Bob Arum Tells Floyd Mayweather, Schaefer: "Go To Hell!"
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
WoooW this nigga (localstar907) staight broke it down fah everybody. Pac got tats but he cant draw a table spoon of blood for $30 or so Million and his team is talkin like Pac is above all this "BS". I like Floyd's hype machine machanics. Get everybody riled up like the fool that put up this post. Pac looses a performance edge "IF" he is cheating, he gets mentaly hung up in training about the issue, and his fans have to have a big since of doubt if he doesn't comply. Floyd and his team and his father are genius for the probably the biggest pre hype contraversy since Ali was ranting and raving.
You guys have to understand that Pacquiao HAS agreed to drug testing, he HAS agreed to blood tests. What he has a problem with is the intrusive 24/7 type of tests, meaning they can wake your ass up at 4 am and take blood or in the middle of sparring, etc., over 20 times in less than 8 weeks total.
Manny has passed all previous drug tests and there is no reason to believe he is juicing.
In addition, Manny is willing to use alternative doping agencies as a compromise which would still take random blood tests, but would be less intrusive as the Olympic tests.
To me, this is floyd once again acting like a king. Manny wanted to fight in september so he could run for office, floyd says no lets do it in march (even though many people wanted more time for pacquiao to heal), manny agrees. Floyd wants the fight at 147, no catchweights, manny agrees. Floyd says he wants additional drug testing, including blood samples, manny agrees. Everything was set then floyd wants even more tests, now manny is like wtf?
Manny has passed all previous drug tests and there is no reason to believe he is juicing.
In addition, Manny is willing to use alternative doping agencies as a compromise which would still take random blood tests, but would be less intrusive as the Olympic tests.
To me, this is floyd once again acting like a king. Manny wanted to fight in september so he could run for office, floyd says no lets do it in march (even though many people wanted more time for pacquiao to heal), manny agrees. Floyd wants the fight at 147, no catchweights, manny agrees. Floyd says he wants additional drug testing, including blood samples, manny agrees. Everything was set then floyd wants even more tests, now manny is like wtf?
Malignaggi Comments on Mayweather-Pacquiao Mess
By Rick Reeno
Back in November, junior welterweight Paulie Malignaggi sat down with BoxingScene.com's Ryan Burton and discussed a variety of topics. One of those topics was Manny Pacquiao and his explosive win over Miguel Cotto. The comments by Malignaggi stirred a big pot of controversy [Click Here To Read The Full Interview].
Paulie Malignaggi: I think there is something up with Manny Pacquiao. I am not going to get into it. I think people will understand what I am saying. Full blown welterweights don't take those type of punches from Miguel Cotto the way he took them with total disregard for his power nor do they hurt him with every punch they hit him with. These are full blown welterweights I am talking about. This guy is coming up in weight and doing all these things. There is something up with this guy but that's as far as I am going to go into it. Floyd Mayweather (Senior) has gotten into it a little bit. There have been other fighters who have mentioned it. I am not going to get into no controversy. I am going to leave it at that. There is something that seriously makes me feel weird about Manny Pacquiao. I am going to leave it at that.
On Tuesday, Golden Boy Promotions disclosed a shocker. CEO Richard Schaefer made it known that he advised by Top Rank that Pacquiao would not agree to the proposed terms of Olympic-style drug testing being administered within 30-days of the fight. Schaefer made it very clear; unless Pacquiao agreed to those terms - the fight with Mayweather would not move forward. Top Rank's Bob Arum told BoxingScene the fight "was off as of now."
The big controversy centers around Pacquiao’s unwillingness to take a “blood test” so close to the fight. There are no objections on a urinalysis being conducted within 30-days. The lines have been drawn by both sides. Pacquiao’s side countered with their own proposal. Pacquiao is willing to take a blood test before the tentative January 6 press conference to announce the fight, or immediately following the conclusion of the Mayweather fight, scheduled for March 13.
The situation has been escalating since Floyd Mayweather Sr. first accused Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs a few months ago.
Malignaggi spoke to BoxingScene.com on Wednesday. He wouldn't discuss the latest controversy in detail but he did have a message for our readers.
"When the Juan Diaz fight happened, the first time around, I told everyone what was going to happen and instead of people having my back - they said I was a complainer. Then it happened and I was proven right. Before this situation came to light [Mayweather-Pacquiao controversy], I made some comments and everyone complained about me again. Now we have a bunch of controversy leaking out. I'm tired of educating retards and I'm done educating retards," Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com.
By Rick Reeno
Back in November, junior welterweight Paulie Malignaggi sat down with BoxingScene.com's Ryan Burton and discussed a variety of topics. One of those topics was Manny Pacquiao and his explosive win over Miguel Cotto. The comments by Malignaggi stirred a big pot of controversy [Click Here To Read The Full Interview].
Paulie Malignaggi: I think there is something up with Manny Pacquiao. I am not going to get into it. I think people will understand what I am saying. Full blown welterweights don't take those type of punches from Miguel Cotto the way he took them with total disregard for his power nor do they hurt him with every punch they hit him with. These are full blown welterweights I am talking about. This guy is coming up in weight and doing all these things. There is something up with this guy but that's as far as I am going to go into it. Floyd Mayweather (Senior) has gotten into it a little bit. There have been other fighters who have mentioned it. I am not going to get into no controversy. I am going to leave it at that. There is something that seriously makes me feel weird about Manny Pacquiao. I am going to leave it at that.
On Tuesday, Golden Boy Promotions disclosed a shocker. CEO Richard Schaefer made it known that he advised by Top Rank that Pacquiao would not agree to the proposed terms of Olympic-style drug testing being administered within 30-days of the fight. Schaefer made it very clear; unless Pacquiao agreed to those terms - the fight with Mayweather would not move forward. Top Rank's Bob Arum told BoxingScene the fight "was off as of now."
The big controversy centers around Pacquiao’s unwillingness to take a “blood test” so close to the fight. There are no objections on a urinalysis being conducted within 30-days. The lines have been drawn by both sides. Pacquiao’s side countered with their own proposal. Pacquiao is willing to take a blood test before the tentative January 6 press conference to announce the fight, or immediately following the conclusion of the Mayweather fight, scheduled for March 13.
The situation has been escalating since Floyd Mayweather Sr. first accused Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs a few months ago.
Malignaggi spoke to BoxingScene.com on Wednesday. He wouldn't discuss the latest controversy in detail but he did have a message for our readers.
"When the Juan Diaz fight happened, the first time around, I told everyone what was going to happen and instead of people having my back - they said I was a complainer. Then it happened and I was proven right. Before this situation came to light [Mayweather-Pacquiao controversy], I made some comments and everyone complained about me again. Now we have a bunch of controversy leaking out. I'm tired of educating retards and I'm done educating retards," Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com.
Top Rank's Statement on Pacquiao-Mayweather Situation
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – To bleed, or not to bleed -- is that really the question?
“More like Team Mayweather doth protest too much, methinks,” said Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, the promoter of seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
In response to the release sent out Tuesday by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions which stated that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was “in jeopardy,” Arum had the following to say:
“Let’s be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It’s not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it’s such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It’s about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures. 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 thirty days from the fight, no later than February 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny’s locker room. The major issue related to the testing rests with which independent agency will administer these tests. The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined. USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day and that is ludicrous.
“Our suggestion is to utilize any of the independent agencies that work with the National Football League, the National Basketball Association or Major League Baseball, since they administer drug testing for their professional athletes.”
New York-based athletic physician, Dr. Keith Pyne, a private injury consultant for NFL athletes and those who participate in running and combat sports, told AOL Fanhouse,
"I have more than 800 guys who are special athletes who are all drug-tested. And the urine testing is sufficient that you won't miss anything, especially with performance-enhancing drugs. So, yes, I believe that the urine testing is more than sufficient for boxing. If you're using steroids, it's going to come up for sure in urine. There's no way it's going to get through the liver and the kidney without being detected."
(http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/12/23/bob-arum-to-floyd-mayweather-stop-being-a-coward/?sms_ss=email)
“If Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions are sincere in creating “a level playing field,” as they stated in their release, our recommendations should put their minds at ease,” said Arum. “If not, one has to wonder if their motives are more about leveling the fight.”
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – To bleed, or not to bleed -- is that really the question?
“More like Team Mayweather doth protest too much, methinks,” said Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, the promoter of seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
In response to the release sent out Tuesday by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions which stated that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was “in jeopardy,” Arum had the following to say:
“Let’s be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It’s not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it’s such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It’s about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures. 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 thirty days from the fight, no later than February 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny’s locker room. The major issue related to the testing rests with which independent agency will administer these tests. The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined. USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day and that is ludicrous.
“Our suggestion is to utilize any of the independent agencies that work with the National Football League, the National Basketball Association or Major League Baseball, since they administer drug testing for their professional athletes.”
New York-based athletic physician, Dr. Keith Pyne, a private injury consultant for NFL athletes and those who participate in running and combat sports, told AOL Fanhouse,
"I have more than 800 guys who are special athletes who are all drug-tested. And the urine testing is sufficient that you won't miss anything, especially with performance-enhancing drugs. So, yes, I believe that the urine testing is more than sufficient for boxing. If you're using steroids, it's going to come up for sure in urine. There's no way it's going to get through the liver and the kidney without being detected."
(http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/12/23/bob-arum-to-floyd-mayweather-stop-being-a-coward/?sms_ss=email)
“If Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions are sincere in creating “a level playing field,” as they stated in their release, our recommendations should put their minds at ease,” said Arum. “If not, one has to wonder if their motives are more about leveling the fight.”
By Dan Wetzel
The request by Floyd Mayweather for both he and Manny Pacquiao to potentially be blood tested as close as 48 hours from their possible March superfight is both unprecedented and unnecessary.
Pacquiao’s de facto manager told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole that Pacman will be blood tested one month out and just after the possible March 13 fight in (likely) Las Vegas. That schedule should answer any possible doping questions about Pacquiao (or Mayweather). The 48-hour deadline is a classic Mayweather psychological ploy, a little edge designed to get into his opponent’s head.
That said, at this point, with the debate this far along, Pacquiao should just suck it up and agree to it.
Mayweather is a master at putting opponents in bad positions, both inside and outside the ring. Pacquiao is in one now, outfoxed by Mayweather in the fight negotiations. There’s no way Pacquiao can explain walking away from one of the biggest bouts in boxing history because, as his promoter suggests, he’s afraid of needles.
Do that and it isn’t just the game of boxing that takes a beating – it’s also Pacquiao’s reputation. The semantics about boxing standards or steroid cycles or unfair negotiations won’t break through what would, no doubt, be a vocal hammering from critics, none louder than from the Mayweathers.
“For that kind of money, how could you not take a test?” Floyd’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has already crowed to the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press.
Indeed, how do you not take a test?
The Mayweather camp has been outspoken in its suspicions about Pacquiao and performance-enhancing drugs. So it demanded that both fighters possibly submit blood samples to the United States Anti-Doping Agency in the days before and after the fight. When to test would be up to USADA. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said they’d stick to State of Nevada regulations, although Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, said they’d do blood samples, just not that close to the fight.
That isn’t good enough, so far, for the Mayweather camp. If no one budges, boxing may be in the process of shooting itself in the foot, walking away from an event that already has fans worldwide buzzing in anticipation. More likely: Something gets worked out in time for a fight announcement in early January.
“In a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level,” Mayweather Jr. said in a statement.
“We’re going in a different direction,” Arum told the Grand Rapids Press. “What I believe is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao.”
There’s little doubt this is harassment of Pacquiao. What else would you expect from Floyd Mayweather? He’s the master at screwing with opponents. Making Pacquiao discuss PEDs in the run up to the fight is a potential distraction – even if he’s clean. That was, no doubt, a goal when his camp requested aggressive doping standards.
This isn’t Mayweather’s normal bluster, though. He’s on the moral high ground here. The Pacquiao camp can hate the situation it finds itself in and may be correct that the requests are mostly ridiculous. It doesn’t change the reality of the debate.
If Pacman pulls out of the fight because of the timetable for doping tests, he’ll have a near-impossible challenge proving he isn’t trying to hide something.
Arum isn’t doing Pacquiao any favors with some of his silly excuses. He said Pacquiao is squeamish about needles, which is a heck of a thing to blow up a contest to determine the toughest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
He added that Pacquiao thinks a blood test within 48 hours of the fight might drain him, although most such tests take very little actual blood. Then there’s Arum’s claim that every doctor in the world would say doing such a thing is “stupid” and blood tests don’t “prove anything.” That’s hyperbole.
“Manny Pacquiao doesn’t know anything about drugs,” Arum told the Grand Rapids paper. “This is just typical nastiness by wise guys like [Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard] Ellerbe and Mayweather.”
Nastiness? Sure. Wise guys? Absolutely. The Mayweather camp doesn’t play around. However, to say we have to just take Arum’s word that Pacquiao doesn’t know anything about drugs is absurd. There hasn’t been a reason to believe anything or anyone in sports on this topic in years. PED scandals in baseball, football, cycling, track, swimming and so on aren’t Pacquiao’s fault, but that’s the sporting reality he lives in.
He can’t just pretend fan suspicion isn’t reasonable.
Pacquiao has been a breath of fresh air for boxing and he’s never failed a drug test in his 50-3-2 career. The chance to see a man of similar speed and skill finally challenge the unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) has reenergized the sport.
Which doesn’t mean either fighter is above reproach. The Mayweathers have had no problem voicing their concerns about Pacman’s ability to maintain punching power and punch-taking ability as he has climbed through weight classes (even as Mayweather has made a similar journey).
Regardless, in one of their typically deft maneuvers, they demanded extreme testing standards that left the Pacquiao camp backpedaling and debating an issue they can’t win.
What Mayweather is calling for may be unfair, but is Pacquiao going to give up tens of millions of dollars and a chance to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greatest fighters out of principle?
Is he going to bail knowing that he opens himself up to questions about PEDs because, despite being tough enough to let Miguel Cotto unload on him, he’s scared of a needle?
Floyd Mayweather has cornered him on this one, doing what he does best, making the fight get fought on his terms. The way to stop Mayweather, though, has always been to punch back – hard.
Instead, Manny Pacquiao is going to walk away?
The request by Floyd Mayweather for both he and Manny Pacquiao to potentially be blood tested as close as 48 hours from their possible March superfight is both unprecedented and unnecessary.
Pacquiao’s de facto manager told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole that Pacman will be blood tested one month out and just after the possible March 13 fight in (likely) Las Vegas. That schedule should answer any possible doping questions about Pacquiao (or Mayweather). The 48-hour deadline is a classic Mayweather psychological ploy, a little edge designed to get into his opponent’s head.
That said, at this point, with the debate this far along, Pacquiao should just suck it up and agree to it.
Mayweather is a master at putting opponents in bad positions, both inside and outside the ring. Pacquiao is in one now, outfoxed by Mayweather in the fight negotiations. There’s no way Pacquiao can explain walking away from one of the biggest bouts in boxing history because, as his promoter suggests, he’s afraid of needles.
Do that and it isn’t just the game of boxing that takes a beating – it’s also Pacquiao’s reputation. The semantics about boxing standards or steroid cycles or unfair negotiations won’t break through what would, no doubt, be a vocal hammering from critics, none louder than from the Mayweathers.
“For that kind of money, how could you not take a test?” Floyd’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has already crowed to the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press.
Indeed, how do you not take a test?
The Mayweather camp has been outspoken in its suspicions about Pacquiao and performance-enhancing drugs. So it demanded that both fighters possibly submit blood samples to the United States Anti-Doping Agency in the days before and after the fight. When to test would be up to USADA. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said they’d stick to State of Nevada regulations, although Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, said they’d do blood samples, just not that close to the fight.
That isn’t good enough, so far, for the Mayweather camp. If no one budges, boxing may be in the process of shooting itself in the foot, walking away from an event that already has fans worldwide buzzing in anticipation. More likely: Something gets worked out in time for a fight announcement in early January.
“In a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level,” Mayweather Jr. said in a statement.
“We’re going in a different direction,” Arum told the Grand Rapids Press. “What I believe is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao.”
There’s little doubt this is harassment of Pacquiao. What else would you expect from Floyd Mayweather? He’s the master at screwing with opponents. Making Pacquiao discuss PEDs in the run up to the fight is a potential distraction – even if he’s clean. That was, no doubt, a goal when his camp requested aggressive doping standards.
This isn’t Mayweather’s normal bluster, though. He’s on the moral high ground here. The Pacquiao camp can hate the situation it finds itself in and may be correct that the requests are mostly ridiculous. It doesn’t change the reality of the debate.
If Pacman pulls out of the fight because of the timetable for doping tests, he’ll have a near-impossible challenge proving he isn’t trying to hide something.
Arum isn’t doing Pacquiao any favors with some of his silly excuses. He said Pacquiao is squeamish about needles, which is a heck of a thing to blow up a contest to determine the toughest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
He added that Pacquiao thinks a blood test within 48 hours of the fight might drain him, although most such tests take very little actual blood. Then there’s Arum’s claim that every doctor in the world would say doing such a thing is “stupid” and blood tests don’t “prove anything.” That’s hyperbole.
“Manny Pacquiao doesn’t know anything about drugs,” Arum told the Grand Rapids paper. “This is just typical nastiness by wise guys like [Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard] Ellerbe and Mayweather.”
Nastiness? Sure. Wise guys? Absolutely. The Mayweather camp doesn’t play around. However, to say we have to just take Arum’s word that Pacquiao doesn’t know anything about drugs is absurd. There hasn’t been a reason to believe anything or anyone in sports on this topic in years. PED scandals in baseball, football, cycling, track, swimming and so on aren’t Pacquiao’s fault, but that’s the sporting reality he lives in.
He can’t just pretend fan suspicion isn’t reasonable.
Pacquiao has been a breath of fresh air for boxing and he’s never failed a drug test in his 50-3-2 career. The chance to see a man of similar speed and skill finally challenge the unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) has reenergized the sport.
Which doesn’t mean either fighter is above reproach. The Mayweathers have had no problem voicing their concerns about Pacman’s ability to maintain punching power and punch-taking ability as he has climbed through weight classes (even as Mayweather has made a similar journey).
Regardless, in one of their typically deft maneuvers, they demanded extreme testing standards that left the Pacquiao camp backpedaling and debating an issue they can’t win.
What Mayweather is calling for may be unfair, but is Pacquiao going to give up tens of millions of dollars and a chance to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greatest fighters out of principle?
Is he going to bail knowing that he opens himself up to questions about PEDs because, despite being tough enough to let Miguel Cotto unload on him, he’s scared of a needle?
Floyd Mayweather has cornered him on this one, doing what he does best, making the fight get fought on his terms. The way to stop Mayweather, though, has always been to punch back – hard.
Instead, Manny Pacquiao is going to walk away?
Drug test procedures being debated
By Dan Rafael
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4766171
The Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather welterweight title megafight, tentatively scheduled for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is in jeopardy because of the camps' failure to agree on the manner of drug testing for the fight.
In an interview late Tuesday with the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told the newspaper that the fight is off.
“
Dobbs I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does. But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to 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.
” -- Floyd Mayweather
According to Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather, Pacquiao refused Tuesday to agree to the Olympic-style drug testing procedures the sides had been negotiating.
Mayweather requested that the drug testing for the fight be in compliance with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which handles testing for Olympians, "to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters."
"We're going in a different direction," Arum told the Grand Rapids newspaper. "What I believe is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao.
"We appeased Mayweather by agreeing to a urine analysis at any time, and blood testing before the press conference and after the fight. Mayweather pressed for blood testing even up to the weigh-in. He knew that Manny gets freaked out when his blood gets taken, and feels that it weakens him. This is just harassment and, to me, just signaled that he didn't want the fight."
Olympic style testing is more rigorous than the drug testing performed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and other state commissions. It would involve random blood and urine testing before and after the fight. Nevada commission testing only tests urine for banned substances, once just before the fight and once immediately following the fight.
Floyd Mayweather Sr., the fighter's father, has repeatedly accused Pacquiao of taking illegal substances, even though Pacquiao denies it and he has never failed a drug test.
According to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is negotiating the deal with Top Rank president Todd duBoef, Pacquiao refuses to have his blood drawn within 30 days of the bout based on his superstition of testing so close to a fight.
"Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight," Schaefer said. "He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight."
Two weeks ago, Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told ESPN.com that their side had no problem with Olympic style testing.
"I have no problem with the testing whatsoever," Roach said then. "They can do whatever kind of drug testing they want. They're scared of Manny and scared of his power. He'll pass any test in the world."
Schaefer said he hoped it was simply a "miscommunication" on the Pacquiao side.
"I do hope it is some sort of miscommunication and that Pacquiao is not even aware of what is going on and he will clear this up and say what is good enough for these great Olympic athletes is good enough for him and Floyd, and he agrees to do these drug tests.
"Team Mayweather is very surprised that an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao would refuse drug testing procedures which Floyd has already agreed to and have been agreed to by many other top athletes. Why would Pacquiao refuse to have the same kind of testing that Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had?"
Told of Pacquiao's reluctance to be tested, Mayweather said he should explain himself.
Rafael: Pacquiao's Power? All Natural
Tuesday wasn't the first time members of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s camp have questioned Manny Pacquiao's strength and fitness. Blog
"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does," Mayweather said in a statement. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to 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.
"I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA."
Said Leonard Ellerbe, a Mayweather adviser, in a statement, "We hope that Manny will do the right thing and agree to the testing as it is an egregious act to deny the testing and hence, deny the millions of fans the right to see this amazing fight. We just want to make sure there is a level playing field in a sport that is a man-to-man contest that relies on strength and ability.
"I still hope this decision is coming from someone in Pacquiao's camp and not Manny himself as it would be a shame that an athlete of his stature and who represents his whole country would not be able to show the public or his fellow athletes that he agrees to the highest standards in sports competition."
Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the company declined to comment.
Schaefer said he and duBoef had "worked out all other issues related to the fight," disclosing to ESPN.com that the fight would be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, if they can work out the drug testing issue.
"We have agreed on all terms, including the site," Schaefer said.
The MGM Grand beat out several other interested venues, including Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Team owner Jerry Jones had offered a $25 million site fee, the largest in boxing history, but the promoters took an offer from the MGM Grand, whose terms have not been disclosed.
In addition, Schaefer told ESPN.com that the sides had agreed on an unprecedented penalty if either fighter weighed in heavier than the contract limit of 147 pounds.
"We agreed to $10 million per pound, or fraction thereof," Schaefer said. "That's what the Pacquiao side wanted and we said OK to that. That's unheard of. We have agreed on everything except for this drug testing issue. I have to think Pacquiao is unaware of this. The drug testing had been part of the contract for a while and then they suddenly said no. I was informed of that [Tuesday] morning. Suddenly they changed course and I don't know why."
Pacquiao wanted a huge monetary penalty if Mayweather was overweight because he ignored the contract limit of 144 pounds for his September fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, coming in at 146 pounds and paying a $600,000 penalty for the extra advantage.
Dan Rafael is ESPN.com's boxing writer.
By Dan Rafael
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4766171
The Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather welterweight title megafight, tentatively scheduled for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is in jeopardy because of the camps' failure to agree on the manner of drug testing for the fight.
In an interview late Tuesday with the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told the newspaper that the fight is off.
“
Dobbs I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does. But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to 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.
” -- Floyd Mayweather
According to Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather, Pacquiao refused Tuesday to agree to the Olympic-style drug testing procedures the sides had been negotiating.
Mayweather requested that the drug testing for the fight be in compliance with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which handles testing for Olympians, "to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters."
"We're going in a different direction," Arum told the Grand Rapids newspaper. "What I believe is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao.
"We appeased Mayweather by agreeing to a urine analysis at any time, and blood testing before the press conference and after the fight. Mayweather pressed for blood testing even up to the weigh-in. He knew that Manny gets freaked out when his blood gets taken, and feels that it weakens him. This is just harassment and, to me, just signaled that he didn't want the fight."
Olympic style testing is more rigorous than the drug testing performed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and other state commissions. It would involve random blood and urine testing before and after the fight. Nevada commission testing only tests urine for banned substances, once just before the fight and once immediately following the fight.
Floyd Mayweather Sr., the fighter's father, has repeatedly accused Pacquiao of taking illegal substances, even though Pacquiao denies it and he has never failed a drug test.
According to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is negotiating the deal with Top Rank president Todd duBoef, Pacquiao refuses to have his blood drawn within 30 days of the bout based on his superstition of testing so close to a fight.
"Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight," Schaefer said. "He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight."
Two weeks ago, Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told ESPN.com that their side had no problem with Olympic style testing.
"I have no problem with the testing whatsoever," Roach said then. "They can do whatever kind of drug testing they want. They're scared of Manny and scared of his power. He'll pass any test in the world."
Schaefer said he hoped it was simply a "miscommunication" on the Pacquiao side.
"I do hope it is some sort of miscommunication and that Pacquiao is not even aware of what is going on and he will clear this up and say what is good enough for these great Olympic athletes is good enough for him and Floyd, and he agrees to do these drug tests.
"Team Mayweather is very surprised that an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao would refuse drug testing procedures which Floyd has already agreed to and have been agreed to by many other top athletes. Why would Pacquiao refuse to have the same kind of testing that Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had?"
Told of Pacquiao's reluctance to be tested, Mayweather said he should explain himself.
Rafael: Pacquiao's Power? All Natural
Tuesday wasn't the first time members of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s camp have questioned Manny Pacquiao's strength and fitness. Blog
"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does," Mayweather said in a statement. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to 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.
"I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA."
Said Leonard Ellerbe, a Mayweather adviser, in a statement, "We hope that Manny will do the right thing and agree to the testing as it is an egregious act to deny the testing and hence, deny the millions of fans the right to see this amazing fight. We just want to make sure there is a level playing field in a sport that is a man-to-man contest that relies on strength and ability.
"I still hope this decision is coming from someone in Pacquiao's camp and not Manny himself as it would be a shame that an athlete of his stature and who represents his whole country would not be able to show the public or his fellow athletes that he agrees to the highest standards in sports competition."
Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the company declined to comment.
Schaefer said he and duBoef had "worked out all other issues related to the fight," disclosing to ESPN.com that the fight would be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, if they can work out the drug testing issue.
"We have agreed on all terms, including the site," Schaefer said.
The MGM Grand beat out several other interested venues, including Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Team owner Jerry Jones had offered a $25 million site fee, the largest in boxing history, but the promoters took an offer from the MGM Grand, whose terms have not been disclosed.
In addition, Schaefer told ESPN.com that the sides had agreed on an unprecedented penalty if either fighter weighed in heavier than the contract limit of 147 pounds.
"We agreed to $10 million per pound, or fraction thereof," Schaefer said. "That's what the Pacquiao side wanted and we said OK to that. That's unheard of. We have agreed on everything except for this drug testing issue. I have to think Pacquiao is unaware of this. The drug testing had been part of the contract for a while and then they suddenly said no. I was informed of that [Tuesday] morning. Suddenly they changed course and I don't know why."
Pacquiao wanted a huge monetary penalty if Mayweather was overweight because he ignored the contract limit of 144 pounds for his September fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, coming in at 146 pounds and paying a $600,000 penalty for the extra advantage.
Dan Rafael is ESPN.com's boxing writer.
^^did you see my post? Manny already agreed to take blood tests and all that and has past all his drug tests before. So far it seems bob arum and co don't want the intrusive 24/7 type of testing and they would prefer doping agencies used by the NFL, MLB or NBA.
But in the end, I'm betting Pacquiao will give in and the fight will go on.
But in the end, I'm betting Pacquiao will give in and the fight will go on.
What would they find in a blood test 3 days before that wouldn't be there immediately following the fight in the locker room.
LOL @ Dan Wetzel advising Team Pacquiao to basically bend over and take it up the ass.
Its not about the dumb tests, its about the principle here. The additional tests are unprecedented. Period.
I could understand if they pulled this shit on Shane Mosley, or someone who has a history of using, but for a guy who really never once failed a drug test...its bullshit.
Besides, the physician in the Top Rank article clearly stated that you would find everything in a urine test that you would a blood test.
LOL @ Dan Wetzel advising Team Pacquiao to basically bend over and take it up the ass.
Its not about the dumb tests, its about the principle here. The additional tests are unprecedented. Period.
I could understand if they pulled this shit on Shane Mosley, or someone who has a history of using, but for a guy who really never once failed a drug test...its bullshit.
Besides, the physician in the Top Rank article clearly stated that you would find everything in a urine test that you would a blood test.
^^I agree with you 100 comrade, but at this point I see what Dan Wetzel is saying - Pacquiao is damned if he doesn't give in. He'll be forever overshadowed by steroid accusations. All I have to say is the Mayweathers are incredibly dirty for this shit. I enjoy mind games as much as the next man, like Hopkins stomping on the Puerto Rican flag and Ali calling Fraizer a Gorilla, etc., but this is basically slander. If Pac takes these tests and comes out clean, after the fight I would try to sue the Mayweathers.
shit my bro got tats and hates taking blood.
i got to take blood for health reasons and it looks like more than a tablespoon and sometimes it is ( 3 viles ) .
it's not really the blood that scares me but i had a suggestion of taking over 3 a month for a few months and i refused.
i guess i could only take so much. i even dropped a doctor for making me take injections once a month.
so i understand. if you were in that position you'd be a lil iffy too.
i think it was human error that scared me more than anything. i don't trust that shit thinking i might get a dirty needle on accident.
blood and injections. if i don't have to do it i won't do it.
i got to take blood for health reasons and it looks like more than a tablespoon and sometimes it is ( 3 viles ) .
it's not really the blood that scares me but i had a suggestion of taking over 3 a month for a few months and i refused.
i guess i could only take so much. i even dropped a doctor for making me take injections once a month.
so i understand. if you were in that position you'd be a lil iffy too.
i think it was human error that scared me more than anything. i don't trust that shit thinking i might get a dirty needle on accident.
blood and injections. if i don't have to do it i won't do it.
^^slander/defamation. Floyd sr. straight up was telling people pac IS juicing, not maybe or this or that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation
Anyways, about the needles, I aint scared of needles but I feel woozy after I give blood.
Michael Koncz said Pac isn't scared of needles, he just believes giving blood will make him weaker, but said it isn't a big deal to pacquiao and it certainly isn't a deal breaker, as pac has to give blood several times a year, he just doesn't like doing it like the rest of us. 20 times in less than 8 weeks is crazy though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation
Anyways, about the needles, I aint scared of needles but I feel woozy after I give blood.
Michael Koncz said Pac isn't scared of needles, he just believes giving blood will make him weaker, but said it isn't a big deal to pacquiao and it certainly isn't a deal breaker, as pac has to give blood several times a year, he just doesn't like doing it like the rest of us. 20 times in less than 8 weeks is crazy though.
so the latest according to ESPN is that Pacquiao and freddie roach are willing to give blood during training camp and up to 48 hours before the fight and immediately after the fight. The problem Pacquiao has is that the USDA (the olympic drug testing agency) cannot guarantee they wouldn't randomly take blood the day before the fight or even the day of the fight.
So I can perfectly see where Pac is coming from, as I'm always woozy when I give blood and certainly wouldn't want to give blood just before the biggest fight of my life.
If Pacquiao is willing to do that, I see NO REASON why Floyd couldn't agree to another agency that would randomly drug test within that time frame. The ball is in mayweathers court now...
So I can perfectly see where Pac is coming from, as I'm always woozy when I give blood and certainly wouldn't want to give blood just before the biggest fight of my life.
If Pacquiao is willing to do that, I see NO REASON why Floyd couldn't agree to another agency that would randomly drug test within that time frame. The ball is in mayweathers court now...
Manny Pacquiao's promoter agrees to blood tests to save richest-ever fight
• Compromise made to allay Floyd Mayweather's suspicions
• Champion had objected to Olympic-style blood testing
The richest fight in boxing history came perilously close to being cancelled until Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, agreed to Floyd Mayweather's request that his fighter be blood-tested for performance-enhancing drugs.
The fight is tentatively set for 13 March, probably in Las Vegas. An announcement was to be made in New York on 6 January, as both parties, defying precedent, had come to quick agreement over splitting the $50m (£31.3m) purse, the division of pay-per-view revenues that might reach $150m and the 147lb weight limit.
Then Mayweather yesterday repeated suspicions voiced several times recently by his father, Floyd Sr, that Pacquiao has taken performance-enhancing drugs, an allegation the fighter strongly denies. They wonder how the WBO welterweight champion has kept his phenomenal punching power in rising up through seven weight divisions over 14 years, and asked for Olympic-standard, random pre-fight blood tests.
"I have already agreed to the testing," Mayweather said, "and it is a shame 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."
Arum told Reuters last night: "My gut feeling is Mayweather doesn't want to do the fight and this is his excuse. Period."
Arum's first reaction to the ultimatum was: "As far as I'm concerned, the fight is off." Within hours he had offered a compromise deal, one that Mayweather would be foolish to reject unless he wants to scupper a fight that could generate as much as $200m. "Manny will submit to as many random urine tests as requested," said Arum, who wants the testers used in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. "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, no later than 13 February, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny's locker room."
Golden Boy Promotions, which acts for Mayweather, says urine tests do not detect Human Growth Hormone, while the Olympic-standard blood tests they want do. Medical opinion is divided on the subject. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has dismissed the allegations as mischief-making. He said in an interview with ESPN this month: "Mayweather's side wanted it because the expert over there, Mayweather Sr, says Manny is on steroids to get bigger. They're scared of Manny and scared of his power. He'll pass any test in the world."
Pacquiao and Mayweather have had remarkably similar growth patterns. Both weighed and fought at 106lbs when 16, Mayweather as a Golden Gloves amateur star, Pacquiao as a skinny street kid in the Philippines. Pacquiao made his pro debut at the weight in 1995, and worked his way through the world's best in the lower weight divisions until moving to Los Angeles in 2001 to join Roach at his Wild Card gym, where his strong body filled out through improved nutrition and training methods.
Then he started to take on bigger fighters, such as Juan Manuel Márquez in 2004 and the super-feather warrior Erik Morales, followed by Marco Antonio Barrera, David Díaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and, most recently, Miguel Cotto, hardening the perception that he carries his power up through the weights.
This CV is not dissimilar to Mayweather's. Mayweather too has moved effortlessly through a gilded amateur and professional career from the same weight base, winning six pro world titles at five weights, and is clearly the bigger fighter of the two. Wrecking Pacquiao-Mayweather, for whatever reason, would amount to the most grand commercial folly. A resolution is expected imminently.
• Compromise made to allay Floyd Mayweather's suspicions
• Champion had objected to Olympic-style blood testing
The richest fight in boxing history came perilously close to being cancelled until Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, agreed to Floyd Mayweather's request that his fighter be blood-tested for performance-enhancing drugs.
The fight is tentatively set for 13 March, probably in Las Vegas. An announcement was to be made in New York on 6 January, as both parties, defying precedent, had come to quick agreement over splitting the $50m (£31.3m) purse, the division of pay-per-view revenues that might reach $150m and the 147lb weight limit.
Then Mayweather yesterday repeated suspicions voiced several times recently by his father, Floyd Sr, that Pacquiao has taken performance-enhancing drugs, an allegation the fighter strongly denies. They wonder how the WBO welterweight champion has kept his phenomenal punching power in rising up through seven weight divisions over 14 years, and asked for Olympic-standard, random pre-fight blood tests.
"I have already agreed to the testing," Mayweather said, "and it is a shame 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."
Arum told Reuters last night: "My gut feeling is Mayweather doesn't want to do the fight and this is his excuse. Period."
Arum's first reaction to the ultimatum was: "As far as I'm concerned, the fight is off." Within hours he had offered a compromise deal, one that Mayweather would be foolish to reject unless he wants to scupper a fight that could generate as much as $200m. "Manny will submit to as many random urine tests as requested," said Arum, who wants the testers used in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. "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, no later than 13 February, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny's locker room."
Golden Boy Promotions, which acts for Mayweather, says urine tests do not detect Human Growth Hormone, while the Olympic-standard blood tests they want do. Medical opinion is divided on the subject. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has dismissed the allegations as mischief-making. He said in an interview with ESPN this month: "Mayweather's side wanted it because the expert over there, Mayweather Sr, says Manny is on steroids to get bigger. They're scared of Manny and scared of his power. He'll pass any test in the world."
Pacquiao and Mayweather have had remarkably similar growth patterns. Both weighed and fought at 106lbs when 16, Mayweather as a Golden Gloves amateur star, Pacquiao as a skinny street kid in the Philippines. Pacquiao made his pro debut at the weight in 1995, and worked his way through the world's best in the lower weight divisions until moving to Los Angeles in 2001 to join Roach at his Wild Card gym, where his strong body filled out through improved nutrition and training methods.
Then he started to take on bigger fighters, such as Juan Manuel Márquez in 2004 and the super-feather warrior Erik Morales, followed by Marco Antonio Barrera, David Díaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and, most recently, Miguel Cotto, hardening the perception that he carries his power up through the weights.
This CV is not dissimilar to Mayweather's. Mayweather too has moved effortlessly through a gilded amateur and professional career from the same weight base, winning six pro world titles at five weights, and is clearly the bigger fighter of the two. Wrecking Pacquiao-Mayweather, for whatever reason, would amount to the most grand commercial folly. A resolution is expected imminently.