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

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

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

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

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

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