Mayweather Camp Turned Down Arum's Final Offer

MANILA, Philippines - Hopes of salvaging the megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are slim after American promoter Bob Arum’s”final counter offer” was quickly turned down by Mayweather’s chief adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, and negotiator, Richard Schaefer.

Arum, main man of Top Rank, had given the Mayweather camp until Monday (today in Manila) to decide on his final proposal that both parties let the Nevada State Athletic Commission to make the final decision on the blood tests issue.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Arum suggested that both sides explain to the NSAC why their “preferred (blood) testing system” should be used or followed, and let the Nevada body make the final decision.

Mayweather wanted an Olympic-style blood testing to be supervised by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Under the set-up, both fighters should agree to as many as five blood and 12 urine tests - randomly.

Freddie Roach said it’s so random that that USADA can knock on your doors in the middle of the night to get blood or urine samples, in the weeks, days or just hours before the fight, and shortly afterwards.

Pacquiao’s camp said there’s no need for such, and has agreed to three blood tests (one on the first week of January, then 30 days before the match and another after the match, but was again unacceptable to Mayweather.

Arum made the offer of letting the NSAC to decide. And if the Mayweathers disagree, the Top Rank president said he could seal a Pacquiao fight with Paulie Malignaggi on March 13 “within an hour.”

Arum may find himself making the phone call when he wakes up Monday morning while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas
, Mexico after Ellerbe and Schaefer literally thumbed down the final counter offer from Top Rank.

“Random is random. We are all intelligent people and we know what random testing is. That is what we want and it has not changed,” said Ellerbe.

“It does not make sense for this to become a commission matter. This is a contractual matter. The commission did not decide the weights or the purse split or how the foreign television rights would be sold.

“If this is Bob’s final ultimatum, then that’s what it is. That is his decision if he wants to take that position. I very much hope this fight can be made, but the reason it is at a standstill is because of the way they have handled things,” Schaefer said.

Pacquiao is vacationing with his family in Gen. Santos City and his adviser, Mike Koncz, said the 31-year-old superstar doesn’t want to make any further comment on the matter.

The other day, Schaefer said Mayweather can do away with the USADA, and it’s just a matter of both camps agreeing on the dates of the blood tests just to make sure that they’re still effective.

But that was the other day.

“We are prepared to have this handled in a way that is not us deciding or them deciding,” said Arum. “The commission meets on Jan. 19. Mayweather’s people can say why they believe additional testing above what we agreed to as necessary and we can give our viewpoint.

“Let the commission decide. If they come away and decide Manny needs to be blood tested every single [expletive] day, then we will go with that. This is the way to go to give this thing legitimacy. I hope they [Team Mayweather] see reason.” (source: philstar.com)

Manny Pacquiao- The Ring's Fighter Of The Year 2009

Mayweather Camp Are OK With Less-Stringent Drug Testing Protocol

The promoter for unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. told The Times today that he'd be willing to compromise on U.S. Anti-Doping Agency policy that would leave Mayweather and his tentatively scheduled March 13 opponent, Manny Pacquiao, subject to a blood test on the eve of their mega-fight.

"As long as there's a blood test, as long as there's a urine test and as long as it's random, a [specificied] cutoff date is agreeable to us," Mayweather promoter Richard Schaefer said. "We're saying, 'We're OK,' and we hope Pacquiao [and his promoter and trainer] are OK."

Schaefer didn't precisely spell out how the drug testing would be done. He and USADA Chief Executive Travis Tygart have said they don't believe an effective anti-doping policy can be carried out if Pacquiao won't agree to test anytime in the 30-day period before the fight. Schaefer pointed to Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach's comments to The Times this week that a blood test three days before the bout seems reasonable.

Pacquiao first told The Times on Christmas Eve that he planned to sue Mayweather and Schaefer's Golden Boy Promotions for defamation because of their intense public push for testing beyond that required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

"They're trying to tarnish, damage and destroy the clean reputation of someone who is a fighter, a warrior," Pacquiao advisor and biographer Winchell Campos told The Times on Saturday. "Manny has said he fights for his country, his honor and his God, and he'd never do anything to disgrace any of those."

That said, Campos said Pacquiao is willing to consider any direction from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. If Nevada authorities agree that additional blood testing beyond their urine collection is appropriate for this high-profile bout that could be the most lucrative in history, "then that's fair," Campos said. "But nobody should be dictating those things to the commission."

Schaefer said he's "never accused Pacquiao of doing something illegal" and said as a promoter who has more than 20% of Pacquiao's rights, "the last thing I'd want is to see him accused or be found guilty of using steroids." Schaefer said he strongly wants the fighters to come together and agree to drug-testing terms.

"Now that I've learned more about this, boxing now will have an outspoken advocate for blood testing in the sport," Schaefer said. "I plan to ask Nevada to have Travis Tygart explain why blood tests are necessary. This is not about hitting a baseball, throwing a football or hitting a puck. This is a sport that's mano-a-mano, with guys hitting each other's heads. It's important that the strongest testing possible is in place." (source:Lance Pugmire/Los Angeles Times)

Pacquiao To Sue The Mayweathers & Golden Boy Promotions

SARANGANI, PHILIPPINES (Dec. 25)—Saying that his character and person has been questioned, maligned, damaged and tarnished by baseless and false accusations, pound-for-pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao and promoter Top Rank Inc. announced today the filing of a lawsuit within the next few days against the Mayweathers, Floyd Sr. and Jr., et al, and Golden Boy Promotions.

“Enough is enough. These people, Mayweather Sr., Jr., and Golden Boy Promotions, think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard,” said Pacquiao in Tagalog while celebrating Christmas with his family here.

“I have instructed my promoter, Bob Arum, head of Top Rank Inc., to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible because I have had people coming over to me now asking if I really take performance-enhancing drugs and I have cheated my way into becoming the No. 1 boxer in the world,” said Pacquiao.

Libel, slander and defamation suits are being readied against the accused to once and for all clear out Pacquiao’s good name and character.

This week, Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions came out with a press release threatening to put a stop to the projected biggest fight in boxing history between the two top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, by asking too many unrealistic and unprecedented items on the bargaining table, including that of an Olympic-style drug testing.

“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it,” added the Filipino champion who just turned 31 a week ago. “I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.”

“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring,” said Pacquiao, who has been contemplating on filing a case against Mayweather Sr. even before the start of his Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Angel Cotto. “I did not sue because I did not want to get distracted during that time because I was preparing for one of the toughest fights in my career.”

“Pretty Boy Floyd, face me instead on March 13 in Las Vegas and not in some talk show forum or in press releases written for you by people who don’t even know me. Face me in a fight where I get to punch back. You and your cohorts have accused me of using performance-enhancing drugs. Now, I say, the burden of proof should now come from you, not me,” said Pacquiao, the only seven-time, seven-weight division champion in the history of the sport.

Pacquiao said he is not against any form of drug testing mandated by any state athletic sports commission whenever, wherever he fights. He just finds it funny and stupid to change a system that has been set for decades now. Pacquiao undergoes drug testing and other medical examinations before and after every fight over the past 15 years and has never failed any of these tests.

“These people think they are doing the sport a great service. They are not,” added Pacquiao. “To Floyd, despite all these accusations, may your Christmas be merry and I will see you in court, soon, too.” (source: philboxing.com)

Freddie Roach On Pacquiao Drug Test Row- SKYSPORTS

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Fight In Jeopardy -ESPN NEWS

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Might Not Happen

There are talks around the boxing world and write ups that Pacquiao vs Mayweather Jr. fight will not happen because of weight issues. Floyd is said to be demanding the fight at 154 lbs while Manny wants it at 147 lbs which is the natural Welterweight limit. As of this writing, Floyd Mayweather hasn't signed the contract yet while Pacquiao has signed it as soon as the contract was presented to him by promoter Bob Arum in the Philippines. Rumors also circulating here in England that Mayweather will fight Matthew Hatton first this coming March before fighting Pacquiao or Shane Mosley if he wins against Andre Berto.

So what do you think boxing fans? Is Mayweather just bluffing team pacquiao and us boxing fans? Is he again ducking Pacquiao? Is Floyd really avoiding Class A fighters? Or is he just simply scared of Boxing's Beast which is the Filipino Icon Manny Pacquiao?! (grsg03/boxlink)

Manny Pacquiao- 1 of Top 10 Stars Of 2009 by ESPNSTAR

MANNY PACQUIAO

The Filipino fought twice in 2009 and in the process underlined his status as the number one fighter in the sport today - Floyd Mayweather included. First Pacquiao stepped up to light-welterweight to hammer Ricky Hatton to a violent second-round defeat. Then he went up again to master the ferocious welterweight Miguel Cotto. A one-sided 12th-round stoppage win under his belt, Pacquiao now goes in search of a showdown with Mayweather. (source: espnstar.com)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. @ Joe Buck Live

Pacquiao Agrees For A 50-50 Split - Fight On March 13

Manny Pacquiao has signed a contract to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in boxing's biggest fight on March 13, a source with knowledge of the meeting told ESPN.com on Friday night.

Pacquiao and promotor Bob Arum met for two hours Friday to discuss the proposed deal, according to Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, who told The Associated Press that "Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem.

"The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem and it's pretty much a done deal," Koncz said.

Later Friday it became a done deal, at least on the Pacquiao side, when he signed the paperwork, the source said.

Mayweather had previously agreed to terms with Golden Boy Promotions, his promoter for the HBO PPV fight, but it was unclear if he had signed a contract.

The source also disclosed other aspects of the fight, which will take place at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds for Pacquiao's title and match the top two fighters in the world, pound-for-pound.

The camps agreed to a 50-50 split of the money, which could be gargantuan. Many experts expect the fight to eclipse the all-time pay-per-view record for sales, which is the 2.44 million buys generated by Mayweather's 2007 victory against Oscar De La Hoya.

Both fighters will wear 8-ounce gloves but each fighter will be allowed to select the brand of gloves he will wear for the fight.

For promotional purposes, the bout will be referred to as Mayweather-Pacquiao, but Top Rank will receive first billing over Golden Boy throughout the promotion.

However, instead of a full-scale media tour, there will only be a single press conference in New York during the second week of January. With the schedule compressed because of the March 13 date for the fight, rather than May 1, which the promoters and HBO PPV preferred, it didn't leave time for a lengthy media tour.

The fight is going to take place March 13 because Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat in the Philippines and the elections are in May, which would have been a conflict between his training and the campaign.

Pacquiao will spend the first half of his training camp in Baguio in the Philippines, where he also trained for the first part of his camp in preparation for his 12th-round knockout victory against Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14. For the final few weeks of his training, Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach will relocate to Roach's Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Calif.

The site of the bout has not been finalized. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed interest in bringing the fight to his new stadium as have representatives from the Superdome in New Orleans. Also in the mix is the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which has hosted several Pacquiao and Mayweather bouts. Arum has also received a proposal for a 30,000-seat temporary stadium on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn resort. (Source: Dan Rafael for ESPN.com)

Pacquiao vs Foreman For 8th World Title Before The Mayweather Fight?

The contest that every boxing fan wants to see may have to wait because Manny Pacquiao is being groomed for an even more audacious challenge before he takes on his last great, unconquered rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

While the deal-makers work on Pacquiao-Mayweather, Freddie Roach, the Filipino’s trainer, has ambitions for his boxer to go up yet another weight and claim a world title at an eighth weight division. Roach, specifically, has his eyes on Yuri Foreman, the New York-based Israeli, who is the World Boxing Association light-middleweight champion.

Pacquiao won his first world title at flyweight, which is up to eight stone. If he moves up another weight he will be competing at 11 stone.

The 30-year-old was already breaking new ground when he beat Miguel Cotto, on November 14, to win a world title in a seventh different weight division. It was after that victory at welterweight that he said that he believed his ascent through the weights had come to a natural end. However, Roach clearly has other ideas — and Pacquiao tends to follow his advice.

“The Mayweather fight is the fight the world wants to see,” Roach said. “It’s going to be the biggest pay-per-view fight of all time. But I think we will fight one fight before that.”

Roach said that Pacquiao’s schedule will be constructed around his political ambitions and the elections in the Philippines on May 10. “But there is a March date for him to fight,” Roach said. “People think I am crazy but I want him to win his eighth title against Yuri Foreman at 154lb. That’s my idea — then fight Mayweather in September. And then retire.”

The way Roach sees it, there will be no further blemishes on Pacquiao’s record by the time he greets retirement, although he does concede that Mayweather will be “the hardest fight of his life”.

“Mayweather’s a very difficult fight for Manny,” he said. “It won’t be physically the hardest, but it will be the hardest fight of his life style-wise. Mayweather is talented and he’s good at defence. I have a very good game plan for him, but I’m sure a lot of other guys thought that along the way.

“We’ll have a ten-week training camp. We have to work on a lot of new moves, we have to improve in certain areas to win that fight.” And would he expect his man to win? “Oh yes. Without a doubt.”

This is, of course, a different view to that espoused by Mayweather after he had witnessed Pacquiao’s brutal demolition of Cotto. Mayweather described Pacquiao as “easy work, easy fight. I don’t see no versatility in Manny Pacquiao. I see just a fighter, you know, a good puncher, but just one dimension.”

It is not as if it would need Mayweather’s familiar bragging to sell this one, but he may have to bite his tongue for a while. If Roach gets his way, Pacquiao’s first stop is with Foreman, who was born in Belarus when it was still part of the Soviet Union.

The 29-year-old moved to Israel when he was 9 and is as serious about Judaism as he is about his boxing. Foreman boxes with the Star of David stitched on to his shorts and he is also an aspiring rabbi.(source:Owen Slot-The Times)