I don't need Manny Pacquiao. I make $70 million every time I fight - Floyd

LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. had to get his mouth stitched up. Victor Ortiz went scalp-to-chin against him in the corner, late in the fourth round Saturday.

Ortiz would be penalized rather drastically for that mistake, and for others, but it didn't keep Mayweather out of the clinic

Or off the microphone.

Somehow all that oral discomfort did not restrain Mayweather from declaring the following:

•“If I became a heavyweight and started beating the Klitschkos, everybody would say I was on something. But he can go from 105 to 154 and it's all right. Come on, guys.”

•“Everybody knew Ray Leonard was going to be a great athlete from the beginning. Everybody knew the same thing about Michael Jordan. Floyd Mayweather was always going to be a great athlete. But you turn 29 and all of a sudden you pop in here and start making a leap forward and beating people? It's not natural.”

• “He's got two bosses. He has to give up 30 percent of his revenue. I left Bob Arum because I wanted to fight for myself. Now I keep 100 percent of the revenue. They say I'm ignorant. Well, I must not be too ignorant if I'm keeping all the revenue.”

“I don't need Manny Pacquiao. I make $70 million every time I fight.”

Well, at least he's not obsessed with the guy.

Pacquiao-Mayweather is boxing's destination fight. It also has become the Mars landing of sports. Irresistible but no longer inevitable.

It became even more poignant Saturday night when Mayweather found a new way to win a championship match — give Ortiz the old one-two when Ortiz was waiting for the restart command from referee Joe Cortez.

Mayweather simply understood the fight had resumed before Ortiz did.

Now, it's true that a gentlemanly fellow such as Alexis Arguello or even Pacquiao would have waited until Ortiz was ready.

Mayweather's ambush was the rough boxing equivalent of Jered Weaver throwing strike one while Mark Teixeira was digging in.

Legal? Yes. Ethical? Irrelevant.

“He had just done me dirty (with the head butt) and then he wanted to be real nice,” Mayweather said. “So what goes around comes around. This is the hurt business.”

Gustavo Arrellano, Ortiz's manager, made some noises about going to the Nevada commission, but that will float about as well as his call for a rematch, even though Mayweather shrugged and said fine.

Maybe that would work if Ortiz had been winning the fight, but Mayweather's right hand was busy playing a Keith Moon drum solo on Ortiz's forehead.

“I was busting him up slowly,” Mayweather said. “He was going down at some point no matter what.”

Said Ortiz: “My strategy was to start taking over in the fifth or sixth round because we noticed Mayweather liked to start off strong.”

But Mayweather has changed his approach, too. He goes after people. It wasn't the safest play against Ortiz on paper but it looked fine for 11 minutes, 59 seconds.

“Everybody looks at my fights and thinks I can be beat,” Mayweather explained. “Once you get inside the ring against me, it's different.”

Since a fight with David “Big Papi” Ortiz might be more plausible than a rematch with Victor, what's next for Mayweather? For the near future, nothing.

“Some guys are told when to fight,” he said, referring to you-know-who again. They have to do it on this date and on that date. One of the great things about working for myself is that I can take 16 months off if I want to and spend it with my family. Is that all right?”

Sure. It's also OK if he fights Pacquiao before both men are AARP-eligible.

“I've been around all these years,” Mayweather said. “Where was he in 1999, 2000, 2001? When I fought (Juan Manuel) Marquez, everybody said he was too old. Well, that's who he's fighting now (Nov. 12). See, I'm in a no-win situation.”

He won't win this Mayweather vs. Larry Merchant match he's drumming up either. He cursed the 80-year-old HBO analyst in the ring, to which Merchant replied, “If I was 50 years younger, I'd kick your ass.” Merchant also has no problem with drug testing.

But Mayweather isn't all venom and fangs. When he talked of his support group, led by lawyer Al Haymon, manager Leonard Ellerbe and trainer/uncle Roger Mayweather, he briefly came to tears.

He wants to be known as the face of boxing, in the manner of Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson were. What bothers him is this new Filipino face.

“I'm not ducking and dodging anybody,” Mayweather said. “But all I want is a level playing field.”

But first, his mouth needed stitches. Presumably he had to close it first.

Source: ocregister.com

Pacquiao and Roach unimpressed on Mayweather's win over Ortiz!

By Dan Ambrose: WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach didn’t like what they saw of Floyd Mayweather’s controversial 4th round stoppage victory over WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz last Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While Pacquiao doesn’t see anything illegal with the two shots that Mayweather nailed Ortiz with in the 4th round after Ortiz had been deducted a point for a headbutt, Roach saw it as a “Cheap shot”.

Speaking with the Philippine Star, Pacquiao said “Very poor sportsmanship. It was not illegal.”

Roach said “The referee was still talking to someone [timekeeper?] at ringside. And I didn’t see him say ‘box’ like they always do. I think he [referee Joe Cortez] lost control.”

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz also described it as a “I agree that it was a cheap shot.”

I’m personally in agreement with them. I think it might have been legal, but the referee Cortez was concentrating on what appeared to be the timekeeper outside of the ring and he didn’t restart the fight the way that referees typically do by coming forward, motioning with their arms and telling the fighters to resume action.

I can see how Ortiz would have been confused and thinking that the fight still hadn’t been restarted. Mayweather clearly wasted no time in hitting Ortiz with a left hook, as he had just hugged him and was in the process of backing away when he got hit by Mayweather. It didn’t seem like a sporting move by Mayweather, and it had the affect of marring what could have been a great victory for him. Mayweather was in charge of the fight from the 2nd round on and was hitting Ortiz at will with straight hands in the 3rd and 4th. It was embarrassingly easy for Mayweather, but then he went and ruined it with shots while Ortiz wasn’t prepared to fight.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Pacquiao vs Mayweather - The only legitimate fight left!

Pacquiao vs Mayweather is the only fight that everybody in the boxing world would truly look forward to, but it won't happen until at least 2012. After his November bout against Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao should call Mayweather's drug testing bluff.

The two high-profile champions had an agreement to fight in early 2010, but the deal broke down after Mayweather's camp demanded drug testing similar to that done at Olympic events. Pacquiao, who is an extremely regimented person, declined the offer.

With $50 million in guaranteed money on the table at that point, it's amazing that an agreement couldn't be reached. It reeks of posturing on Mayweather's part in order to avoid the fight.

Pacquiao shouldn't have much trouble dispatching of Marquez, just like Mayweather had no problem with Victor Ortiz. The win over Ortiz moved Pretty Boy to 42-0 in his career. A win over Marquez would improve Pacquiao's record to 54-3-2.

However, Pac-Man has won his last 14 fights dating back to 2005.

In his post-match interview, Pacquiao should send shock waves throughout the sports world by announcing that he is willing to accept Mayweather's drug testing offer. Not only would the statement send fans into a tizzy, but it would force Money into a tough position.

Does he accept Pacquiao's offer, or does he back down and tarnish his legacy forever?

Mayweather had some tough words for 80-year-old HBO commentator Larry Merchant after his win over Ortiz, so it's clear he's trying to show off that tough-guy persona. If he wants to live up to it, however, there's no way he could back down from Pacquiao.

The problem for Pacquiao is that if he never agrees to advanced drug testing, there will be whispers about his rise to the top of the sport. Being able to cover seven divisions is a terrific feat, but it raises questions about how he was able to make such a seamless transition each time.

Pacquiao would likely be a sizable favorite in the bout, which would net both men huge paydays regardless of the outcome. Both Pac-Man and Money know how big of a fight it has the potential to be, and for the sake of the sport, they have to make it happen.

The ball is in Pacquiao's court to make Mayweather put up or shut up.

Source: bleacherreport.com

Mayweather vs Ortiz - Weigh in Video

Mayweather 146.5 LBS - Ortiz 147 LBS - Weight In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – When Floyd Mayweather grabbed WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz by the throat at the end of their weigh-in at the MGM Grand's Grand Garden Arena on Friday, Ortiz just laughed and did not retaliate. Some pushing and shoving ensued before it was broken up.

"It's all a big joke," Ortiz mumbled. "It's nothing."

Perhaps. This is the biggest stage Ortiz has been on and may ever be on. However, the 24-year-old with the amazing life story remained unruffled, and calmly told Mayweather, smiling, "you're going down, you're going down."

Mayweather, who is guaranteed $25 million for the fight, is a veteran of the big Las Vegas boxing stage and knows how to incite the crowd. And this crowd estimated at 4,000 was solidly in Ortiz's corner, including hundreds of fans who came in from the Garden City, Kan., area, where Ortiz — who is guaranteed by far his biggest payday at $2.5 million — grew up, and where his mother and eventually his father abandoned Ortiz and his siblings.

Almost unnoticed in the weigh-in crowd was Floyd Mayweather Sr., who got into a knock-down, drag-out shouting match with his son that was aired on the first episode of HBO's 24/7: Mayweather vs. Ortiz. This is the first time the elder Mayweather been seen in the same vicinity as his son since that much talked-about episode, which ended up with Mayweather Sr. being escorted from his son's gym. Mayweather did not acknowledge his father at the weigh-in.

Ortiz tipped the scales at 147 pounds, the welterweight limit, and Mayweather came in at 146½.
"I have been at this for 16 years," Mayweather said. "This is the first time for Ortiz.
"I just have to keep my composure, stick to my game plan, and listen to what my (trainer) Uncle Roger tells me."

The Mayweather-Ortiz extravaganza (HBO, 9 p.m. ET, pay-per-view) has been called the "Super Bowl" of boxing by its promoters, and HBO is giving it Super Bowl-style treatment.
If you subscribe to the premium network and are a boxing fan, HBO will sate your appetite for the highly anticipated fight between the undefeated, 34-year-old Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) and Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs), the WBC welterweight champion.

Source: usatoday.com

Smart marketing makes Mayweather ‘Money

LAS VEGAS – Richard Schaefer had had enough of Floyd Mayweather Jr. During a cross-country tour to promote the 2007 fight between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, Schaefer quickly grew irritated of Mayweather’s antics.

One day, Mayweather intercepted De La Hoya’s lunch. Another time, he swiped the Golden Boy’s gym bag. At one point during the cross-country tour, Mayweather brought a chicken with a gold medal around its neck onto stage at a news conference to mock his adversary, who had been unflatteringly dubbed “Chicken” De La Hoya by the great former New York Daily News boxing writer, Michael Katz.

The De La Hoya-Mayweather fight would go on to become the highest-grossing match in history, and Schaefer had more than enough work to keep him busy. Every day, it seemed, Schaefer got a call from De La Hoya complaining about yet another Mayweather prank. Angry, irritated and anxious to get back to work, Schaefer sought out Mayweather.

The one-time Swiss banker angrily confronted the superstar boxer and went nose-to-nose with him, telling Mayweather he didn’t appreciate his childish antics.

“It was an ugly conversation and confrontation, really ugly,” Schaefer said. “I actually told him, ‘If you continue with this behavior, I’m going to send you back to the plane and I’m going to send you home.’ He got upset and we were really going at each other hard.”

It wasn’t long, though, before Schaefer earned a grudging respect for Mayweather’s business sense. And a few months after Mayweather and De La Hoya set a pay-per-view record by selling 2.45 million units, Schaefer found himself seated next to Mayweather on a flight to London.

They had a conversation about promoting and marketing. Suddenly, Schaefer’s grudging respect turned to admiration. Mayweather, he discovered, was far brighter, more analytic and filled with clever ideas, than he’d ever imagined.

From his earliest days as a professional, Mayweather was adamant he should be marketed primarily to an urban market, and he proved correct. He has turned into the biggest pay-per-view draw in boxing, drawing numbers rivaled only in the sport’s history by ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. In his last four fights, he’s sold over 6 million pay-per-view units that have generated nearly $400 million.

On Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, he’ll meet Victor Ortiz for the World Boxing Council welterweight title in a bout that almost certainly will top 1 million sales and could exceed 1.5 million.

As great as he is as a fighter, however – rival promoter Lou DiBella believes Mayweather may deserve to be ranked in the top 10 all-time – he may even be better as a promoter. He knew he had to expand his audience, so after beating De La Hoya, he appeared on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” After a win over Ricky Hatton, Mayweather appeared on several WWE telecasts and ultimately was featured in Wrestlemania 24.

DiBella was an HBO executive more than a decade ago when Mayweather not only rejected a lucrative contract offer from the network, but he dismissed it as “slave wages.” Almost to a man, the boxing industry was outraged at Mayweather’s gall.

DiBella, who had worked long and hard on the deal, was apoplectic. Mayweather was barely into his career and had been offered what at the time was a massive deal, more than $12.5 million for six fights. Even though his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., urged him to accept it, Mayweather Jr. unhesitatingly said no.

“He called it a slave contract and I got really [angry],” DiBella said. “I told him that if he walked through Times Square with me and a single person recognized him, I’d reopen the negotiation. But here’s the amazing part of this story: The kid wasn’t happy with the way he was being promoted. He wanted to be promoted in a different way, to a different market. He and [Top Rank’s Bob] Arum fought for years over that. He finally got what he wanted. And guess what? He was right.

“The Dancing with the Stars thing worked. The WWE thing worked. And I wasn’t raised to throw $100 bills in the air, but you know what? That worked. It got him an awful lot of play. It got him a lot more play than if he’d paid 10 grand that month to a publicist.”

Mayweather signed with Arum’s Top Rank in 1996 after he won a bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics. Top Rank was, as now, one of the sport’s dominant promoters and tried to push Mayweather as the next Sugar Ray Leonard.

Top Rank had gone to extraordinary success with Leonard in the 1980s, pitching his good looks, a clean-cut persona and dazzling skills. The formula clearly worked.

Mayweather, like Leonard, was an Olympic medalist. He had the same good looks and dazzling skills. But he chafed at being pushed as the second coming of Leonard.

“He had great respect for Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali [men Arum promoted], but for as long as I’ve known him, he always pushed back on attempts to promote him as the next Leonard or the next Ali,” said Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s close friend and the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “He didn’t want to be the second anybody. He wanted to be the first Floyd Mayweather.”

Mayweather complained so incessantly about it that in early 2004, a few months after a Nov. 1, 2003, stoppage of Philip N’Dou, his attorney, John Hornewer, flew to Las Vegas to sit down with Arum and Arum’s stepson, Todd duBoef.

Hornewer and Ellerbe sat in Arum’s Las Vegas office and pitched Mayweather’s message: Promote me in the urban community and to the hip hop crowd. Dump the Sugar Ray Leonard campaign.

At the time, Top Rank was making a heavy push to promote to the Hispanic market, particularly in the Southwestern U.S. Arum wasn’t doing a lot of business in the urban market because there was a perception among boxing insiders at the time that that audience didn’t buy pay-per-view.

Mayweather believed that, given one of its own to root for, they would buy in big numbers. Hornewer said duBoef was open to considering the idea, but Arum was not.

Though Arum would promote Mayweather for more than two additional years, that was the beginning of the end of the relationship between Top Rank and Mayweather. But when Schaefer began promoting Mayweather’s fights in 2007, the relationship between them was initially not great.

“When we first did [HBO’s boxing reality series] ’24/7’, we bumped heads,” Mayweather said. “He didn’t understand me. But we got on a flight to London and we sat next to each other and we talked and talked. He said, ‘Floyd, I see things this way.’ And I said, ‘Well, I see things that way.’ We came to understand each other. It’s been a great relationship.”

Schaefer was amazed by Mayweather’s business acumen. Ellerbe said that long before former HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg developed the “24/7” series, Mayweather came to him and proposed a show that was essentially what would become “24/7.”

It draws big ratings and has become essential to promoters trying to sell a pay-per-view card. What it has really become is a vehicle for Mayweather to build his brand.

“24/7 is the Floyd Mayweather Show,” DiBella said. “When it’s not the Floyd Mayweather Show, with all due respect, it’s very ordinary. That’s fact. 24/7 was invented for him and, truthfully, Mayweather is the star of it. If he did another reality show, it would work. He’s a compelling personality. Whatever you think of him, he causes you to react.

Though the reality show was the vehicle that propelled him to stardom and made him a superstar in the general public, he had long since become an icon in the hip-hop community.

Ernesto Shaw, known professionally as DJ Clue, a DJ, rapper and prominent New York City radio personality, said in the hip-hop community, Mayweather is one of the three or four biggest sports figures. Mayweather is right at the level of NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, LeBron James of the Heat and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, he said.

“He’s part of the community and he speaks that language and he knows how to market it,” Clue said. “Floyd is flashy and shows that money and the fancy cars and the beautiful girlfriend. He’s got Mayweather Records and that helps. But he’s always doing something to keep himself relevant within the community.

“He’ll be out at the clubs hosting parties, going to strip clubs, that kind of thing. He also aligned himself with 50 Cent and that really helps him, too.”

Schaefer said Mayweather is one of the greatest self promoters he’s ever seen, but even Ellerbe admits that not all of his stunts work.

Earlier this year, when a federal judge in Las Vegas had ordered him to give a deposition in a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather was at a night club in Atlanta where he was videotaped burning a $100 bill.

It raised a huge backlash and Ellerbe said that Mayweather knows it was a mistake.

“First of all, that was the character, ‘Money Mayweather,’ not the man, Floyd Mayweather, who did that,” Ellerbe said. “But if he had it to do all over again, I think it would have come out differently. In the middle of a recession, with people looking for work, struggling and hurting for money like they are, we understand how that looked.”

Mayweather can be extraordinarily charitable, and often drives into inner city Las Vegas to feed homeless people. When boxer Genaro Hernandez – The man Mayweather beat in 1998 to win his first world championship – died after a long battle with cancer in June, Mayweather picked up the cost of the funeral. Mayweather, though, didn’t publicize it and declined to speak about it. It was Hernandez’s brother, Rudy, who told the story.

“That was incredible the kindness he showed our family,” Hernandez said.

Doug Stewart, the co-host of the sports talk radio show “2 Live Stews” on 790-AM in Atlanta, has been close to the hip-hop community for many years. He raves about Mayweather’s marketing genius and said he clearly has his finger on the pulse of the hip hop world, but Stewart said he fears Mayweather made a critical mistake when he erupted at his father in the opening episode of the current “24/7.”

What started as playful banter quickly turned into a nasty confrontation and Mayweather Sr. was escorted out of the gym owned by his son. The elder Mayweather will not attend Saturday’s bout, though he said he will buy the pay-per-view.

Stewart wasn’t taking sides, but said the ugly scene failed to go over well.

“He has all these crazy theatrics and does so many outlandish things to promote his fights, it proves his genius,” Stewart said. “But the one thing that everyone in the black community I’ve spoken with didn’t agree with was the blowup with his Dad on ’24/7.’ That’s the first thing he’s done where the feeling, from top to bottom in the black community, was unanimously against him. I know he lost points with me doing that.

“No matter what ill feelings you hold toward your father, at the end of the day, it’s still your father and your father deserves respect. It was way over the top. I’m one of the biggest Floyd fans there is. I always defend him and I think he’s one of the best ever to do it. But not even I could validate that huge argument with Senior. It was totally, totally uncalled for.”

Mayweather’s critics, of where there are legion, say that’s one of only many things he’s done that have been totally uncalled for. Mayweather is facing six separate lawsuits, as well as felony charges from a domestic violence case against the mother of his children, ex-girlfriend Josie Harris.

Mayweather wouldn’t comment on his legal cases, but said he’s largely misunderstood. He is, he said, only trying to enjoy his life and the perks that come with being one of the greatest boxers ever.

The monster depicted in the lawsuits is alien to him, he says. He doesn’t worry about what others choose to do and would prefer if he were offered the same courtesy.

“I never count the next man’s money or worry about what he’s doing or how he lives,” Mayweather said. “Each man lives how he wants to live and takes care of his family. Some people want to live, you know, a real just relaxed life. Me, myself, I’m animated. I’m happy, full of energy. You only got one time here on Earth, so me, if I only got one time, I’m going to have fun.

“When I get to be [cutman] Rafael [Garcia’s] age, I still want to have fun. I want to be his age, dancing like he does. I’m energized, I’m happy and that’s how I want to live my life, having fun. Money don’t make me. I make money, but money don’t make me. It doesn’t define who I am as a person.”

Source: yahoo.com

Freddie Roach: Fight against Floyd wont happen!

Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach remains pessimistic on the chances of his charge fighting Floyd Mayweather Jnr, despite the positive noises emanating from both camps over the past couple of weeks.

At a press conference to promote his September clash with Victor Ortiz, Mayweather confirmed he was "absolutely" interested in fighting Pacquiao for the title of the planet's pound-for-pound king.

Then, more importantly, Pacquiao's trainer Bob Arum revealed the Filipino was willing to meet Mayweather's demand for random drug-testing up until fight night, prompting speculation the bout could go ahead next year.

But Roach thinks that another of his pupils, WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan, has more of a chance of facing off against Mayweather.

"I don't think Mayweather will ever fight Manny Pacquiao," said Roach to mlive.com. "They have a better chance of getting Mayweather into the ring than Manny. If the fight was going to happen, it would've happened already."

The situation is complicated by the ongoing legal proceedings between Mayweather and Pacquiao, who has launched a defamation lawsuit against his American rival.

Source: espn.co.uk

Nacho Beristain: Manny will beat Floyd

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain is confident that should a Pacquiao vs Mayweather superfight ever happen, Pacquiao will "definitely" come out as the victor.

Beristain, who trains Pacquiao's next opponent Juan Manuel Marquez, told BoxingInsider.com that, "It won't be an easy fight but Pacquiao will win."

Beristain said the Pacquiao-Mayweather bout is very important for boxing, but it should not happen.

"It's a very good, important fight but that fight should not happen, because I believe that Pacquiao will beat Mayweather. You're gonna take away the glory that has made Mayweather these past years," Beristain said.

Beristain is very familiar with Pacquiao, having trained Marquez for both his fights against the Filipino ring icon.

"Everybody picks Mayweather to win the fight because he wins so much against easy fighters, but Pacquiao is just too tough, too strong," Beristain said.

Beristain said that the key to Pacquiao's success was his hard work.

"He just works too hard. His training is too hard," said the Mexican.

Marquez is set to meet Pacquiao for the 3rd time in November.

"Juan Manuel has beaten him twice," Beristain said, referring to the controversy surrounding the first two Pacquiao-Marquez battles.

Their first bout in 2004 ended in a controversial draw and the rematch in 2008 ended in a close split decision for Pacquiao.

"If Juan Manuel does his work very good, he can win the fight," Beristain said.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Arum: Pacquiao camp OKs random testing

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing promoter Bob Arum said the camp of Manny Pacquiao has agreed to random drug testing for the superfight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. to push through.

Arum said in an ESPN report that the Filipino boxing superstar agreed to random testing as long as it will be done by a neutral organization.

"We have agreed in the Pacquiao camp to unlimited random testing done by a responsible, neutral organization," Arum said. "We don't believe USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) is a neutral organization.”

Arum said they can arrange for an Olympic organization to handle the random drug testing.

He added that the drug tests will be supervised by an athletic commission respective of the state where the fight will take place.

"I don't think anybody's test is as vigorous as the test administered by the Olympic Organization,” said Arum.

Mayweather earlier said that he will only agree to a superfight against Pacquiao if the latter undergoes USADA random drug testing.

“If Mayweather says he's agreeable to us, then we can have the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight next year," said Arum.

Pacquiao is already scheduled for a third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12.

Mayweather, on the other hand, will clash against Victor Ortiz on September 17.

Boxing observers believe Mayweather chose to fight the lefthanded Ortiz to prepare himself against Pacquiao, who is also a southpaw.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

New deflection in Mayweather-Pacquiao testing controversy: Fan’s take

Garnering headlines and stoking the fading fire of a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight, Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, just came out with a statement that can only be considered a Grade-A deflection and yet another hurdle that seems more focused on avoidance than compromise.

"We have agreed in the Pacquiao camp to unlimited random testing done by a responsible, neutral organization." Arum told AC/Yahoo. "We don't believe USADA is a neutral organization…When you have a Philippine fighter and an American fighter? Wouldn't it be better if it would be done by the Olympic drug-testing organization?"

The USADA that Arum is referring to is the United States Anti-Doping Agency, "the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American and Paralympic sport in the United States."

The non-profit organization, almost completely funded through US government grant, works in conjunction with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the organization that handles all Olympic testing protocol for performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). The USADA not only uses the exact same procedures and methodology, but they also report directly to WADA, as well as the International Olympic Committee.

In short, the USADA is the only approved organization to administer Olympic-style random testing within the boundaries of the United States. When WADA wants to conduct testing within the US, they turn to the USADA.

"I don't think anybody's test is as vigorous as the test administered by the Olympic Organization," Arum said in the same interview.

But, the USADA does adhere to the same testing protocol. As a matter of fact, they are the ones who actually do the testing.

Arum's apparent new-found love of random testing can be seen as downright insulting to the intelligence of the fans. He supports Olympic-style testing, except not by the agency that actually does it.

The 79-year-old promoter also stated his mistrust of any blood testing not "done under the auspices of a boxing commission."

"We can arrange for the Olympic Organization to handle the test under the supervision of the Athletic commission respective of the state where the fight is going to be held," Arum declared. "USADA tests these two fighters and the Nevada State Athletic Commission is responsible for the fight. So, if one of the fighters is tested dirty, what can happen? I mean, nobody can sort this thing out. This is absolutely absurd!"

So, in essence, Arum is willing to compromise on Olympic-style testing for the fight, except not by the agency that would actually be able to handle it and only under the supervision of a boxing commission not really familiar with testing protocol and not even in favor of utilizing it within their own jurisdiction.

More and more, it looks as though the mega-fight between boxing's two biggest draws will forever be held up by rhetoric, half-truths, and empty words. And Bob Arum, one of the key figures in this mess, just seems content on adding more twists and turns to the already jumbled maze.

Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com

Anti-doping agency says no bias against Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has no bias or prejudice against Manny Pacquiao or any other athlete.

This is what the agency told Examiner.com after Top Rank boss Bob Arum said that USADA was not a “neutral organization.”

Arum earlier announced that the Pacquiao camp had agreed to random drug testing for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., provided that the testing will be done by a neutral organization.

The boxing promoter said that USADA was not a neutral organization and that they can arrange for an Olympic organization to handle the random drug testing.

But USADA’s media relations manager, Annie Skinner, said there is no bias against Pacquiao.

“We certainly do not have a bias against any athlete,” Skinner said. “We do not have a bias (favoring) one athlete over another. All athletes are presumed to be clean until such time as they are proven otherwise.”

Arum had alleged that the head of USADA, lawyer Travis Tygart, favors Mayweather. Tygart had previously referred to Mayweather in public as “the clean athlete.”

Skinner asserted that the USADA is the gold standard for drug testing in the United States.

“We completely adhere to all the international standards as promulgated by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency),” Skinner said. “No other organization in the US does the type of gold standard testing that we do."

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao vs Mayweather won't happen! - Schaefer

Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, doesn't expect a mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to take place in 2012. Both of the boxers have fights scheduled for the fall. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown against Juan Manuel Marquez in a trilogy bout on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Mayweather will challenge WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 18, which also takes place at the MGM Grand.

Despite both fighters having commitments for the fall, the boxing public continues to chant for a mega-fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. But Schaefer is confident the fight won't happen, and it doesn't have anything to do with money or random Olympic style drug testing. Schaefer has no doubt that Ortiz will defeat Mayweather in September.

"Victor is in an amazing position. He is able to face the best fighter in the world. A fighter who hasn't fought in 16 months [by the time of the fight] and has had a lot of distractions outside of the ring that he's had to deal with. Let's face it, he can't hurt Victor Ortiz, but Victor can hurt him," Schaefer told BoxingScene.com's Luis Sandoval.

"I don't think the [Pacquiao vs Mayweather] fight is going to happen. And I don't think that it's not going to happen because Mayweather doesn't want to do it or Pacquiao doesn't want to do it....or the split or the drug testing. I'll tell you what's going to be the reason on why the fight is not going to happen. The reason is - Victor Ortiz is going to beat Floyd Mayweather."

Source: boxingscene.com

Judge denies Mayweather appeal on Pacquiao case

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Undefeated prizefighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have to give testimony to lawyers for rival Manny Pacquiao sooner than he wants after a federal judge in Las Vegas denied his request to push back a deposition in a defamation case.

In a lawsuit first filed in 2009, Pacquiao claims Mayweather and his camp defamed him by saying he used performance-enhancing drugs.

U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks this week denied Mayweather a protective order excusing him from a deposition that was scheduled June 17. Mayweather missed the deposition, and Pacquiao's lawyers said at the time that they planned to seek a default judgment as a result.

Mayweather gave no legal basis for asking to overturn a lower judge's order to hold the deposition, Hicks said in his ruling.

"Mayweather Jr. does not provide any points and authorities in support of his motion other than to state that this court should reverse the magistrate's order," Hicks said.
Hicks did not award Pacquiao a default judgment.

Mayweather's lawyer didn't return messages seeking comment from The Associated Press. In the appeal, he asked to hold a hearing to talk about the boxer's training regimen as he prepares for a Sept. 17 fight against welterweight champion Victor Ortiz.

Pacquiao's lawyers countered that the appeal was irrelevant, in part because they tried several times to set a date that would have worked for Mayweather before his training camp and promotional tour started. Ten previous dates were rejected, Pacquiao's attorneys said.

The suit was originally filed as both sides were negotiating terms on what many believe would be the richest fight in history. The talks fell apart over demands from Mayweather that the fight use more stringent drug testing than what is required under Nevada regulations. Mayweather wanted blood tests up to 14 days before the fight, while Pacquiao claimed he feels weak after drawing blood and would not agree to testing within 24 days.

In New York this week, Mayweather said he has talked about athletes overall using drugs, not specifically Pacquiao.

"I've never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids, I never said he was taking enhancement drugs," Mayweather said.

"It's not just Pacquiao, it's sports, period," Mayweather said. "If you look at sports in the Olympics, they're cheating. Everyone is cheating. And I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating, only thing I said was this: Me and any other opponent I face must take the test."

Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Floyd: Mosley told me to demand drug test

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has claimed that a former opponent of Manny Pacquiao advised him to insist his drug test demand against Filipino superstar.

Mayweather said in a video posted on Fighthype.com that he was able to get in touch with "Sugar" Shane Mosley following the latter's defeat to Pacquiao last May.

"Me and Shane talked and he told me the truth. These words that Shane told me: 'Floyd, if I was you, I'll make Pacquiao take the test,'" said the outspoken American boxer.

Mayweather had repeatedly insinuated that the Filipino champion was into performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

This forced Pacquiao to pursue a defamation suit against Mayweather.

The American boxer, however, snubbed a court-ordered deposition in relation to Pacquiao's defamation case.

Who called who?
Mayweather made the claim during the press tour for his upcoming fight against Victor Ortiz.

"Once you guys meet up with Shane Mosley, ask him what he told me…I talked to Shane Mosley on the phone. I didn't call nobody, I don't have Shane's number, but I was able to get in touch with Shane," said Mayweather.

Mosley suffered a lopsided decision to the power-punching Pacquiao last May. The Filipino scored a 3rd-round knockdown en route to the unanimous decision win.

Mayweather also boasted that he is a better fighter than Pacquiao, citing that he can adapt to any kind of opponent.

He claimed that he quickly rose to stardom compared to Pacquiao.

"He was pro before me but he was a preliminary fighter. And I moved quickly," said Mayweather.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Floyd: Manny Pacquiao you’re next !

Mayweather gave Ortiz plenty of credit, insisting he would never lose sight of his next fight, but still, his comments came back to the Philippine congressman.

"I’m never going to overlook a guy like Victor Ortiz," Mayweather said. "He’s young, he’s strong and he’s the WBC welterweight champion of the world. ... To be the best, you got to beat the best in front of you.

"We only want to fight the biggest and the best out there, and yes, Manny Pacquiao you’re next."

Mayweather last fought May 1, 2010, defeating Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Ortiz’s layoff has been drastically shorter, winning the WBC belt from Andre Berto in April.

Source: bostonherald.com

Mayweather: I never said Pacquiao is on steroids!

NEW YORK (AP)—It seems Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will be forever linked, regardless of whether they ever face each other in the ring.

The two have danced around the richest fight in boxing for several years, unable to come to terms. Meanwhile, their animosity has grown to the point that Pacquiao has a pending defamation lawsuit alleging Mayweather unfairly accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

So it’s not surprising that Mayweather spent just as much time answering questions about Pacquiao on Tuesday as he did about Victor Ortiz, the welterweight champion whom he’ll face in his next fight on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I’ve never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids, I never said he was taking enhancement drugs,” said Mayweather, who failed to turn up for a court-ordered deposition in Las Vegas earlier this month involving the defamation suit.

“I want to fight the best they got out there, not just him, the best they got out there,” Mayweather said, “and if he’s on the list as one of the best guys, then absolutely.”

Mayweather said he’s willing to fight Pacquiao if there is random blood and urine testing, which is more stringent than the protocol used by most state athletic associations. Mayweather said Pacquiao’s team would only agree to blood and urine testing at certain times.

“It’s not just Pacquiao, it’s sports, period,” Mayweather said. “If you look at sports in the Olympics, they’re cheating. Everyone is cheating. And I never once said Manny Pacquiao was cheating, only thing I said was this: Me and any other opponent I face must take the test.”

Mayweather will be returning to the ring for the first time since defeating Shane Mosley in May 2010, though the undefeated former champion has made plenty of news since then.

Last Friday, 21-year-old Anthony Cliff filed a lawsuit accusing Mayweather of ordering his bodyguards to attack the man outside the Palms Casino Resort on March 27, 2010.

The lawsuit accuses Mayweather of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of employees.

Mayweather also faces felony charges stemming from a domestic argument and misdemeanor harassment and battery charges in separate cases.

“When you’re young, black and rich, you go through things in life,” Mayweather said. “But I’m a strong individual. I can survive through anything.”

Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, declined to discuss the litigation.

“We focus on the business part and the boxing part,” Ellerbe said. “We let the attorneys handle the legal stuff.”

Mayweather and Ellerbe joined several hundred fans inside the Hudson Theater in New York City to kick off a promotional tour for the fight against Ortiz, who is coming off a career-defining victory over Andre Berto that made him the WBC welterweight champion.

Ortiz said he doesn’t mind that people want to talk about Pacquiao—even if that person is Mayweather—because he’s staring at the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m supposed to be a piece of nothing, I’m not supposed to be here, according to the statistics,” said Ortiz, whose parents abandoned him when he was young, forcing him and his five siblings to live in foster care. “I’m tired of, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that.”’

Early in his career, Ortiz was anointed the next Mexican-American superstar by Oscar De La Hoya, whose company promotes him. But his meteoric rise met a wall when he fought Marcos Maidana two years ago. Ortiz was losing after six rounds and essentially quit in the ring, one boxing’s cardinal sins, and fans and the media were quick to write him off.

Ortiz has been spectacular on the slow road to redemption, though, and in April climbed off the canvas twice to beat Berto as the heavy underdog and win the welterweight championship.

“I realize he’s a great fighter, but since I was 9 years old, I always said I’d fight Mayweather one day as champion of the world, and check it out,” Ortiz said. “It’s crazy.”

Ortiz said he asked to fight Mayweather or Pacquiao after his most recent fight, even though he heard whispers from people—including some in his own promotional company—who said he was overmatched or out of his mind. But he wanted to fight the best in the world, and depending who you ask, he may have achieved that by landing a shot at Mayweather.

As for Mayweather’s plan to fight Pacquiao next?

“There’s only one problem,” Ortiz said. “I’m fighting Pacquiao next.”

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Paquiao keeping an eye on Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is taking Floyd Mayweather’s scheduled fight with Victor Ortiz as a sign of good things to come.

“Maybe he wants to fight me now,” said Pacquiao in a recent interview with ABS-CBN before he took off for a quiet vacation with his family in Boracay.

The pound-for-pound champion has been in the island paradise for almost a week now, staying in a place owned by his close friend Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Pacquiao was supposed to leave for the United States last Sunday for a previous commitment. But there was a change of plan, and instead the entire family flew to Boracay.

Pacquiao said Mayweather choosing Ortiz, a 24-year-old southpaw, as his opponent on Sept. 17 could be taken as a sign that the American is gearing up for the Filipino congressman.

Mayweather hasn’t fought since May of 2010, when he outpointed Shane Mosley, and coming out of his shell to fight Ortiz is something that left a lot of people guessing on his immediate plans.

“Maybe that’s why he chose to fight a southpaw,” said Pacquiao.

Twice over the last couple of years, a superfight between Pacquiao and Mayweather came close to happening. But for various reasons it never happened, and others have given up on it.

But there’s too much money on the table that sooner or later, perhaps by the first quarter of 2012, it might happen.

Pacquiao vs Mayweather would be the richest fight in boxing. Both fighters stand to earn no less than $40 million each for the fight, even as recent stories said Mayweather is asking for $100 million or the fight won’t happen at all.

Pacquiao has been busy through the years beating up bigger foes like Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Mosley. He said he’s ready to fight Mayweather anytime, anywhere.

It’s just a matter of the promoters agreeing to do the fight, according to Pacquiao, and both fighters agreeing on the drug-testing procedure.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, felt the same way when it was announced that the undefeated American, now 34, had chosen Ortiz (29-2-2 with 22 knockouts) as his next foe.

“Of course, that’s the first thing I thought,” Roach was quoted as saying of Mayweather’s fight with the reigning WBC welterweight champion and fellow American.

Pacquiao said he can only wait and see what the future holds, what Mayweather wants.

For the meantime, he’s enjoying Boracay with his wife and kids, and looking forward to his November clash with Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Good luck sa kanya (Mayweather),” said Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. skips deposition

Floyd Mayweather Jr. defied a court order Friday when he failed to appear for a deposition in the defamation lawsuit filed in Las Vegas by pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather tried to postpone the deposition at the last minute, but federal magistrate Judge Robert Johnston denied his request Thursday and ordered Mayweather to appear Friday.

Pacquiao is suing Mayweather, along with his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather, over statements they made accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs for his fights.

Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division champion and a reigning welterweight titleholder, denies he has ever used PEDs.

"Mr. Mayweather maliciously leveled false accusations about Mr. Pacquiao. We are anxious to examine him under oath about those statements," Daniel Petrocelli, Pacquiao's attorney, said in a statement. "He is just dodging his deposition because he is afraid to testify, but he has no right to defy a court order."

Leonard Ellerbe, a Mayweather adviser, told ESPN.com, "This is a legal matter and we're not allowed to comment on it."

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Mayweather ordered to testify in Pacquiao case

Pacquiao vs Mayweather will not be in the ring anytime soon. As Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been ordered by a judge to testify starting Friday in a case involving pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao.

On Thursday, Federal Magistrate Judge Robert Johnston denied an emergency motion filed by Mayweather, who is being sued by Pacquiao. Mayweather is being led to court for allegedly using defamatory statements accusing Pacquiao of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

The news comes nearly three weeks after Pacquiao settled his defamation lawsuit against Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer over allegations that Pacquiao used PEDs. The lawsuit against De La Hoya and Schaefer was settled on confidential terms and dismissed.

Mayweather was also named in the original suit, filed in December 2009, which stemmed from the contentious leadup to a possible fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao the following year.

Mayweather and Pacquiao never fought, at least in part because Pacquiao wouldn't agree to the Olympic-level drug testing suggested by Mayweather.

The next fight for Mayweather is scheduled for September 17 against Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title.

Source: miamiherald.com

Pacquiao vs Mayweather will happen after all

After Manny Pacquiao agreed to fight Marquez this November, Floyd Mayweather was just silently negotiating for a fight. It was reported first on the forums after a poster had seen it on boxrec.com that Mayweather vs Ortiz will be fighting. At first I didn’t believed it since boxrec.com is sometimes not really credible. Second, Mayweather’s choice was really Andre Berto but he was upset against Ortiz. And lastly his court hearings that will be his hindrance in getting back to the ring.

Not until Mayweather announced this week via his Twitter account that he will fight Victor Ortiz for WBC 147 Belt this September. And that is the reason why Mayweather is preparing for Pacquiao bout next year. Ortiz just like Pacquiao is a lefty and packs a power. Though Pacquiao has a blinding speed, Ortiz is not fast but they have similarity in weapons of choice the STRAIGHT LEFT.

Mayweather has really problems against lefty especially with a straight left, which his shoulder roll cannot block it. Picking Ortiz will be a good tune up for Mayweather thought slightly dangerous on the paper but it will be totally mismatch on the fight night.

Once Pacquiao and Mayweather dismantle their dance partner this year they could meet next year for 100 million each and could be the biggest fight in boxing history.

Floyd Be Floyd, Stop Begging Him To Fight Pacquiao!

So he turned up his nose at $65 million bucks. Floyd Mayweather, with $65 million reasons to say yes, instead said no, I will not at this time fight Manny Pacquiao.

Difficult to believe, isn't it? We've all played the game "what would you do for a million dollars?" game with pals, and suffice to say, the bulk of us would allow ourselves to be semi debased and disgraced in exchange for securing a fat pile of loot. $65 million, even chopped up into portions for the taxman, and management types, is actually an obscene pile of loot.



The liberal softie in me does some math calculations in my head, dreams of all the good that $65 million could do. Starving kids in Africa could get plenty of nourishment for a long spell with that dough. You could build a real nice cancer wing in a big city hospital for that. And the jokester in me points out that you could get the IRS off your back if you owed him back taxes, if you said yes to $65 million.

But Floyd said no.

Promoter Bob Arum told videographer Elie Seckbach that despite his being an optimist, he now believes Mayweather will never fight Pacquiao. Arum said last week "legitimate people" from Signapore put $65 million on the table for Mayweather to meet Pacman, and "he turned it down...What does that tell you? It tells you he doesn't want to fight Manny Pacquiao."

"Everybody who knows boxing knows Manny Pacquiao would clean his clock," said Arum, skillfully speaking to Mayweather's ego, trying to get him to take the bait, and spurn all those people who know boxing. (By the way, count me out in this Arum scenario...I still lean toward Mayweather, one of if not THE best defender boxing has ever seen, if and when he and Pacquiao meet. I thought Manny took a half step back against Mosley, and wasn't impressed at times with his footwork as he tried to track down Mosley, who was in "not be hit" mode for 95% of the night.)

Arum said Floyd's legacy will take a hit if he doesn't fight Manny, that his record should be 41-1, because he has ducked Manny.

You might think that I will now delve into conjecture, and ponder reasons why Mayweather hasn't embraced the challenge. You might suspect that I will offer my belief that Mayweather enjoys the thrill of the chase as much as the actual preparation and combat, that he gets off on being wooed, on being romanced. You might think I'll offer some speculation on his psyche, talk about his fear of losing, of a fragility of ego. But I won't.

It's time for all of us to ditch the speculation, end the water cooler chats, cease the discussion as to why Mayweather won't fight Pacquiao.

Mayweather has made up his mind, and we have reached the point where the situation is ludicrous. Too much time has been wasted on trying to convince this man to do something he's not inclined to do. For two years, the keyboard tappers have churned out column after column, talking about blood tests, and PED allegations, and played amateur shrink as we covered the "will he or won't he" drama...Well, the drama has become stale, played out. The plotlines have been exhausted. There is nothing new, nothing fresh to be reported. What's next, Floyd will be offered $100 million to fight Pacquiao, and will turn that down?

Let's move on and deal with the concrete, with athletes who unabashedly seek the the challenges that make great sportsmen into legends. Let's focus on the people who don't shrink from the possibility of failure, for whatever reason, and luxuriate in what it is that makes them what they are. Let's let Mayweather fade away, build his brand, brag about his bets, however he wants to spend his time, and if and when he's ready to rock, and sign on to meet Manny, then we'll play along.

Source: thesweetscience.com

Mayweather's Below the Belt Tactics against Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp will do anything to be constantly in the shadows of Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao. While Mayweather and company have made it pretty tough for the much-awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather clash to materialize, they are making sure that they won’t be left out in the cold - at least not yet.

Notorious for making all the excuses a person can think of, Mayweather is known as the author of blowing up the much publicized steroid and performance-enhancing drugs issue pointing to the Saranggani Congressman. The issue has drawn varied reactions from pro and anti-Pacquiao camps but just the same, nothing has been proven and Manny is simply laughing them off.

It has been an irritating issue that has recurred and become pointless. Medical professionals have openly deliberated on the matter, sharing their medical inputs concerning the potential aftermath of using such banned substances. Regardless, the issue has become a broken record and is notably up in the air prior and after Pacquiao enters the ring.

On the professional side, Pacquiao is simply minding his business and continues to take on comers. Even without Mayweather in the list, the Pacquiao main events have been box office hits any boxing fan looks forward to. In fact, the probability of seeing Pacquiao retiring without facing Mayweather looms should the latter continue with his arrogant stand.

As for the unbeaten and rapidly aging Mayweather, his stars are slowly falling. Already stricken out of the pound for pound circle, he has managed to accumulate lawsuits and charges one after the other. The last of these series of problems is that of a criminal complaint which claimed that the former pound for pound king has committed two misdemeanor acts of harassment (LA Times Blog).

As for the PacMan, the mental attacks continue. The Mayweather camp starring Floyd Jr., his father Floyd Sr. and lately even his uncle, are out to try and tarnish the Pambansang Kamao’s credibility for as long as they can.

Foul as it may seem, the strategy is simply to stay in circulation to make sure that Mayweather is not totally erased (or forgotten) in the boxing circle. And by golly, it has been working at the expense of the Filipino prized boxer.

Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao has once again opened the books on possibly pushing through with his planned lawsuits against the Mayweather camp. If ever Pacquiao resorts to step one, you can bet Mayweather to once again keep quiet and wait for everything to cool down.

However, that is a conservative approach. And if ever the Pacquiao camp does decide to pursue this case, it looks like they now have to get in line with the many cases the Floyd Mayweather Jr. has to deal with.

Source: mb.com.ph

Mayweather to Pacquiao - "Just take the test"

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr in a recent 8 part video interview conducted by FightHype.com showed the fans his robe and boots that he had already designed for the fight Vs. Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather says that he was under the impression that the fight was a go. Floyd tells the fans that he had agreed to his end of the bargain, but that Pacquiao never did.

Listen to Part 8 of the interview HERE

The 8 part video interview does shed some light on Mayweather's side of things. 8CN gives all sides a fair shake, so we will give credit where credit is due and report what Floyd had to say during the interview.

Throughout the interview Mayweather on more than one occasion said, "Just take the test." This of course meaning that Pacquiao take random blood tests up to the day of the fight. The video interview gives boxing fans an opportunity to see Floyd away from boxing and in a more relaxed type of atmosphere. The multiple part interview gave Mayweather an opportunity to clear some things up that according to Floyd were misreported.

8CN has reported on more than one occasion that Floyd has indeed helped the homeless folks in Vegas and that he has done good charity work. This being said, we also reported on the arrests that were made on him, and his rants on Twitter and YouTube. Nobody is perfect, and Floyd is a human being just like the rest of us are.

Floyd has said some hateful things toward Filipinos in the past, so he will have quite a bit of damage control to do in order to regain some of their respect. That being said, it's not too late for Floyd to do what he has to do in order to regain a lot of support that he has lost over the past few years.

In the video interview, the fans do get to see a more relaxed and much less cocky Floyd Mayweather Jr. There is no doubt that Floyd knows how to sell tickets, and he plays the bad guy role like no other. Hopefully he can get the legal issues behind him, and we can get back to focusing on boxing again.

8CN will be reaching out to Team Pacquiao in the VERY near future for their side of things.

Source: 8countnews.com

Peddling bad blood

It’s no shame to confess that I chose to joining issues with the mainstream, after all, over the frenzy and hoopla generated by the speculated ring encounter between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather for all the marbles. It’s been so tempting.

Pro boxing could well steal the thunder in a year (2011) both the Olympics and the World (football) Cup are on vacation. But, whereas the companion world heavyweight title unification fixture involving the Klitschko dynasty (Vs Englishman David Haye) is confirmed, Pacman Vs Mayweather remains the king-sized speculation it has been since a few smart alecs first came up with the idea nearly two years ago.

My friend and colleague, Stanley Opokuma, keeps wondering aloud if ever – and, indeed, when – this presumed mega-event that is expected to surpass any other fixture in the history of ring combat will come up. At this moment of writing, it is still nowhere close to confirming both camps have accepted the challenges and paved the way for formalities to get underway.

Predictably, it is the view of the vast majority that the blitzkrieging Pacquiao will account for the Pretty Boy the same way he had left his last 13 opponents mangled, since embarking on the amazing trans-divisional invasion that has seen the Filipino win 10 titles scanning seven weight classes. Methinks it is because he has never met Mayweather.

It is the established thinking in boxing circles that a boxer – no matter how good he is – tends to leave his punch behind him as he transits to higher categories. True enough, proven ring legends from the past, including Robert ‘Hands of Stone’ Duran and Henry Armstrong, merely overwhelmed their foes with guile and sheer volume of punches thrown.

Pacquiao has proved to be exception to the proven theory, delivering improved versions of the same consuming aggression and punch that is his major forte as one that cannot be resisted by any boxer 147 pounds and under.

However, it is the new shape this cherished event is taking that bothers me. No matter what, boxing is a sport that is played by normal humans, as opposed to the sister wrestling which is largely determined by actors/actresses following the script.

Not that boxing has never had its own script and actors. Perhaps the most notable actor of them all has to be Muhammad Ali who was the game’s greatest salesman. Whatever he did during his active fighting days was intended to promote/sell tickets for his bouts.

Ali called his opponents names for which he may not have been pardoned till this day. He called Joe Frazier an Uncle Tom at the time Ali was contending with the US establishment. Next, he called him a gorilla in the days leading to the memorable Thriller in Manila in 1975.

At that time, Muhammad Ali was beginning to feel the threat of losing his place to a rival who was the main factor while he (Ali) remained inactive. But it was all so decently orchestrated as it left no bad blood with the generality of the populace till this day.

Floyd Mayweather feels the threat of losing his place he had earned during his fighting days. It is 40 months Pretty Boy has been out of contention since dispatching Englishman Ricky Hatton in defense of his welterweight marbles December 2007. He has engaged in just two non-threatening non-title contests vs Juan Marquez and Shane Mosley.

In Mayweather’s absence, Pacquiao has taken over every available space with truly breath-taking performances that have caught all attention. Which leaves the immediate ex-Pound-for-Pound king with very little left.

But while Ali went about the campaign to reclaim his glory from Frazier in a decent way, same cannot be said of what Pretty Boy is up to. Thus far, Mayweather has embarked on a smear campaign that is only marginally short of calling the Filipino an abnormal human activated by drugs.

When Mayweather first demanded Pacman undergo a special blood test a week from the contest as part of the conditions to which acceptance of the proposition is subject, it raised eyebrows questioning the American’s courage. But that was only the beginning of a far more sinister campaign orchestrated underground.

Currently, there’s a flood-gate of internet letters referring to Pacquiao as gay and coming from a country of indecent citizens not fit to live among decent people. It is not known how Pacman and his countrymen are reacting – or will react – to this rather unsporting campaign intended to brand an entire nation in the negative.

To be fair to Mayweather, it is not established that he is directly in link with this new development. Yet, considering his past antecedents which clearly portray him as a brash young man lacking in discipline and self-control, posting such a bill on Pacman is not beyond him.

Outside the ring, I have had the privilege of encountering Pacquiao who, certainly, has a lot to show besides his dizzying accomplishments. His private lifestyle that has thus far, not brought him into any controversy, coupled with his election as a honorable Congressman in his native Philippines, are feats Floyd may never dream of in his whole lifetime.

Source: vanguardngr.com

Manny Pacquiao: Boxing Needs to Step Up

It was an incredible sports weekend RSR fans, but for a moment, forgive me. As I loved the fight between Pacquiao vs Mosley resulting in a clear cut victory for my beloved Pacquiao, my team, my former defending NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers are OUT of the playoffs.

I was on a high on Saturday after the Pacquiao win, but after Sunday, I’m ehhh.

It is that finally emoticon that summarizes how I might feel after a blah date. But please, no tears RSR Readers, I am here, ready to give you my take on the Mosley – Pacquiao bout. And you know what, it’s not pretty – about as bad, if not worse than how my Lakers did against the Mavericks. But give me a moment, I’m just wallowing.

I’ll start with the obvious post fight visual. After the winner was announced, did all of you catch a glimpse of Mosley’s face and skull? He took a few hits from Pacquiao and stated, as he removed an ice pack, “Pacquiao has power.” Mosley should have taken more risks and create an offense, but as one Showtime commentator stated, “Mosley showed all the signs of the aging fighter.”

Throughout the fight, Mosley found himself mostly retreating, unable to counter effectively and create an effective offense and defense. In other words, his mind was “willing, but his body not” willing to take a risk and attack. Mosley looked surprised, but felt the brunt of Pacquiao’s power.

As for Pacquiao, he fared pretty well against Mosley. He looked a bit more cautious in his offense and his tremendous output of punches was cut in half. First, Paquiao admitted at the end of the bout that he had “leg issues and it was less than a perfect performance.” One commentator stated, Pacquiao was “without his A-game, but still won.” This bout demonstrated that Pacquiao is a more disciplined and fit fighter and he seems to do well at 145 lbs. I think any heavier than 145 pounds, Pacquiao may lose his performance speed.

More significantly, if Pacquiao should fight anyone heavier, he could feel the impact of the power more. If you look a little more closely at Pacquiao, his right eye was also a bit swollen, which means that Mosley connected a few as well. Pacquiao is a much better boxer technically and has a controlled, effective aggression and he earned the judges’ scorecards. In defense of his WBO Welterweight title, the final scorecards read as follows: 119-108, 120-108, and 120-107.

So, RSR readers, the bout wasn’t even close.

So, that’s the post fight assessment. With every Pacquiao bout, I usually give Pacquiao about two or three rounds to figure out his opponents. But in this bout, whether or not his legs tightened up, Pacquiao did not produce very many punches from all angles as he normally does.

According to one stat, Pacquiao landed 182 of 552 punches along with 48 jabs of 268. As we know from both the Clottey and Margarito bouts, he usually produces over 1,000 punches in a bout without expending too much energy. Pacquiao will win a fight because his productivity is endless and he doesn’t allow his opponent to ever look busier. Mosley perhaps, in his reluctance, couldn’t put together the amount of punches he needed to show he could take the fight away from Pacquiao. In the opening round, Mosley did his best to make solid shots to the body. Pacquiao also looked relaxed and had a tentative offense as he tried to figure out Mosley.

In the 2nd round, there was a clash of heads, but Pacquiao put together enough combinations to show that he was about to take control of the fight. Finally, it happened, in the 3rd round, Pacquiao landed a solid left hook and Mosley got knocked down convincingly as the champion fighter had a glazed look on his face while he was on the mat.

Had Pacquiao been a heavier, KO puncher, he could have ended the fight. But since Mosley hasn’t ever been knocked out, a KO result would have been a tough one for Pacquiao to pull off.

So, RSR fans, the fight continued…and continued. And, not much to really comment on. Pacquiao was winning the bout. He was a more tactically strong boxer. But then, in the 10th round, Mosley scored a knockdown, in what really, fight fans, looked like a push.

I think Mosley even looked surprised.

The bout ended with a dazed Mosley just wondering how it is the Filipino fighter managed to generate his power. It left no doubt for Mosley that Pacquiao is the best pound for pound fighter. And, he should know, he’s faced Mayweather JR and he lost. But give credit to Mosley for making a fight with Pacquiao happen. It’s definitely more than can be said about Mayweather JR.

It’s definitely sad to say that I have to agree with the Showtime commentators that Sugar Shane Mosley definitely showed he has to reconsider the ‘R’ word in boxing – retirement. Although his body may be willing, he was really outclassed mentally and psychologically.

Mosley has shown heart throughout his career and he provided great challenges to his opponents, but he is definitely a different Mosley than from 10 years ago. And, it’s the naturally progression of a boxing career. Mosley should be proud that he went the distance against the best boxer in the world and he really didn’t need this bout. But actually, he showed a courageous fight against a superior boxer. He even took a pay cut, so to speak, by accepting $5 million for the fight as Pacquiao was guaranteed $20 million.

I also give a nod to Showtime and Top Rank for making the bout a premier event. I admit that I am used to HBO Commentators Jim Lampley, Emanuel Stewart, and Larry Merchant. And, I missed the Lederman card. But, there was something more straight laced in this bout. With the Super Six Middleweight Tournament coming to a close, Showtime and its commentators have provided a fresh new voice to boxing and have revamped the sport and spectacle of a sport that definitely needs some excitement.

So, as I write this article, internet rumors are whirling. I don’t read them all because we all know that not everything we read on the internet is true. Regardless, the rumor afloat right now is that Floyd “Money” Mayweather, JR may be fighting Victor “Vicious” Ortiz, 29-2-2, 22 KO’s. Do you remember Ortiz? He fought against Andre Berto, 27-1, 21 KO’s in April and earned the 12 round unanimous decision for the WBC Welterweight title.

Ortiz is also currently ranked #2 among welterweights. Mosley is now ranked #3 and Berto ranks at #4. Noticeably absent from the list? Floyd Mayweather, JR remains absent as well as inactive. With the current state of boxing, the sport needs a big bout and the only bout that should happen is Pacquiao vs Mayweather JR. The bout needs to happen. And luckily there is still enough time in the year to make the mega-bout the premier fight of the year.

So far now, as I mourn the loss of my Lakers, I’d offer that with this bout, Manny Pacquiao won the bout convincingly as a skilled, powerful, and technical fighter. And, right now, he can and will take on anyone willing to fight him.

ringsidereport.com

Fans want Pacquiao vs Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines — Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao scored another ho-hum victory by outfoxing, outhitting and overpowering Sugar Shane Mosley.

Pacquiao’s unanimous decision victory was cheered by the millions of fans over at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and the people who watched the match via pay-per-view. Others were glued to their radios where the outcome had already been known as early as lunch time in Manila.

Among the highlights of the bout included that 3rd round knockdown and the controversial push that merited a count from referee Kenny Bayless in the 10th round. Mosley, who chose to fight defensively and dodge Manny’s attacks got booed even if the “Pambansang Kamao” tried his best to give the fans a good show.

As per promoter Bob Arum, they will be sitting down next week to discuss who Pacquiao’s next opponent will be.

The names of Juan Miguel Marquez and Timothy Bradley have been mentioned although based on reports, Marquez will be his next opponent this coming November.

While the third installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez match-up appears interesting, fans would like to Pacquiao collide with the controversial Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Negotiations were made before but Mayweather’s demands have become too much for Pacquiao’s camp (which included that Olympic-style drug testing rant), a sign that Mayweather may indeed be just trying to make excuses to avoid a confrontation with the pound-for-pound king.

At the time of these negotiations, Pacquiao and Mayweather were practically on the equal footing.

With Mayweather being taken out of the list and at the same time in trouble with all the lawsuits, a light of hope may yet rekindle that this much awaited dream match where Pacquiao obviously has the upper hand right now.

But the earliest that this could happen is probably by 2012 after the brewing bout between Pacquiao and Marquez.

Pacquiao and Marquez first met in 2004 where the match ended in a questionable draw. Marquez got floored three times in the first round in their match but still managed to escape with a draw.

Source: mb.com.ph

Floyd Mayweather: No Manny Pacquiao Next, but Maybe Champion Victor Ortiz

Floyd Mayweather and No Manny Pacquiao Next, but Maybe Champion Victor Ortiz

While Floyd Mayweather won’t admit that he watched the Manny Pacquiao fight, I bet my bottom dollar that he was watching it closely.

Mayweather is scared and now it looks like he will try to dodge the Pacquiao bullet again by fighting WBC Welterweight Champion Victor Ortiz.

Ortiz tells Kansan.com:

Next, Ortiz will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. The details of the fight are still being worked out, but Ortiz said contracts should be signed soon.

“I have been striving for success, to be that All-American and to be all that I can,” Ortiz said.



MUST READ: Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley: "Sugar" Shane's Sweetest Knockouts (With Video)



While I feel Mayweather is the better fighter, Ortiz has the ability to rock a rusty fighter that doesn’t take him serious. I hope this is just the appetizer for Mayweather and he is eyeing Pacquiao as his main dish.

While this all sounds good, there are serious flaws in Ortiz story.

Ortiz tells KUSports.com:

WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, a native of Garden City, told the Journal-World on Tuesday night that he plans to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sept. 16 in Las Vegas.

“I just need to look at the contract and make sure everything is OK. It’s not 100 percent sure yet, but that’s what I’m setting my sights on.”

I want to believe him, but it doesn’t seem likely. September 16 is a Friday and there are other big fights scheduled that weekend including the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito Rematch on September 17 in Las Vegas.

Source: bleacherreport.com

Shane Mosley Says Pacquiao the Strongest Puncher He's Faced

Shane Mosley has been in the ring with some guys who can punch, and some great fighters.

Since turning pro in 1993, Mosley has faced a who's who list of star fighters during his era. Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar de la Hoya (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Winky Wright (twice), Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Ricardo Mayorga, Fernando Vargas (twice), and many other top fighters.

Last night, the 39-year-old Mosley was a clearly spent force in the ring, and in the third round, he was sent to the canvas. The expression on Mosley's face, if you go back and watch it, appears to be honest surprise. Lem Satterfield of BoxingScene.com reports that Mosley's expression was the real deal:

"I'm not sure if there weren't openings that I couldn't pull the trigger on, but there were shots that I couldn't see. I've been knocked down by Vernon Forrest, so that was a strong knockout punch. But this second time, that couldn't compete with Manny Pacquiao," said Mosley.

"I was pretty hurt. I was pretty stunned. It surprised me, because I didn't think that it was a big shot when he threw it. But Manny Pacquiao was very strong," said Mosley.

Part of this is probably that Shane Mosley is, you know, 39 years old and all that, but Shane has taken some strong punches over the years, and taken them as well as anyone. His chin has been proven time and again as exceptional. And not only did Mosley obviously feel Manny's power and hit the mat, but it seemed to stay in his mind the rest of the fight. Even more than having difficulty pulling the trigger, Mosley tried his damnedest to stay away from Manny Pacquiao for the rest of the fight. Shane Mosley has never run before. Last night, you can say

Source: badlefthook.com