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Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 | 3:40 p.m.
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The proposed super-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, what would certainly be the richest fight in boxing history, may be called off because of a recent disagreement.
Out of all the possible details that could have derailed the mega-fight between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, the method of drug testing is proving to be the culprit.
Negotiations of the March 13 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena have stalled as of late, because of Pacquiao's (50-3-2, 38 KO) reluctance to agree to random Olympic-style testing, an addition to the contract that Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO) and his promoters have requested.
Olympic-style testing allows random blood testing of fighters all the way up to the weigh-in of the event. The Nevada State Athletic Commission typically only requires fighters to pass urine tests before and after a fight.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, told the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press Tuesday that Mayweather's insistence on changing the drug-testing procedures shows he has never been serious about taking the fight with Pacquiao.
"We're going in a different direction," Arum told the newspaper. "What I believe, is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao."
In a statement released Wednesday, Arum added that his fighter has already agreed to rigorous drug testing but he would not agree to have blood drawn so close to the event.
Pacquiao is known for having a hard time giving blood.
"Let's be very clear on the real issues we differ on," Arum said. "It's not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it's such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Manny will submit to as many random urine tests requested.
"Regarding the blood tests, he will subject himself to three tests; one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one 30 days from the fight and the final one immediately following the fight."
Pacquiao has never failed a drug test, although that hasn't stopped Floyd Mayweather Sr. to repeatedly accuse the Filipino of taking steroids.
According to a released statement from Mayweather, the fighter pointed out the magnitude of the proposed fight to explain his desire for stricter testing methods.
"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does," Mayweather said. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to a sportsmanship at the highest level.
"I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same. It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night."
All other details of the fight appear to be worked out, as both sides have said that the only thing preventing a formal announcement is the disagreement on the drug tests.
Reports from ESPN.com state that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Shaefer has revealed that the fight would be fought at 147 pounds, and that the penalty for coming in over weight would be a whopping $10 million per pound.
The huge penalty was called for by members of the Pacquaio camp, after Mayweather ignored the contract limit of 144 pounds in his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez and weighed-in at 146. Mayweather won that fight by unanimous decision.
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.
I guess this is one of Mayweather's antics in promoting the fight or finding ways not to fight Pacquio. If Mayweather wants to subject himself in this kind of drug testing so do so, but don't ask Pacquio to do it in your own terms. He knows that Pacquio is not comfortable with needles; he didn't have all his immunization shots when he was little. Nonetheless, Pacquio has always subjected himself in all drug tests by the boxing association and he has never failed. He has done this in Diaz, De La Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto fights. All 30 days before and after each fight and nothing was found.
They are (Pacquio's team) willing to take the blood test in January 2010 when the fight is formally announced, 30 days before the fight and after the fight (of course with a clause in the contract. They are willing to give Pacquio's winning purse and title when he wins and if determined that he was using drugs but not two days before the fight. In addition, this can be an insult to the professional boxing association's current drug testing guidelines and procedures, stating that they are not doing enough to test all these professional boxers.
Moreover, it will be not illegal or unethical if Pacquio refuses to take this kind of testing. It is not mandated by the Nevada Sports Commission, Nevada Boxing Association, and the Professional Boxing Association. Even if it is, they will not do it two days before a fight when the boxers are trying to lose weight to meet the weigh-in requirements and they will have to fast before blood (10ml (red top) or two 5ml (red tops) tubes of blood) can be taken. Who in the right mind will do that?
Below are reasons why Mayweather is scared of Pacquio and he is trying to manipulate things"
Pacquio has"
1. Experience (he has been boxing professionally since his late teens)
2. Speed (we have seen this for a long time now)
3. Punching Power (both hands since De La Hoya)
4. Jaw (can take power punches from a bigger and powerful and certified middle weight in Miguel Cotto)
5. Defense (the ability to go in and out when throwing punches and using his arms and feet for defense)
6. Killer instinct (he never stops attacking and going for the knock out even though he is already ahead, unlike other boxers who will just run and wait for the fight to finish)- this makes it more exciting for the boxing fans
7. Stamina (he is like a machine in all 12 rounds)
8. Style (very unpredictable but very exciting and thrilling to watch
9. Trainer (has a great working relationship with a great trainer and never stops learning)
10. He will knock Mayweather OUT!!!
Again, Pacquio is NOT refusing to take the drug test, just not in the time line the Mayweather camp wanted.
Agreed.
Mayweather doesn't care about boxing at all. Boxing needs this fight and Mayweather is trying to stop it.
I dont see how he could be consitered among the best when he is scared to fight the best.
Mayweather is a plastic champion.
If this doesnt go through I hope all of Mayweather fights are busts.
Mayweather is a coward!!!
Mayweather and his acting. He needs to go back to WWE.
No way this fight wont happen. Too much $$$$$$$ to blow this.
I think we all knew that "Money" was going to look for some excuse not to actually have to prove himself and for the first time in his career actually put that undefeated record on the line.
give me a break,do u mean 2 tell me that the big,bad manny pacquio is afraid of a littl blood test,my kid gets one all of the time,ridiculous
if you say floyd is scared then and looking for a way out of the fight then why is manny giveing floyd a way out I dont bye that sh** if manny have nothing to hide then take the damn test period!!
Mayweather's "running scared" He's a COWARD!!!
of course hhe wants him to take the test closer to fight time your testing for peformences enhancers dummy and floyd will be takeing the same test!stop trying to make excuses for your hero manny the hgh paciquio!
I think you're a biased Pacquiao fan who's views are blinded by Manny's cumshot.
You're calling Mayweather a coward when Pacquiao is afraid of a blood test. So what if Mayweather thinks he's using steroids? They want him to prove he isn't on anything illegal.
Pacquiao doesn't want to take a blood test. That's what's preventing this fight from happeneing. Make any excuse you want the facts are right in front of you. Pacquiao says he's superstitious about blood tests when in this video he is taking one no problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbmqay72a...
Mayweather is taking the blood test too so people complaining it's just for Manny need to stop crying. For a guy who is going to make $40 million dollars he sure is acting like a damn girl. The Mayweather camp wants a blood test to prove the guy they are fighting isn't on steroids because of his freakish rise to P4P #1 status. How hard is that to understand? It makes perfect sense.
It's not a damn mind game, it's a safety procedure that Pacquiao fans twist to stir up drama. Sounds like a bunch of high school chicks in here. If Pacquiao wants his legacy to go unquestioned, he needs to take a blood test and fight Mayweather.
Lastly he and his fans need to think of it this way. If Pacquiao doesn't agree to this, he will forever have a steroid allegation above his head and his accomplishments and will have made the world miss out on the richest fight in boxing history. If Pacquiao agrees to this, he makes himself look like a freak of nature, and will make the Mayweather camp look bad.
Aside from that, both these guys are making enough money to last for the rest of their lives so what the hell is all the complaining about??
yes I am a Pacman fan so I'm going to layout some FACTS before you guys accuse pacquiao of being the one to cause the agreement to go south.
-the only reason why pacquiao wouldn't agree to a blood test near fight night is that he did the same with his first fight against Morales. He thought its going to weaken him and he ended up losing the first fight. its about every individual fighters psyche. Mayweather uses xylocaine injections to numb his hands during every fight for him to hit longer and harder w/o feeling a thing and I know what you guys are going to comment "he has a history of hand problems" i know but that could have easily been caused by him repeatedly using the drug and not knowing that he has already busted his hands long ago.
-He made a very fair compromise which requires him a blood test 30days before the fight and one IMMEDIATELY after the fight, if it turns out positive then they will reverse the decision/winnings. He was ready to sign this agreement but the mayweather camp kept asking for more demands and that finally pissed off Bob Arum and decided to go with Clottey
-promoters from both sides met and talked many times not just one sitting and each time bob arum matches what the mayweathers propose they keep asking for more ridiculous requests all the way down to using 10ounce(softer) gloves instead of an 8ounce glove. pacquiao has agreed to every one of them aside from the blood test close to the fight and I agree with the above comment that this is an insult to the nevada sports commission's process of drug testing because its one of the most extensive and technologically updated urine tests out there(testing for 30 KINDS OF STEROIDS/PED)before and after the fight
-pacquiao said in everyone of his interviews that he will fight anyone anywhere anytime so he's yes all the way
-mayweather even said during his Brian Kenny interview that quote "i could beet him(pacquiao) easily...easily, he has no class and he's linear" and he is basing this on the pacman fights he has seen so HYPOTHETICALLY why would it even matter if he is in fact using steroids. He claims from the start that he can easily beat him. I mean c'mon and it has been clearly proven that he has been avoiding quality contenders from the start i.e. Cotto, Mosley, etc. He keeps claiming that he's the best and #1 p4p fighter out there so y not just sign the damn paper and prove it Pacquiao is just being fair and firm on his one belief about that blood testing
people lie, facts don't! nuf said...