Pacquiao vs Mayweather is off

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) -- The much-awaited March 13 fight between World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is off, ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo reported from the US on Thursday.

In an interview over radio dzMM, Castillejo said both sides failed to resolve their differences over random drug testing.

She quoted Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, as saying Pacquiao will still be fighting on March, but it will no longer be against Mayweather.

She said Arum was looking at Israeli Yuri Foreman as Pacquiao's opponent either on March 13 or 20 in Las Vegas.

Castillejo said this would allow Pacquiao to claim an 8th world title. Foreman is the current World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion.

She said that as a 154-lb. fighter, Foreman would be another heavier opponent for Pacquiao.

Citing her interview with Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, Castillejo said the Pacquiao camp had agreed to blood tests 24 days before the fight, not just random blood tests that the Mayweather camp was asking for.

"But still, the Mayweather camp rejected it. Hindi magkasundo so the fight is off," Castillejo said.

Castillejo said Pacquiao is "very disappointed" that fans will not be able to see him fight Mayweather.

However, Castillejo said Arum is "still looking at other possibilities and will decide over the next few days who the next opponent will be for Pacquiao."

‘He didn't want to lose’
Arum said retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein, who acted as mediator between the two parties, rang him to inform that the mega-buck fight won’t push through.

"The mediator called me [before 8 p.m.] and told me the fight was off," Arum told LATimes.com. "The fight's off, Mayweather never wanted it. Manny wanted the fight. He was agreeable to terms."

The promoters earlier wanted Pacquiao and Mayweather to star at news conferences in New York and Los Angeles next week.

However, Mayweather reportedly thumbed down the concessions offered by Pacquiao’s camp, which means that the richest boxing bout in recent history will not push through.

Both boxers stood to receive up to $40 million each in fight revenues had the super bout proceeded.

"I am disappointed in the sense this fight will not happen," Arum said. "I'm not surprised. I always knew Mayweather would kill it because he didn't want it. He didn't want to lose."

Source: abs-cbnnews.com