regards to Mayweather’s random blood-testing demand, White said Floyd should have left the matter to the athletics commission to decide.
“That’s what the commission is there for,” commented White in another report by Sherdog.com.
“The athletic commission is there for the safety of the fighters. They drug test, they blood test, they do all those other things. For another fighter to be calling out another fighter for some type of blood work is [expletive] crazy. Just [expletive] train for the fight and fight; that’s what everybody wants to see,” he said.
The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight was supposed to take place on March 13. But since it was called off, the Pacquiao camp decided to take on Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on the same fight date.
Mayweather is also reportedly looking for an alternate opponent to compete with the Pacquiao-Clottey bout in Texas.
Moorer speaks out for Pacquiao
Former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, who worked with Pacquiao and Freddie Roach for the Ricky Hatton fight, defended the Filipino from allegations he’s been using PEDs.
“Manny Pacquiao has that work ethic that a lot of boxers don't have these days and a lot of people are jealous and a lot of people are trying to make something out of it because they don't know what hard work and dedication is,” the former boxer said in a report by FightHype.com.
Moorer added that Pacquiao has the best chance of finally breaking Mayweather's unbeaten record. Mayweather hasn't lost in 40 fights.
“I haven't been in camp with Floyd Mayweather, but I feel that Manny Pacquiao would give Floyd Mayweather that one loss,” he said.
Pacquiao, the current World Boxing Organization welterweight champ, has 3 losses against 50 wins. But despite the losses, the Filipino is heralded as today’s top pound-for-pound boxer because of his exciting style of fighting.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
Boxers should not set rules, Viloria says
The buzz about the cancelled Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout maybe over for now, but Brian Viloria is not yet done rattling off his take in the dream match that was billed as the richest in boxing history.
In a free-wheeling chat with reporters Wednesday, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight champion said Pacquiao made the right decision not to give into the demands of the Mayweather camp to conduct an Olympic-style of (random) blood testing – a kind of test beyond the ordinary.
The governing Nevada State Athletics only requires urine tests for the proposed March 13 fight in Las Vegas.
Both camps did not see eye to eye with the issue, prompting Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter to cancel the fight.
“It’s a shame for boxing that Mayweather had to go down to that point (demand a blood test). Boxers should not set laws or rules but rather abide by them,” Viloria said.
“I don’t see the point why fighters should demand ‘you have to do this and do that.’ The commission should have the authority and not the boxers dictating what another fighter needs to do.”
With the collapse of the negotiation, Pacquiao has been penciled to face Ghanaian Joshua Clottey whom he’ll face in an 80,000-capacity stadium in Dallas.
“Manny is the draw here. Mayweather thinks he’s the draw but nobody cares about him,” Viloria said.
Source: mb.com.ph
In a free-wheeling chat with reporters Wednesday, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight champion said Pacquiao made the right decision not to give into the demands of the Mayweather camp to conduct an Olympic-style of (random) blood testing – a kind of test beyond the ordinary.
The governing Nevada State Athletics only requires urine tests for the proposed March 13 fight in Las Vegas.
Both camps did not see eye to eye with the issue, prompting Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter to cancel the fight.
“It’s a shame for boxing that Mayweather had to go down to that point (demand a blood test). Boxers should not set laws or rules but rather abide by them,” Viloria said.
“I don’t see the point why fighters should demand ‘you have to do this and do that.’ The commission should have the authority and not the boxers dictating what another fighter needs to do.”
With the collapse of the negotiation, Pacquiao has been penciled to face Ghanaian Joshua Clottey whom he’ll face in an 80,000-capacity stadium in Dallas.
“Manny is the draw here. Mayweather thinks he’s the draw but nobody cares about him,” Viloria said.
Source: mb.com.ph
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The depressing realization that the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather fight is kaput is finally settling over the boxing community. As has been repo
The depressing realization that the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather fight is kaput is finally settling over the boxing community. As has been reported by Dan Rafael at ESPN and a variety of other news outlets, it seems that Pacquiao will now be slated to face welterweight contender Joshua Clottey while Mayweather is working on lining up an opponent for himself.
Both fighters are still planning on using the proposed March 13 date, which means that instead of battling it out in the ring they will be battling it out on the balance sheets to see who draws more pay-per-view sales and possibly gains an upper hand in further negotiations should the fight ever rematerialize. Yes, it's likely that after having our strings pulled for the better part of two months, that a fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao could still rise to the surface in September of this year.
For his part, potential Mayweather opponents have been rumored as Kermit Cintron and Paulie Malignaggi, although a handful of other fighters have been named as well. Mayweather's fight will still likely take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao will take a trip down to the Palace in Dallas to fight in Jerry Jones's new Cowboys Stadium.
After all of the back and forth drama, the media ploys and what ultimately amounts to an epic failure on the part of all sides, one question remains in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight cancellation fiasco.
Lots of people deserve a share of the blame for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather not getting made. Starting with those who deserve the most...
Bob Arum: Yes, he of, "Yesterday I lied, today I'm telling the truth," fame. Throughout the entire affair Pacquiao's promoter was more interested in taking shots at Floyd Mayweather and his camp, and trying to work over the media then to work out a deal. As Golden Boy representative Richard Schaefer repeatedly told media outlets that the fight could still get done and only small issues needed to be ironed out, Arum jumped at every opportunity to say the fight was dead.
Arum formerly promoted Mayweather, until their relationship turned sour and Mayweather bought his way out of the contract. Arum's stubborn refusal to work amiably with Mayweather when it would have benefited everyone involved was one of the driving factors of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather Comes to a Screeching Halt, Who's to Blame?
being tanked.
Manny Pacquiao: Boxers are superstitious people. That's why they have such rigid routines and it forms the basis of some of their courage to step into the ring and exchange thunderous shots to the face with one another. However, Pacquiao's superstitious belief that having his blood drawn would make him weak and his resulting refusal to adhere to the demands of Mayweather was the final boulder that could not be moved out of the way for the mega-fight to get made. Ultimately, if you are a clean fighter, why wouldn't you agree to have your blood taken for $50 million?
Floyd Mayweather: Accusing Pacquiao of taking steroids was a win-win media ploy for Mayweather... except if Pacquiao retaliated by refusing to take the tests and instead filing a lawsuit, which he did. For his part, Mayweather did compromise on many of the details of the bout, however at the end of the day his stance on Olympic drug testing instead of the typical commission-based tests gets the "he never wanted the fight anyway" tag thrown back in his face.
Fighting a junior welterweight contender such as Paulie Malignaggi while Pacquiao fights a welterweight contender would be further embarrassment. Not to mention, how can a fighter with the self-given nickname "Money", not cease his demand making, and let his fists do the talking for an absurdly rich payday?
Richard Schaefer: Despite being far less culpable than Arum, Schaefer could have come up with more creative negotiating strategies to get the fight made. Mayweather's camp agreed to a ludicrous $10 million fee for coming in overweight. Schaefer could have compromised on the blood testing demands of Mayweather and came back with a $10 million penalty for any pre or post fight positive test results.
There's more blame to go around too. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach for his media sensationalism and constant interviews one minute approving the bout and the next minute deriding it; Mayweather's father Floyd Mayweather Sr. for getting the Pacquiao steroid allegations started; fans, promoters and networks for aimlessly allowing the charade to play itself out and on down the line.
Somebody, anybody, needed to step up - or suck it up - and do something to save this bout. Nobody did, and it's truly an atrocity for everybody involved. Long, drawn out and venomous negotiations are a common occurrence for major boxing contests, but traditionally, the fight always got made.
The fact that this one didn't is a monumental catastrophe for all parties involved. Maybe the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao bout happens in September. Maybe it doesn't. Maybe one of the two guys loses their interim bouts on March 13 and all of the glam and glitz falls off the contest. At this point though, who cares?
Source: associatedcontent.com
Both fighters are still planning on using the proposed March 13 date, which means that instead of battling it out in the ring they will be battling it out on the balance sheets to see who draws more pay-per-view sales and possibly gains an upper hand in further negotiations should the fight ever rematerialize. Yes, it's likely that after having our strings pulled for the better part of two months, that a fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao could still rise to the surface in September of this year.
For his part, potential Mayweather opponents have been rumored as Kermit Cintron and Paulie Malignaggi, although a handful of other fighters have been named as well. Mayweather's fight will still likely take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao will take a trip down to the Palace in Dallas to fight in Jerry Jones's new Cowboys Stadium.
After all of the back and forth drama, the media ploys and what ultimately amounts to an epic failure on the part of all sides, one question remains in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight cancellation fiasco.
Lots of people deserve a share of the blame for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather not getting made. Starting with those who deserve the most...
Bob Arum: Yes, he of, "Yesterday I lied, today I'm telling the truth," fame. Throughout the entire affair Pacquiao's promoter was more interested in taking shots at Floyd Mayweather and his camp, and trying to work over the media then to work out a deal. As Golden Boy representative Richard Schaefer repeatedly told media outlets that the fight could still get done and only small issues needed to be ironed out, Arum jumped at every opportunity to say the fight was dead.
Arum formerly promoted Mayweather, until their relationship turned sour and Mayweather bought his way out of the contract. Arum's stubborn refusal to work amiably with Mayweather when it would have benefited everyone involved was one of the driving factors of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather Comes to a Screeching Halt, Who's to Blame?
being tanked.
Manny Pacquiao: Boxers are superstitious people. That's why they have such rigid routines and it forms the basis of some of their courage to step into the ring and exchange thunderous shots to the face with one another. However, Pacquiao's superstitious belief that having his blood drawn would make him weak and his resulting refusal to adhere to the demands of Mayweather was the final boulder that could not be moved out of the way for the mega-fight to get made. Ultimately, if you are a clean fighter, why wouldn't you agree to have your blood taken for $50 million?
Floyd Mayweather: Accusing Pacquiao of taking steroids was a win-win media ploy for Mayweather... except if Pacquiao retaliated by refusing to take the tests and instead filing a lawsuit, which he did. For his part, Mayweather did compromise on many of the details of the bout, however at the end of the day his stance on Olympic drug testing instead of the typical commission-based tests gets the "he never wanted the fight anyway" tag thrown back in his face.
Fighting a junior welterweight contender such as Paulie Malignaggi while Pacquiao fights a welterweight contender would be further embarrassment. Not to mention, how can a fighter with the self-given nickname "Money", not cease his demand making, and let his fists do the talking for an absurdly rich payday?
Richard Schaefer: Despite being far less culpable than Arum, Schaefer could have come up with more creative negotiating strategies to get the fight made. Mayweather's camp agreed to a ludicrous $10 million fee for coming in overweight. Schaefer could have compromised on the blood testing demands of Mayweather and came back with a $10 million penalty for any pre or post fight positive test results.
There's more blame to go around too. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach for his media sensationalism and constant interviews one minute approving the bout and the next minute deriding it; Mayweather's father Floyd Mayweather Sr. for getting the Pacquiao steroid allegations started; fans, promoters and networks for aimlessly allowing the charade to play itself out and on down the line.
Somebody, anybody, needed to step up - or suck it up - and do something to save this bout. Nobody did, and it's truly an atrocity for everybody involved. Long, drawn out and venomous negotiations are a common occurrence for major boxing contests, but traditionally, the fight always got made.
The fact that this one didn't is a monumental catastrophe for all parties involved. Maybe the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao bout happens in September. Maybe it doesn't. Maybe one of the two guys loses their interim bouts on March 13 and all of the glam and glitz falls off the contest. At this point though, who cares?
Source: associatedcontent.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are foolish to throw away millions
PHILADELPHIA — Toward the end of every calendar year, the Darwin Awards document incidents of human behavior so preposterous that the only conclusion is that the winners never made it very far up the evolutionary ladder.
It’s only a week and a half into 2010, but my early nomination for a Darwin Award goes to everyone concerned with the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. megafight that has imploded into a million pieces, again leaving boxing fans to wonder whether those who control the sport are suicidal, stupid or perhaps a combination of both.
Incensed by claims from the Mayweather camp that his rise to superstardom was fueled by performance-enhancing drugs, Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has agreed in principle to a consolation-prize bout with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 13, the date he was to have fought Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
With the possible intent of demonstrating that two wrongs somehow do make a right, Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) insists he also will fight on March 13, most likely against pitty-pat-punching Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KOs) at the MGM Grand.
The only thing more nonsensical than two spiteful guys willfully throwing away a payday of up to $40 million apiece, in a fight that almost certainly would have been the highest-grossing in boxing history, is the notion that they’ll go head-to-head on the same date in competing pay-per-view events. I now declare nominations for the top prize for this year’s Darwin Awards closed.
Of course, proponents of each fighter will insist that failure to reach an agreement falls to the other side. There have been, and will continue to be, assertions of who deserves to get the larger slice of the blame-game pie. But no one comes out of this smelling like a rose.
Former Philadelphia Daily News sports editor and veteran HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant has been around long enough to understand that most impasses are based less on principle than on ego and money. Elite fighters, by nature, are a self-centered lot.
"I think of negotiating as a kind of dominance in which both fighters are trying to show that they’re the man, they’re the stronger guy, they’re the one who can impose his will on the other guy and that this will somehow show up in the ring," Merchant said when asked for his thoughts on the collapse of Pacquiao-Mayweather for now and perhaps forever.
After both sides — Top Rank founder Bob Arum and his stepson, company president Todd duBoef, represent Pacquiao, while Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer stood in for Mayweather Promotions, which is not licensed to do business in Nevada — agreed to the date and MGM Grand site, Mayweather’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and uncle-trainer, Roger Mayweather, began popping off about how Pacquiao had gone from skinny 106-pounder to ripped 147-pounder, thanks in large part to steroids.
Pacquiao, who never has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, said he was highly offended by claims his success was anything but all natural. The Mayweather camp then demanded both fighters submit to more stringent, Olympic-type drug testing administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which includes random blood testing up to the day of an event.
During the past several weeks, Pacquiao filed a defamation suit against the Mayweathers, Golden Boy, Schaefer and the "Golden Boy" himself, Oscar De La Hoya. Various compromises were proposed and rejected, and now we are left with a mess of nothing, except, of course, pending litigation.
Is Pacquiao in the right? He’s never tested positive for any form of PED, so maybe his anger is justified.
Is Mayweather in the right? Shane Mosley, an executive and fighter for Golden Boy, tested clean for a matchup with De La Hoya, but later admitted to a grand jury he had injected himself with the doping agent EPO. If Mosley can beat the system, Team Mayweather contends, Pacquiao can, too.
A nine-hour mediation session last week with retired judge Daniel Weinstein failed to bridge the gap. In fact, the chasm appears to be widening.
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said random blood testing up to the day of the bout would weaken his fighter, the naturally smaller man. He also claims Mayweather insisted on it because he’s "scared" of the Filipino and doesn’t want to risk his undefeated record, no matter how many millions of dollars are at stake.
Ever the chest-thumping gangsta, Mayweather said in a prepared statement that fans will see through Pacquiao’s "smoke screens and lies."
Big talk, however, has never settled anything. As the Darwin Awards demonstrate, we have met the enemy and once again it is us.
Source: bostonherald.com
It’s only a week and a half into 2010, but my early nomination for a Darwin Award goes to everyone concerned with the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. megafight that has imploded into a million pieces, again leaving boxing fans to wonder whether those who control the sport are suicidal, stupid or perhaps a combination of both.
Incensed by claims from the Mayweather camp that his rise to superstardom was fueled by performance-enhancing drugs, Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has agreed in principle to a consolation-prize bout with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 13, the date he was to have fought Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
With the possible intent of demonstrating that two wrongs somehow do make a right, Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) insists he also will fight on March 13, most likely against pitty-pat-punching Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KOs) at the MGM Grand.
The only thing more nonsensical than two spiteful guys willfully throwing away a payday of up to $40 million apiece, in a fight that almost certainly would have been the highest-grossing in boxing history, is the notion that they’ll go head-to-head on the same date in competing pay-per-view events. I now declare nominations for the top prize for this year’s Darwin Awards closed.
Of course, proponents of each fighter will insist that failure to reach an agreement falls to the other side. There have been, and will continue to be, assertions of who deserves to get the larger slice of the blame-game pie. But no one comes out of this smelling like a rose.
Former Philadelphia Daily News sports editor and veteran HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant has been around long enough to understand that most impasses are based less on principle than on ego and money. Elite fighters, by nature, are a self-centered lot.
"I think of negotiating as a kind of dominance in which both fighters are trying to show that they’re the man, they’re the stronger guy, they’re the one who can impose his will on the other guy and that this will somehow show up in the ring," Merchant said when asked for his thoughts on the collapse of Pacquiao-Mayweather for now and perhaps forever.
After both sides — Top Rank founder Bob Arum and his stepson, company president Todd duBoef, represent Pacquiao, while Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer stood in for Mayweather Promotions, which is not licensed to do business in Nevada — agreed to the date and MGM Grand site, Mayweather’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and uncle-trainer, Roger Mayweather, began popping off about how Pacquiao had gone from skinny 106-pounder to ripped 147-pounder, thanks in large part to steroids.
Pacquiao, who never has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, said he was highly offended by claims his success was anything but all natural. The Mayweather camp then demanded both fighters submit to more stringent, Olympic-type drug testing administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which includes random blood testing up to the day of an event.
During the past several weeks, Pacquiao filed a defamation suit against the Mayweathers, Golden Boy, Schaefer and the "Golden Boy" himself, Oscar De La Hoya. Various compromises were proposed and rejected, and now we are left with a mess of nothing, except, of course, pending litigation.
Is Pacquiao in the right? He’s never tested positive for any form of PED, so maybe his anger is justified.
Is Mayweather in the right? Shane Mosley, an executive and fighter for Golden Boy, tested clean for a matchup with De La Hoya, but later admitted to a grand jury he had injected himself with the doping agent EPO. If Mosley can beat the system, Team Mayweather contends, Pacquiao can, too.
A nine-hour mediation session last week with retired judge Daniel Weinstein failed to bridge the gap. In fact, the chasm appears to be widening.
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said random blood testing up to the day of the bout would weaken his fighter, the naturally smaller man. He also claims Mayweather insisted on it because he’s "scared" of the Filipino and doesn’t want to risk his undefeated record, no matter how many millions of dollars are at stake.
Ever the chest-thumping gangsta, Mayweather said in a prepared statement that fans will see through Pacquiao’s "smoke screens and lies."
Big talk, however, has never settled anything. As the Darwin Awards demonstrate, we have met the enemy and once again it is us.
Source: bostonherald.com
Two Rights Make a Wrong
Two wrongs don't make a right but sometimes two rights make a wrong. Witness the debacle about the Pacquiao-Mayweather mega bout -- the only fight that the public has demanded in years and a fight that has now been counted out. Why? How could boxing deliver such a vicious uppercut to itself?
As the story goes, and there are many narratives buzzing around, the contest was all but a done deal when Floyd Mayweather and company demanded Olympic-style drug testing. Pacquiao went ballistic and refused to comply. With perhaps the biggest bout on record hanging on the ropes, representatives for the two parties went into mediation but to no avail. Now Pacquiao has signed to fight Joshua Clottey on March 13, and in keeping with their strife, Mayweather is eager to match up with someone else on the same night.
As irritating as Mayweather can be, he was within reason and his rights to be concerned about the possibility of the Pac Man using performance enhancing drugs. After all, Pacquiao has leapt over weight classes as though they were puddles. He is the only fighter to win titles in seven different weight classes, prompting boxing historian Bert Sugar to tab him the "Evil Knievel" of boxing. To be sure, others have jumped divisions but none so many and while retaining, if not increasing, their punching power. Moreover, Pacquiao has been likened to Lance Armstrong in his supreme conditioning. His ability to workout for hours at very intense levels with little need for days off and recovery time are not the kind of stories to allay suspicions about PED.
While some commentators have accused Mayweather of groping for an excuse to excuse himself from a fight with Pacquiao, it is a fact that elite boxers have been going into the medicine cabinet. Some have been caught. Some haven't. By and large boxing does not have either the infrastructure or the financial means to demand rigorous random testing for every fight. Although Mayweather and his Golden Boy Promotions should not have approached the issue in such a public manner, their worries about the use of steroids or human growth hormone were understandable.
On the other hand, Pacquiao has never tested positive for anything and so from his point of view there was no reason to single him out for tests that go beyond what is required by the Nevada Boxing Commission. Assuming his innocence, Pacquiao is right to take serious umbrage at the implication that chemistry is responsible for his astounding accomplishments. He would also be right to do what he has done, namely, file a law suit against Floyd Mayweather and Golden Boy for defamation of character. But that is not the end of it.
With his exciting style and masterful technique, Pacquiao has single handedly scraped boxing off of the canvas. A one time street kid from the Philippines, he has become a national treasure and, according to Time, one of the most important people in the world. Pacquiao's popularity is in large part due to the fact that he is seen as a symbol of purity. Indeed, many Filipinos would prefer that he not seek political office (he is running for congress in the spring) because they believe that, no one, not even the mighty Pac Man, could avoid being corrupted in the political arena.
And yet with just a few comments, Floyd Mayweather has punched a hole in Pacquiao's image. If Pacquiao is to survive Mayweather's salvo and preserve his reputation, he needs to step forward and say that, while he is furious about the implication and is proceeding with the lawsuit, he will, for the good of boxing and his fans, submit to Olympic style testing.
The Pac Man has always crowed about his love of the sweet science and his followers, but does he have enough love to put aside his pride? If not, how are people to understand why he would storm away from 30 million dollars plus, and be willing to leave his legacy in Mark McGwire type tatters, just to avoid a few drug tests? Pacquiao has shown unprecedented toughness in the ring but he needs to show a different sort of toughness in order to get into the ring for the fight that his sport and fans demand.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
As the story goes, and there are many narratives buzzing around, the contest was all but a done deal when Floyd Mayweather and company demanded Olympic-style drug testing. Pacquiao went ballistic and refused to comply. With perhaps the biggest bout on record hanging on the ropes, representatives for the two parties went into mediation but to no avail. Now Pacquiao has signed to fight Joshua Clottey on March 13, and in keeping with their strife, Mayweather is eager to match up with someone else on the same night.
As irritating as Mayweather can be, he was within reason and his rights to be concerned about the possibility of the Pac Man using performance enhancing drugs. After all, Pacquiao has leapt over weight classes as though they were puddles. He is the only fighter to win titles in seven different weight classes, prompting boxing historian Bert Sugar to tab him the "Evil Knievel" of boxing. To be sure, others have jumped divisions but none so many and while retaining, if not increasing, their punching power. Moreover, Pacquiao has been likened to Lance Armstrong in his supreme conditioning. His ability to workout for hours at very intense levels with little need for days off and recovery time are not the kind of stories to allay suspicions about PED.
While some commentators have accused Mayweather of groping for an excuse to excuse himself from a fight with Pacquiao, it is a fact that elite boxers have been going into the medicine cabinet. Some have been caught. Some haven't. By and large boxing does not have either the infrastructure or the financial means to demand rigorous random testing for every fight. Although Mayweather and his Golden Boy Promotions should not have approached the issue in such a public manner, their worries about the use of steroids or human growth hormone were understandable.
On the other hand, Pacquiao has never tested positive for anything and so from his point of view there was no reason to single him out for tests that go beyond what is required by the Nevada Boxing Commission. Assuming his innocence, Pacquiao is right to take serious umbrage at the implication that chemistry is responsible for his astounding accomplishments. He would also be right to do what he has done, namely, file a law suit against Floyd Mayweather and Golden Boy for defamation of character. But that is not the end of it.
With his exciting style and masterful technique, Pacquiao has single handedly scraped boxing off of the canvas. A one time street kid from the Philippines, he has become a national treasure and, according to Time, one of the most important people in the world. Pacquiao's popularity is in large part due to the fact that he is seen as a symbol of purity. Indeed, many Filipinos would prefer that he not seek political office (he is running for congress in the spring) because they believe that, no one, not even the mighty Pac Man, could avoid being corrupted in the political arena.
And yet with just a few comments, Floyd Mayweather has punched a hole in Pacquiao's image. If Pacquiao is to survive Mayweather's salvo and preserve his reputation, he needs to step forward and say that, while he is furious about the implication and is proceeding with the lawsuit, he will, for the good of boxing and his fans, submit to Olympic style testing.
The Pac Man has always crowed about his love of the sweet science and his followers, but does he have enough love to put aside his pride? If not, how are people to understand why he would storm away from 30 million dollars plus, and be willing to leave his legacy in Mark McGwire type tatters, just to avoid a few drug tests? Pacquiao has shown unprecedented toughness in the ring but he needs to show a different sort of toughness in order to get into the ring for the fight that his sport and fans demand.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
Monday, January 11, 2010
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in popularity race with bouts on same night
Instead, it will be a commercial battle, and one of popularity, as they race off for pay per view buys on the same night. I wouldn’t mind betting that both contests nosedive tin views - as fans around the world have been registering distaste at the shenanigans emerging from the saga.
On Friday night, Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter at Top Rank, revealed that Pacquiao would defend the WBO welterweight title against former title holder Joshua Clottey - on March 13, at the NFL Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas.
Not to be outdone, by the end of the weekend, it was announced that Mayweather will fight at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on the same night. Talk about brinkmanship.
The MGM Grand was in the running to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight before the collapse of the contest after a dispute between the camps on the drug testing protocol. Shame. It was only being touted, realistically enough, as the highest grossing fight in history. More importantly, it was, and remains, the defining fight of this generation of boxers. Egos and one-upmanship is only damaging the sport in this instance.
Instead of the proposed megafight, Mayweather is now looking at the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell, or Kermit Cintron, although Richard Schaefer completely ruled out Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton.
"There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about Matthew Hatton. I can't tell you for sure who Floyd will fight, but I can tell you for sure it won't be Matthew Hatton," Schaefer told ESPN.com.
There is talk of Mayweather facing Shane Mosley, if Mayweather wins his March bout, although Mosley must also defeat the clever skills of Andre Berto in a welterweight unification fight on Jan 30. But the top of the boxing tree has itself in fine mess at the moment.
Source: telegraph.co.uk/
On Friday night, Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter at Top Rank, revealed that Pacquiao would defend the WBO welterweight title against former title holder Joshua Clottey - on March 13, at the NFL Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas.
Not to be outdone, by the end of the weekend, it was announced that Mayweather will fight at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on the same night. Talk about brinkmanship.
The MGM Grand was in the running to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight before the collapse of the contest after a dispute between the camps on the drug testing protocol. Shame. It was only being touted, realistically enough, as the highest grossing fight in history. More importantly, it was, and remains, the defining fight of this generation of boxers. Egos and one-upmanship is only damaging the sport in this instance.
Instead of the proposed megafight, Mayweather is now looking at the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell, or Kermit Cintron, although Richard Schaefer completely ruled out Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton.
"There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about Matthew Hatton. I can't tell you for sure who Floyd will fight, but I can tell you for sure it won't be Matthew Hatton," Schaefer told ESPN.com.
There is talk of Mayweather facing Shane Mosley, if Mayweather wins his March bout, although Mosley must also defeat the clever skills of Andre Berto in a welterweight unification fight on Jan 30. But the top of the boxing tree has itself in fine mess at the moment.
Source: telegraph.co.uk/
Mayweather also fighting on March 13
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will still compete against each other on March 13, but not in the ring. Instead, they will be duking it out for pay-per-view buys.
Two days after Top Rank's Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, announced plans for Pacquiao to defend his welterweight title against former titlist Joshua Clottey on March 13, Mayweather is making plans to fight on the same night.
While Pacquiao will face Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, just outside of Dallas -- Arum concluded a deal with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Sunday -- Mayweather will face an opponent to be determined at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Sunday night.
"It's a date Golden Boy has had for a long time and nothing has changed," Schaefer said. "We have been talking to Team Mayweather to see who the opponent will be. I hope to have something to announce in the next few days."
The MGM Grand was supposed to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight before it broke up for good on Friday over a month-long dispute between the camps on the drug testing protocol for a bout that many believed would be the highest grossing fight in history.
According to sources, Mayweather's list of potential opponents includes former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi and Golden Boy-promoted former lightweight titlist Nate Campbell, both smaller men than Mayweather, as well as former welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron, who is a similar kind of opponent as Clottey is for Pacquiao. There is also a more remote possibility of Mayweather facing junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., who has ties to Showtime, which may not want to let him walk away for a possible fight on rival HBO PPV.
One opponent Mayweather will not be facing is Matthew Hatton, the brother of former junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton, whom Mayweather knocked out in a 2007 welterweight title fight. Reports in Matthew Hatton's native England indicate that he is under consideration.
However, Schaefer said that is not the case.
"There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about Matthew Hatton. I can't tell you for sure who Floyd will fight, but I can tell you for sure it won't be Matthew Hatton," Schaefer said.
With Pacquiao and Mayweather going their separate ways against lesser opponents on competing pay-per-view cards, HBO, which has broadcast both fighters' biggest bouts on pay-per-view, is in a position where it will have to make a choice on whether it will support one fighter over the other or neither.
The network has been mum on its plans for March 13, although Arum and Schaefer both told ESPN.com that they have spoken to the network about their fights. Arum is also prepared to put on his event as a Top Rank-produced pay-per-view.
It would be highly unusual for there to be pay-per-view cards on the same night featuring major stars in separate bouts, but that is exactly what could happen.
"It is unusual, but what can I do," Schaefer said. "It wasn't Floyd who walked away from the Pacquiao fight. There is nothing I can really say about it. I've had the date [March 13] for a long time. Initially it was for the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones fight [which won't come off because Jones was knocked out in a Dec. 2 interim bout]. You know what? It is what it is. I'm not getting excited about it anymore. I am sitting outside having a cigar and [expletive]. It is what it is.
"It's not good. Its not good for Pacquiao to go on that date, which we had for a long time. We had that date, end of story. So it's not good. How can it be good? It's not good for boxing. It's not good for boxing that Pacquiao and Mayweather are not fighting each other. I worked really hard to make that happen and it's not. And I am not belittling Pacquiao's fight with Clottey. It's OK. Hey, we have a piece of [the promotional contract of] Pacquiao. But is it ideal? No it's not. Is it the end of boxing? Is the world collapsing? No it is not. We all have to look to March 14. March 13 will pass and on March 14 boxing will still be there and there will be exciting fights, and nothing will change that."
Schaefer said he was unsure what HBO planned to do, but he hoped it would support Mayweather's bout.
"Nobody wants competing fights. HBO doesn't want it," he said. "Nobody in their clear mind can be happy about Mayweather fighting somebody else or Pacquiao fighting somebody else. But we all have to live with it and accept. I'm a boxing fan too and I am pissed off about what happened. Anyone who says anything different is lying. I wish there had been something I could do about it, so I am very frustrated and disappointed, but Floyd Mayweather will still fight."
If Mayweather wins his March bout, Schaefer said he could next meet Shane Mosley, the welterweight champion (and Golden Boy partner) who first faces Andre Berto in a Jan. 30 unification fight. Before taking the fight with Berto, Mosley spent months trying to land a bout with either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
Source: espn.go.com
Two days after Top Rank's Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, announced plans for Pacquiao to defend his welterweight title against former titlist Joshua Clottey on March 13, Mayweather is making plans to fight on the same night.
While Pacquiao will face Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, just outside of Dallas -- Arum concluded a deal with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Sunday -- Mayweather will face an opponent to be determined at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Sunday night.
"It's a date Golden Boy has had for a long time and nothing has changed," Schaefer said. "We have been talking to Team Mayweather to see who the opponent will be. I hope to have something to announce in the next few days."
The MGM Grand was supposed to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight before it broke up for good on Friday over a month-long dispute between the camps on the drug testing protocol for a bout that many believed would be the highest grossing fight in history.
According to sources, Mayweather's list of potential opponents includes former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi and Golden Boy-promoted former lightweight titlist Nate Campbell, both smaller men than Mayweather, as well as former welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron, who is a similar kind of opponent as Clottey is for Pacquiao. There is also a more remote possibility of Mayweather facing junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., who has ties to Showtime, which may not want to let him walk away for a possible fight on rival HBO PPV.
One opponent Mayweather will not be facing is Matthew Hatton, the brother of former junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton, whom Mayweather knocked out in a 2007 welterweight title fight. Reports in Matthew Hatton's native England indicate that he is under consideration.
However, Schaefer said that is not the case.
"There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about Matthew Hatton. I can't tell you for sure who Floyd will fight, but I can tell you for sure it won't be Matthew Hatton," Schaefer said.
With Pacquiao and Mayweather going their separate ways against lesser opponents on competing pay-per-view cards, HBO, which has broadcast both fighters' biggest bouts on pay-per-view, is in a position where it will have to make a choice on whether it will support one fighter over the other or neither.
The network has been mum on its plans for March 13, although Arum and Schaefer both told ESPN.com that they have spoken to the network about their fights. Arum is also prepared to put on his event as a Top Rank-produced pay-per-view.
It would be highly unusual for there to be pay-per-view cards on the same night featuring major stars in separate bouts, but that is exactly what could happen.
"It is unusual, but what can I do," Schaefer said. "It wasn't Floyd who walked away from the Pacquiao fight. There is nothing I can really say about it. I've had the date [March 13] for a long time. Initially it was for the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones fight [which won't come off because Jones was knocked out in a Dec. 2 interim bout]. You know what? It is what it is. I'm not getting excited about it anymore. I am sitting outside having a cigar and [expletive]. It is what it is.
"It's not good. Its not good for Pacquiao to go on that date, which we had for a long time. We had that date, end of story. So it's not good. How can it be good? It's not good for boxing. It's not good for boxing that Pacquiao and Mayweather are not fighting each other. I worked really hard to make that happen and it's not. And I am not belittling Pacquiao's fight with Clottey. It's OK. Hey, we have a piece of [the promotional contract of] Pacquiao. But is it ideal? No it's not. Is it the end of boxing? Is the world collapsing? No it is not. We all have to look to March 14. March 13 will pass and on March 14 boxing will still be there and there will be exciting fights, and nothing will change that."
Schaefer said he was unsure what HBO planned to do, but he hoped it would support Mayweather's bout.
"Nobody wants competing fights. HBO doesn't want it," he said. "Nobody in their clear mind can be happy about Mayweather fighting somebody else or Pacquiao fighting somebody else. But we all have to live with it and accept. I'm a boxing fan too and I am pissed off about what happened. Anyone who says anything different is lying. I wish there had been something I could do about it, so I am very frustrated and disappointed, but Floyd Mayweather will still fight."
If Mayweather wins his March bout, Schaefer said he could next meet Shane Mosley, the welterweight champion (and Golden Boy partner) who first faces Andre Berto in a Jan. 30 unification fight. Before taking the fight with Berto, Mosley spent months trying to land a bout with either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
Source: espn.go.com
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Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao