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Terry Norris: “Boxing has gotten soft. If you put Floyd Mayweather in my era
Terry Norris: “Boxing has gotten soft. If you put Floyd Mayweather in my era, I know a number of guys that were in my weight division that would beat him, including me!
Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - The 146th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured exclusive interviews with former three-time world champion “Terrible” Terry Norris (47-9, 31 KOs). Norris spoke about his Hall of Fame career and also shared some opinions and insight on the current boxing landscape. Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: Well since we’ve been speaking about Hall of Famers, I’m proud to announce a guest that a lot of our fans have been dying to have us get on the show. He’s our ninth Hall of Fame guest making his debut to On the Ropes Boxing Radio. We’re joined by former three-time world champion, “Terrible” Terry Norris. How’s everything going today Terry?
TERRY NORRIS: Everything is going good.
JENNA: Well that’s great to hear. Boxing fans have often suggested you as a guest for our show. You’re a guy that a lot of fans wanted to hear from. So I’d like to open things up and ask what you’ve been doing since your retirement, Terry?
NORRIS: Since my retirement I’ve done a number of things. One of the first things here is I’ve been trying to start a boxing foundation. It’s called “The Final Fight”. Also I’m writing a book with Bob Halloran. He wrote the book about the movie The Fighter.
JENNA: Terry, what’s been the biggest adjustment for you since you did retire in your life after boxing?
NORRIS: Well I guess it’s just pretty much every day life. You know you go out in the real world and just doing everyday things is kind of difficult at first. But then I kind of caught on to it, and I figured out how to do everything and then everything was good.
JENNA: Well for all the fans out there and for some of the fans who maybe aren’t as familiar with you, maybe you can tell them a little bit about how you got into the sport of boxing?
NORRIS: I started boxing when I was nine years old. My Mom put me in boxing just to keep me off the streets, and she did her best.
JENNA: Okay now you were also a very good baseball player. What made you decide to choose boxing over baseball?
NORRIS: Boxing was paying the bills, so boxing kind of took over for baseball because baseball wasn’t making me any money, so I had to go to what was making me a lot of money.
JENNA: Alright now Terry you actually had an extraordinary amateur career. You racked up 291 wins and had only 4 defeats. Can you tell us how that success helped you develop as a fighter?
NORRIS: Well it started when I was a kid boxing and beating a lot of guys. I didn’t think too much of it, but then I just kind of started liking boxing and it just kind of took off from there.
JENNA: Let’s talk a little bit about your expectations going into your professional career. After having the success in the amateurs, how far did you think you were going to go?
NORRIS: Well I really didn’t know. Me and my brother, my brother was the cruiserweight champion of the world, Orlin Norris—we both wanted to become world champions and we both got there, but it was a long road.
JENN: Okay, well great Terry. We’re also on the line with my Co-Host Geoff Ciani.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hi Terry. It’s a great pleasure to have you on the show.
NORRIS: How are you doing?
CIANI: I’m doing very well, thank you. Terry, when you look back on your career if there was one thing that you could change or do differently what would you have done differently?
NORRIS: What would I do different? It’s kind of hard to say what I would do, but I truly don’t think boxing would have been my first pick. I think I would have picked baseball.
CIANI: So you think you would have chosen baseball over boxing?
NORRIS: Yeah, just because of the things I’m going through now from boxing.
CIANI: Understood. Now on the other side, when you look back at the extraordinary boxing career that you did have, is there one particular moment or one particular fight that you are most proud of?
NORRIS: I guess the most proud was when I won that first world title, the first WBC world title. That was probably the happiest moment of my life. You know I had finally accomplished something that my Dad had wanted from years back. So I became a world champion for my Dad.
CIANI: Now when you won your first world title, can you tell us a little bit more about that fight and what it was like going into it?
NORRIS: Well that was against John “The Beast” Mugabi, and I was nervous. Everybody was telling me how hard John “The Beast” hit, so I was nervous. When I went in that fight I was confident that I was going to do everything I could to keep from being beat. It just so happened I hit John with a good right and hand a good left hook and that kind of ended the fight.
CIANI: Terry, changing things up here a little bit, one of the questions I like to ask the guests we have on our show is the story behind how they first started using their boxing nickname. In your case, I’m wondering if you could tell all of our fans out there how you first started using the nickname “Terrible” Terry Norris?
NORRIS: Well that came from my Mom too, back when I was just a terrible little kid just running around, and fighting and everything, and being a little bully. In my hometown I got the name “Terrible” Terry, and it just kind of stuck with me.
JENNA: Alright Terry well let’s switch things back to your boxing career, and one particular fight that sticks out above the rest because it was the biggest name you ever fought—Sugar Ray Leonard. You got a chance to meet with him in the ring in 1991. What did you think of that fight?
NORRIS: The fight with Ray was scary at first, because I’m fighting my idol. It was somebody that I kind of worshiped at one time, and it was also a guy that showed me a lot and taught me a lot. So it was a really nervous scary feeling stepping in that ring.
JENNA: How did you feel when you knocked him down in the second round?
NORRIS: That first knockdown when I hit Ray with that left hook and dropped him, I just couldn’t believe it. I was just so happy. From that point right there Ray didn’t win another round. After the second round he didn’t win one round.
JENNA: Now that fight with Sugar Ray Leonard was kind of a springboard for your career. A lot more people got to know you and you had more notoriety from it, and you also had a lot of success after it. You had a long title reign. Can you tell us what that run was like for you?
NORRIS: You know that was quite a long run I had as champion. It was a great feeling. You know I had fun doing it. Right now I still can’t believe it. I accomplished a lot of things.
JENNA: Yeah. You certainly did accomplish a lot of things, and one thing throughout your career is you had a few unusual defeats. You had three disqualification losses. Can you tell the fans about how those losses happened to you?
NORRIS: With those three disqualifications, I think that was just me being a little over anxious and I just wasn’t paying attention to what was going on. It wasn’t like I lost my head or lost my mind. It was just total mistakes.
JENNA: Alright Terry, well one thing that sets you apart from a lot of the other former champions out there was your success in rematches. When you got a second opportunity at an opponent you beat them. Can you tell us why you think you were able to do that?
NORRIS: The Simon Brown defeat, that fight with the first fight we had kind of shocked me. He came out and just tried to run over me. He threw a bunch of power punches and just knocked me down and hit me in the back of my head. So he used a lot of cheesy tactics and kind of took me out of my game. So I lost that first fight, but then the second fight was a whole different story. I was in the best shape of my life and I could dance for twelve rounds and I knew it. Then that fight I outboxed Simon Brown for twelve rounds just moving, and stepping, and jabs, 1-2’s. It was a great fight.
JENNA: Now what about the Luis Santana fight? The fact that you got disqualified the first two times, what were you feeling going in the third time?
NORRIS: Well the third time I was just like, “Terry, don’t make any mistakes!” I knew I was going to beat him. Luis Santana wasn’t that good of a fighter. I knew I would beat him, but I just didn’t want to get careless and do something stupid. That’s a fight though where I learned a big lesson and I was just able to move on.
CIANI: Terry, going back to when you first started becoming interested in boxing, who were some of the boxers that you looked up to and most admired at that time?
NORRIS: The most admired was Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali. Those were my idols, and of course I watched Joe Frazier, and Marvin Hagler. I watched everybody.
CIANI: When you look at the stars in boxing today, the two big names we have right now are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior, and I was wondering if you could tell the fans out there what you think of those guys?
NORRIS: You know I really don’t think too much of those guys. If they were back in my era they wouldn’t be champions. Boxing has gotten soft. If you put Floyd Mayweather in my era, I know a number of guys that were in my weight division that would beat him, including me! I don’t think that much of boxing today.
CIANI: Now you said you think you could beat Floyd. I’m curious Terry, a lot of fans tune in to Floyd hoping to watch him lose. In your view, what would be the key to beating him?
NORRIS: The key to beating Floyd is somebody that’s going to go in there and mix it up with Floyd. Not box him, but go at him, bang Floyd, push Floyd around, and hit him with uppercuts and hit him with things that he’s just not expecting to be hit with. You need somebody strong, somebody bold, and somebody that’s real aggressive and just throws a lot of punches, and goes in there in the best shape of their life and ready to go.
CIANI: Now given the description you just gave there, do you think if they ever fought that Manny Pacquiao could beat him?
NORRIS: No. Manny Pacquiao can’t beat him. There is no way Pacquiao can beat Mayweather! He comes forward, but he’s not that strong. He’s not like a real power puncher. He’s not as fast as Floyd, so Floyd will be able to outmaneuver him, throw different combinations, use his speed, and outmaneuver him. I believe that right there would be a very easy fight for Floyd.
JENNA: Okay now Terry, you mentioned before that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior wouldn’t do so good in your era. I’m wondering, there were so many great fighters when you fought, was there any particular one that you wished you could have gotten in the ring with that you didn’t?
NORRIS: Not really. When I was fighting, I wanted to fight everybody but now that I’m not fighting I really don’t care. Back then I would have loved to have fought De La Hoya. I would have loved to have been able to fight Floyd. I would have loved to have been able to prove that Floyd is not the best fighter in the world, and I know I could have beaten him.
JENNA: Now you mentioned De La Hoya, you actually almost had an opportunity to fight him. I think that you were close to having a deal in place to fight him after the Keith Mullings fight, but you got upset. Do you at all regret not getting that fight?
NORRIS: Well you know I did for awhile, but it wasn’t in to my life. Ideally I did want that fight, but I guess God didn’t want it that way.
JENNA: Alright well Terry, let’s talk about your decision to retire from boxing. You had three straight losses to end your career. What made you finally decide this was the end?
NORRIS: Well losing those three fights, I should have quit long before that. I was having problems in those fights and even before those fights. So that’s when maybe I believe had my Parkinson’s syndrome.
JENNA: Well Terry I just have a couple of more questions before we let you off the line. You mentioned some of the difficulties you’re having today. What’s the best advice that you could give to a young and upcoming fighter?
NORRIS: My best advice would be don’t start too early boxing, and don’t end too late.
JENNA: Okay and finally Terry, you have a lot of boxing fans out there, people who follow you on Facebook, people that have followed you ever since your career started until now. Is there anything you want to say to them?
NORRIS: I would like to just say to everyone that I’m okay. I have Parkinson’s syndrome, which I’ve had for awhile. I take very good care of myself, and my wife is the best ever! Also I’m coming out with a reality show. It’s called “Lady and the Champ”, and you can see all about the champ and what’s going on in my life.
JENNA: Well I definitely look forward to that “Lady and the Champ” reality show. You heard it out there. Terry, it was a pleasure having you on the show. I do wish you all the best, and it’s just great to hear that you’re out there and letting the fans know what’s up with you and everything that’s going on with your life.
NORRIS: Thank you.
CIANI: Thank you very much, Terry. Best of luck!
NORRIS: Alright. Thanks a lot.
***
Terry Norris: “Boxing has gotten soft. If you put Floyd Mayweather in my era, I know a number of guys that were in my weight division that would beat him, including me!
Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - The 146th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured exclusive interviews with former three-time world champion “Terrible” Terry Norris (47-9, 31 KOs). Norris spoke about his Hall of Fame career and also shared some opinions and insight on the current boxing landscape. Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: Well since we’ve been speaking about Hall of Famers, I’m proud to announce a guest that a lot of our fans have been dying to have us get on the show. He’s our ninth Hall of Fame guest making his debut to On the Ropes Boxing Radio. We’re joined by former three-time world champion, “Terrible” Terry Norris. How’s everything going today Terry?
TERRY NORRIS: Everything is going good.
JENNA: Well that’s great to hear. Boxing fans have often suggested you as a guest for our show. You’re a guy that a lot of fans wanted to hear from. So I’d like to open things up and ask what you’ve been doing since your retirement, Terry?
NORRIS: Since my retirement I’ve done a number of things. One of the first things here is I’ve been trying to start a boxing foundation. It’s called “The Final Fight”. Also I’m writing a book with Bob Halloran. He wrote the book about the movie The Fighter.
JENNA: Terry, what’s been the biggest adjustment for you since you did retire in your life after boxing?
NORRIS: Well I guess it’s just pretty much every day life. You know you go out in the real world and just doing everyday things is kind of difficult at first. But then I kind of caught on to it, and I figured out how to do everything and then everything was good.
JENNA: Well for all the fans out there and for some of the fans who maybe aren’t as familiar with you, maybe you can tell them a little bit about how you got into the sport of boxing?
NORRIS: I started boxing when I was nine years old. My Mom put me in boxing just to keep me off the streets, and she did her best.
JENNA: Okay now you were also a very good baseball player. What made you decide to choose boxing over baseball?
NORRIS: Boxing was paying the bills, so boxing kind of took over for baseball because baseball wasn’t making me any money, so I had to go to what was making me a lot of money.
JENNA: Alright now Terry you actually had an extraordinary amateur career. You racked up 291 wins and had only 4 defeats. Can you tell us how that success helped you develop as a fighter?
NORRIS: Well it started when I was a kid boxing and beating a lot of guys. I didn’t think too much of it, but then I just kind of started liking boxing and it just kind of took off from there.
JENNA: Let’s talk a little bit about your expectations going into your professional career. After having the success in the amateurs, how far did you think you were going to go?
NORRIS: Well I really didn’t know. Me and my brother, my brother was the cruiserweight champion of the world, Orlin Norris—we both wanted to become world champions and we both got there, but it was a long road.
JENN: Okay, well great Terry. We’re also on the line with my Co-Host Geoff Ciani.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hi Terry. It’s a great pleasure to have you on the show.
NORRIS: How are you doing?
CIANI: I’m doing very well, thank you. Terry, when you look back on your career if there was one thing that you could change or do differently what would you have done differently?
NORRIS: What would I do different? It’s kind of hard to say what I would do, but I truly don’t think boxing would have been my first pick. I think I would have picked baseball.
CIANI: So you think you would have chosen baseball over boxing?
NORRIS: Yeah, just because of the things I’m going through now from boxing.
CIANI: Understood. Now on the other side, when you look back at the extraordinary boxing career that you did have, is there one particular moment or one particular fight that you are most proud of?
NORRIS: I guess the most proud was when I won that first world title, the first WBC world title. That was probably the happiest moment of my life. You know I had finally accomplished something that my Dad had wanted from years back. So I became a world champion for my Dad.
CIANI: Now when you won your first world title, can you tell us a little bit more about that fight and what it was like going into it?
NORRIS: Well that was against John “The Beast” Mugabi, and I was nervous. Everybody was telling me how hard John “The Beast” hit, so I was nervous. When I went in that fight I was confident that I was going to do everything I could to keep from being beat. It just so happened I hit John with a good right and hand a good left hook and that kind of ended the fight.
CIANI: Terry, changing things up here a little bit, one of the questions I like to ask the guests we have on our show is the story behind how they first started using their boxing nickname. In your case, I’m wondering if you could tell all of our fans out there how you first started using the nickname “Terrible” Terry Norris?
NORRIS: Well that came from my Mom too, back when I was just a terrible little kid just running around, and fighting and everything, and being a little bully. In my hometown I got the name “Terrible” Terry, and it just kind of stuck with me.
JENNA: Alright Terry well let’s switch things back to your boxing career, and one particular fight that sticks out above the rest because it was the biggest name you ever fought—Sugar Ray Leonard. You got a chance to meet with him in the ring in 1991. What did you think of that fight?
NORRIS: The fight with Ray was scary at first, because I’m fighting my idol. It was somebody that I kind of worshiped at one time, and it was also a guy that showed me a lot and taught me a lot. So it was a really nervous scary feeling stepping in that ring.
JENNA: How did you feel when you knocked him down in the second round?
NORRIS: That first knockdown when I hit Ray with that left hook and dropped him, I just couldn’t believe it. I was just so happy. From that point right there Ray didn’t win another round. After the second round he didn’t win one round.
JENNA: Now that fight with Sugar Ray Leonard was kind of a springboard for your career. A lot more people got to know you and you had more notoriety from it, and you also had a lot of success after it. You had a long title reign. Can you tell us what that run was like for you?
NORRIS: You know that was quite a long run I had as champion. It was a great feeling. You know I had fun doing it. Right now I still can’t believe it. I accomplished a lot of things.
JENNA: Yeah. You certainly did accomplish a lot of things, and one thing throughout your career is you had a few unusual defeats. You had three disqualification losses. Can you tell the fans about how those losses happened to you?
NORRIS: With those three disqualifications, I think that was just me being a little over anxious and I just wasn’t paying attention to what was going on. It wasn’t like I lost my head or lost my mind. It was just total mistakes.
JENNA: Alright Terry, well one thing that sets you apart from a lot of the other former champions out there was your success in rematches. When you got a second opportunity at an opponent you beat them. Can you tell us why you think you were able to do that?
NORRIS: The Simon Brown defeat, that fight with the first fight we had kind of shocked me. He came out and just tried to run over me. He threw a bunch of power punches and just knocked me down and hit me in the back of my head. So he used a lot of cheesy tactics and kind of took me out of my game. So I lost that first fight, but then the second fight was a whole different story. I was in the best shape of my life and I could dance for twelve rounds and I knew it. Then that fight I outboxed Simon Brown for twelve rounds just moving, and stepping, and jabs, 1-2’s. It was a great fight.
JENNA: Now what about the Luis Santana fight? The fact that you got disqualified the first two times, what were you feeling going in the third time?
NORRIS: Well the third time I was just like, “Terry, don’t make any mistakes!” I knew I was going to beat him. Luis Santana wasn’t that good of a fighter. I knew I would beat him, but I just didn’t want to get careless and do something stupid. That’s a fight though where I learned a big lesson and I was just able to move on.
CIANI: Terry, going back to when you first started becoming interested in boxing, who were some of the boxers that you looked up to and most admired at that time?
NORRIS: The most admired was Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali. Those were my idols, and of course I watched Joe Frazier, and Marvin Hagler. I watched everybody.
CIANI: When you look at the stars in boxing today, the two big names we have right now are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior, and I was wondering if you could tell the fans out there what you think of those guys?
NORRIS: You know I really don’t think too much of those guys. If they were back in my era they wouldn’t be champions. Boxing has gotten soft. If you put Floyd Mayweather in my era, I know a number of guys that were in my weight division that would beat him, including me! I don’t think that much of boxing today.
CIANI: Now you said you think you could beat Floyd. I’m curious Terry, a lot of fans tune in to Floyd hoping to watch him lose. In your view, what would be the key to beating him?
NORRIS: The key to beating Floyd is somebody that’s going to go in there and mix it up with Floyd. Not box him, but go at him, bang Floyd, push Floyd around, and hit him with uppercuts and hit him with things that he’s just not expecting to be hit with. You need somebody strong, somebody bold, and somebody that’s real aggressive and just throws a lot of punches, and goes in there in the best shape of their life and ready to go.
CIANI: Now given the description you just gave there, do you think if they ever fought that Manny Pacquiao could beat him?
NORRIS: No. Manny Pacquiao can’t beat him. There is no way Pacquiao can beat Mayweather! He comes forward, but he’s not that strong. He’s not like a real power puncher. He’s not as fast as Floyd, so Floyd will be able to outmaneuver him, throw different combinations, use his speed, and outmaneuver him. I believe that right there would be a very easy fight for Floyd.
JENNA: Okay now Terry, you mentioned before that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior wouldn’t do so good in your era. I’m wondering, there were so many great fighters when you fought, was there any particular one that you wished you could have gotten in the ring with that you didn’t?
NORRIS: Not really. When I was fighting, I wanted to fight everybody but now that I’m not fighting I really don’t care. Back then I would have loved to have fought De La Hoya. I would have loved to have been able to fight Floyd. I would have loved to have been able to prove that Floyd is not the best fighter in the world, and I know I could have beaten him.
JENNA: Now you mentioned De La Hoya, you actually almost had an opportunity to fight him. I think that you were close to having a deal in place to fight him after the Keith Mullings fight, but you got upset. Do you at all regret not getting that fight?
NORRIS: Well you know I did for awhile, but it wasn’t in to my life. Ideally I did want that fight, but I guess God didn’t want it that way.
JENNA: Alright well Terry, let’s talk about your decision to retire from boxing. You had three straight losses to end your career. What made you finally decide this was the end?
NORRIS: Well losing those three fights, I should have quit long before that. I was having problems in those fights and even before those fights. So that’s when maybe I believe had my Parkinson’s syndrome.
JENNA: Well Terry I just have a couple of more questions before we let you off the line. You mentioned some of the difficulties you’re having today. What’s the best advice that you could give to a young and upcoming fighter?
NORRIS: My best advice would be don’t start too early boxing, and don’t end too late.
JENNA: Okay and finally Terry, you have a lot of boxing fans out there, people who follow you on Facebook, people that have followed you ever since your career started until now. Is there anything you want to say to them?
NORRIS: I would like to just say to everyone that I’m okay. I have Parkinson’s syndrome, which I’ve had for awhile. I take very good care of myself, and my wife is the best ever! Also I’m coming out with a reality show. It’s called “Lady and the Champ”, and you can see all about the champ and what’s going on in my life.
JENNA: Well I definitely look forward to that “Lady and the Champ” reality show. You heard it out there. Terry, it was a pleasure having you on the show. I do wish you all the best, and it’s just great to hear that you’re out there and letting the fans know what’s up with you and everything that’s going on with your life.
NORRIS: Thank you.
CIANI: Thank you very much, Terry. Best of luck!
NORRIS: Alright. Thanks a lot.
***
Hopkins wants disqualification win over Dawson
By Jason Kim: 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins is no longer satisfied with trying to have his fight from last weekend against Chad Dawson changed from a 2nd round TKO loss to a no contest.
Hopkins now wants the results to be changed to a disqualification win, as Hopkins feels that Dawson intentionally knocked him down when he snatched Hopkins’ left leg and lifted him off the canvas before letting go, leaving Hopkins to fall backwards onto the canvas where he injured his left shoulder.
An x-ray was done on his shoulder and it reportedly showed that Hopkins suffered a dislocated left shoulder.
Hopkins told ESPN.com, “Dawson should be disqualified because that was no accident. I think it should be a DQ because it was intentional. He intended to hurt me, period. I’m asking for a disqualification because of the intent.”
Hopkins will keep his WBC title whether Dawson is disqualified or the fight is changed to a no contest. Trying to prove that Dawson was looking to hurt Hopkins when he bucked him off of his back is going to be hard to do, and I really can’t see the California Athletic Commission making that kind of ruling.
At best, they’ll overturn the result and make it a no contest. Hopkins can then move on and look for someone else to defend his title against. Dawson is already targeting Jean Pascal for a fight that would take place possibly in December. If Hopkins wants to fight Dawson again he’s going to have to make him a big offer, because he’s got other targets. Hopkins really needs to fight Dawson again because Hopkins looked the worse of the two fighters and he has a lot of proving to do.
By Jason Kim: 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins is no longer satisfied with trying to have his fight from last weekend against Chad Dawson changed from a 2nd round TKO loss to a no contest.
Hopkins now wants the results to be changed to a disqualification win, as Hopkins feels that Dawson intentionally knocked him down when he snatched Hopkins’ left leg and lifted him off the canvas before letting go, leaving Hopkins to fall backwards onto the canvas where he injured his left shoulder.
An x-ray was done on his shoulder and it reportedly showed that Hopkins suffered a dislocated left shoulder.
Hopkins told ESPN.com, “Dawson should be disqualified because that was no accident. I think it should be a DQ because it was intentional. He intended to hurt me, period. I’m asking for a disqualification because of the intent.”
Hopkins will keep his WBC title whether Dawson is disqualified or the fight is changed to a no contest. Trying to prove that Dawson was looking to hurt Hopkins when he bucked him off of his back is going to be hard to do, and I really can’t see the California Athletic Commission making that kind of ruling.
At best, they’ll overturn the result and make it a no contest. Hopkins can then move on and look for someone else to defend his title against. Dawson is already targeting Jean Pascal for a fight that would take place possibly in December. If Hopkins wants to fight Dawson again he’s going to have to make him a big offer, because he’s got other targets. Hopkins really needs to fight Dawson again because Hopkins looked the worse of the two fighters and he has a lot of proving to do.
Froch moving to the U.S
By Scott Gilfoid: It looks like WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KO’s) is leaving the UK to move to the United States to continue his career here. This must be sad news for British fans, but I guess I don’t blame Froch. It’s taken him ages to become a star there, while other fighters have streamed to the top ahead of him. Hopefully there won’t be too many tears, but Froch is better off in America. He’ll make bigger money and live well.
Froch said to the dailymail.co.uk “Yes, you could say I’ll be turning my back on Britain, although we’ll keep a place in Nottingham. I wasn’t backed by Britain even after I won the world title. That fight was on ITV but even then British TV never really got behind me. But now I’ve had a couple of big fights in the U.S, the TV people over there are so supportive.”
It’ll be good to have Froch over here. Who knows? Maybe Froch can become an American and give up his British citizenship? I think Froch would have been a star a long time ago had he been fighting in the U.S instead of Britain. He would be a busier Kelly Pavlik type and maybe even a pay per view star.
The problem for Froch now is he’s facing WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward on December 17th in the Super Six tournament finals and I think it’s going to go badly for Froch. Ward will probably whip him and win by a lopsided 12 round decision, and that will get Froch off to a bad start for his U.S journey.
Froch is one of those types of guys that I think you have to selectively match. You put him in with a slugger, and he does well. But against a talented fighter like Andre Dirrell or Ward, Froch comes down to earth. It’ll be a shutout loss for Froch. The only hope for Froch is that he puts in a good effort in losing and can win fans.
By Scott Gilfoid: It looks like WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KO’s) is leaving the UK to move to the United States to continue his career here. This must be sad news for British fans, but I guess I don’t blame Froch. It’s taken him ages to become a star there, while other fighters have streamed to the top ahead of him. Hopefully there won’t be too many tears, but Froch is better off in America. He’ll make bigger money and live well.
Froch said to the dailymail.co.uk “Yes, you could say I’ll be turning my back on Britain, although we’ll keep a place in Nottingham. I wasn’t backed by Britain even after I won the world title. That fight was on ITV but even then British TV never really got behind me. But now I’ve had a couple of big fights in the U.S, the TV people over there are so supportive.”
It’ll be good to have Froch over here. Who knows? Maybe Froch can become an American and give up his British citizenship? I think Froch would have been a star a long time ago had he been fighting in the U.S instead of Britain. He would be a busier Kelly Pavlik type and maybe even a pay per view star.
The problem for Froch now is he’s facing WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward on December 17th in the Super Six tournament finals and I think it’s going to go badly for Froch. Ward will probably whip him and win by a lopsided 12 round decision, and that will get Froch off to a bad start for his U.S journey.
Froch is one of those types of guys that I think you have to selectively match. You put him in with a slugger, and he does well. But against a talented fighter like Andre Dirrell or Ward, Froch comes down to earth. It’ll be a shutout loss for Froch. The only hope for Froch is that he puts in a good effort in losing and can win fans.
Shane Mosley “I’ll definitely be back, I got to fight a couple of more times, I still got it in my blood”
BY: Vitali Shaposhnikov
After his lackluster performance against Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2) in May, most people expected and hoped for Shane Mosley (46-7-1) to retire from the sport of boxing. Despite being a tremendous fighter and a living legend, Shane looked old and uninterested in fighting the younger and obviously stronger Pacquiao.
Just a few weeks ago I spoke with Shane Mosley about his future in boxing, and got some answers to our question of whether he will fight again.
“Yea I’ll definitely be back. I got to fight a couple of more times, I still got it in my blood,” said Mosley to me when asked whether his fans should expect to see him back in action anytime soon if ever. Not only is Shane planning a comeback fight, but is poised to stick around for a few more. He threw out a couple of names as next possible opponents, such as the winner of Antonio Margarito (38-7-0) vs. Miguel Cotto (36-2-0), and also mentioned Andre Berto (28-1-0).
Another very interesting thing that I have learned from Shane in our conversation is that he is extremely serious in having his son continue his legacy in the sport: “Hopefully I can let my son take over. I’m trying to get him ready.”
There are always sons trying to take over after their fathers retire from boxing, thus it’s not uncommon to hear such news. Still, I am very curious to see how Shane’s son performs, and whether his fighting style will remind us of his father’s.
BY: Vitali Shaposhnikov
After his lackluster performance against Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2) in May, most people expected and hoped for Shane Mosley (46-7-1) to retire from the sport of boxing. Despite being a tremendous fighter and a living legend, Shane looked old and uninterested in fighting the younger and obviously stronger Pacquiao.
Just a few weeks ago I spoke with Shane Mosley about his future in boxing, and got some answers to our question of whether he will fight again.
“Yea I’ll definitely be back. I got to fight a couple of more times, I still got it in my blood,” said Mosley to me when asked whether his fans should expect to see him back in action anytime soon if ever. Not only is Shane planning a comeback fight, but is poised to stick around for a few more. He threw out a couple of names as next possible opponents, such as the winner of Antonio Margarito (38-7-0) vs. Miguel Cotto (36-2-0), and also mentioned Andre Berto (28-1-0).
Another very interesting thing that I have learned from Shane in our conversation is that he is extremely serious in having his son continue his legacy in the sport: “Hopefully I can let my son take over. I’m trying to get him ready.”
There are always sons trying to take over after their fathers retire from boxing, thus it’s not uncommon to hear such news. Still, I am very curious to see how Shane’s son performs, and whether his fighting style will remind us of his father’s.
Look at showtime with some possible monster cards for hardcore fans for the end of the year!
Shumenov-Erdei with Ramos-Rigondeaux Card being pitched to Showtime.
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Another interesting card being pitched to @SHOsports for Dec. 31: Shumenov-Erdei with Ramos-Rigondeaux. #boxing
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Aother fight being pitched to @SHOsports for Dec. 31 is a Pirog-Geale middleweight unification bout with Dzinziruk on the undercard. #boxing
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Was told possible Dec. 31 Showtime card could be doubleheader with @TavorisCloud and @K9boxing defending their belts. #boxing
Shumenov-Erdei with Ramos-Rigondeaux Card being pitched to Showtime.
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Another interesting card being pitched to @SHOsports for Dec. 31: Shumenov-Erdei with Ramos-Rigondeaux. #boxing
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Aother fight being pitched to @SHOsports for Dec. 31 is a Pirog-Geale middleweight unification bout with Dzinziruk on the undercard. #boxing
danrafaelespn Dan Rafael
Was told possible Dec. 31 Showtime card could be doubleheader with @TavorisCloud and @K9boxing defending their belts. #boxing
For everybody questioning numbers for PPV being released, Rafael reported its because Mayweather is sorting out tax issues and wont give permission for numbers to be released until he comes to agreement with IRS.
"For weeks, I have heard the same question over and over: Why is it taking so long for the pay-per-view numbers for the Sept. 17 Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight to be released? Speculation is running rampant that the fight must have tanked and that Mayweather, Golden Boy and HBO are hiding the numbers to avoid embarrassing the fighter. That is simply not true. All along, those directly involved in the fight have told me repeatedly that the fight did very well -- in excess of 1 million buys and most likely around 1.2 million or so, which puts it right up there among the top few non-heavyweight PPVs of all time. You'd think that would be something they would want to brag about. And it is. However, HBO can't disclose numbers without consent from the promoter, Golden Boy. And Golden Boy won't disclose the numbers without the approval of Mayweather. From what I understand -- and this is something I thought about not long after the numbers began to take much longer than usual -- the reason for the delay is because Mayweather is finalizing a settlement with the IRS over his tax bill and wants Golden Boy to hold off. Once the tax deal is complete, only then will we hear numbers that will give Mayweather another massive (and taxable) windfall."
Mayweather is smart make that deal with the IRS, then release them PPV numbers
"For weeks, I have heard the same question over and over: Why is it taking so long for the pay-per-view numbers for the Sept. 17 Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight to be released? Speculation is running rampant that the fight must have tanked and that Mayweather, Golden Boy and HBO are hiding the numbers to avoid embarrassing the fighter. That is simply not true. All along, those directly involved in the fight have told me repeatedly that the fight did very well -- in excess of 1 million buys and most likely around 1.2 million or so, which puts it right up there among the top few non-heavyweight PPVs of all time. You'd think that would be something they would want to brag about. And it is. However, HBO can't disclose numbers without consent from the promoter, Golden Boy. And Golden Boy won't disclose the numbers without the approval of Mayweather. From what I understand -- and this is something I thought about not long after the numbers began to take much longer than usual -- the reason for the delay is because Mayweather is finalizing a settlement with the IRS over his tax bill and wants Golden Boy to hold off. Once the tax deal is complete, only then will we hear numbers that will give Mayweather another massive (and taxable) windfall."
Mayweather is smart make that deal with the IRS, then release them PPV numbers
^^that seems smart, but at the same time IRS are some snakes so that could possibly bite him in the ass later. They could come back next year and say "oh well you made X amount of money you didn't disclose" etc. Obviously Floyd has his own team of people working on it, so I'm pretty sure they know what their doing, just a thought that crossed my mind.
Victor Conte vs Alex Ariza
Written by Michael Woods
competition among fighters is fierce, that's a no brainer. But the competition among strength and conditioning gurus can get pretty down and dirty as well.
Alex Ariza, the man who oversees S & C for Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, and Victor Conte, who advises Nonito Donaire and Andre Berto on proper training methods and supplement intake, got at each other pretty good a couple days ago. I wrote a lengthy look at Conte's status as a hot S & C guy in boxing for ESPN.com. Check that out here http://es.pn/n237WY.
I was interested in Conte's interest in Ariza, as I'd noticed that the ex BALCO badboy tweaked Ariza regularly on Twitter. He insinuated that maybe Ariza took shortcuts to help prep his fighters. Conte, who said he thinks illegal PED use in boxing is "rampant," said he is indeed skeptical of Ariza, because of Pacquiao's late-age performance spike and ability to jump weight classes. "It doesn't mean it can't be done," Conte told me. "I expect Nonito to move up in class. It can be done." But...
Conte said that many boxers are blood doping, essentially getting blood extracted, having their red blood cells concentrated, and then getting the red blood cell re-infused into their body. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, so having more of them will increase aerobic capacity and endurance. "Basically, the guys that are out there throwing punches for 12 rounds non-stop, I'm suspicious," Conte told me.
Conte said he's been told by sparring partners of big name fighters that EPO, a hormone which spurs red blood cell production, is a favorite of fighters. "I'm not going to talk names," he said.
Conte cast a doubting eye on any boxer who protests that the testing protocol they agree to is what the athletic commissions call for. "That position is suspect," he said. "I'm trying to say, around the camps, there are a lot of dead bodies. As soon as accusations start, the defamation suits start to fly. It costs money, and they're trying to muzzle people."
Speaking of suspect. Ariza is clearly no fan of Conte. Reached on the phone Wednesday night, the Californian who started in the game about six years ago working with Diego Corrales, dismissed Conte as a phony.
"I don't think he's a conditioning coach," Ariza scoffed. "I don't know where he went to school. We all have education and credentials."
Ariza says that because fighters often aren't in structured systems, they aren't subject to the same level of education that say college football players are. That leaves them open, he says, to people who prey on their ignorance. "Conte can sell stuff, say 'take this pill, this powder.' I don't train fighters like that. I go to hard work. Victor's a salesman."
Ariza says he takes Conte's slams as a compliment, because his fighter's are excelling to the point where people think they must be cheating. "Is it jealousy? Absolutely. He should go back to playing guitar and leave the real work to the real people. I and and my fighters are clean. I have nothing to hide."
Damn, I'd like to see that level of heat and fire in some of the fighters we've seen stink out the joint in marquee bouts as of late.
Written by Michael Woods
competition among fighters is fierce, that's a no brainer. But the competition among strength and conditioning gurus can get pretty down and dirty as well.
Alex Ariza, the man who oversees S & C for Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, and Victor Conte, who advises Nonito Donaire and Andre Berto on proper training methods and supplement intake, got at each other pretty good a couple days ago. I wrote a lengthy look at Conte's status as a hot S & C guy in boxing for ESPN.com. Check that out here http://es.pn/n237WY.
I was interested in Conte's interest in Ariza, as I'd noticed that the ex BALCO badboy tweaked Ariza regularly on Twitter. He insinuated that maybe Ariza took shortcuts to help prep his fighters. Conte, who said he thinks illegal PED use in boxing is "rampant," said he is indeed skeptical of Ariza, because of Pacquiao's late-age performance spike and ability to jump weight classes. "It doesn't mean it can't be done," Conte told me. "I expect Nonito to move up in class. It can be done." But...
Conte said that many boxers are blood doping, essentially getting blood extracted, having their red blood cells concentrated, and then getting the red blood cell re-infused into their body. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, so having more of them will increase aerobic capacity and endurance. "Basically, the guys that are out there throwing punches for 12 rounds non-stop, I'm suspicious," Conte told me.
Conte said he's been told by sparring partners of big name fighters that EPO, a hormone which spurs red blood cell production, is a favorite of fighters. "I'm not going to talk names," he said.
Conte cast a doubting eye on any boxer who protests that the testing protocol they agree to is what the athletic commissions call for. "That position is suspect," he said. "I'm trying to say, around the camps, there are a lot of dead bodies. As soon as accusations start, the defamation suits start to fly. It costs money, and they're trying to muzzle people."
Speaking of suspect. Ariza is clearly no fan of Conte. Reached on the phone Wednesday night, the Californian who started in the game about six years ago working with Diego Corrales, dismissed Conte as a phony.
"I don't think he's a conditioning coach," Ariza scoffed. "I don't know where he went to school. We all have education and credentials."
Ariza says that because fighters often aren't in structured systems, they aren't subject to the same level of education that say college football players are. That leaves them open, he says, to people who prey on their ignorance. "Conte can sell stuff, say 'take this pill, this powder.' I don't train fighters like that. I go to hard work. Victor's a salesman."
Ariza says he takes Conte's slams as a compliment, because his fighter's are excelling to the point where people think they must be cheating. "Is it jealousy? Absolutely. He should go back to playing guitar and leave the real work to the real people. I and and my fighters are clean. I have nothing to hide."
Damn, I'd like to see that level of heat and fire in some of the fighters we've seen stink out the joint in marquee bouts as of late.
^^Ariza's fighter in Amir Khan has been completely, randomly, blood tested (because the UK has different laws then the US) and he came up clean every time. Just FYI on that. Khan has also stated numerous times he'll take random drug testing against Floyd and anything else floyd wants.
Conte is a bit of a hypocrite because Donaire is going to go all the way up to 130 pounds if not more. Both guys are going to talk shit about eachother
I think it's more about competition. Conte is basically in the same job position as Ariza is. He's a conditioning coach now basically.
Conte is a bit of a hypocrite because Donaire is going to go all the way up to 130 pounds if not more. Both guys are going to talk shit about eachother
I think it's more about competition. Conte is basically in the same job position as Ariza is. He's a conditioning coach now basically.
Maidana targeting Mayweather, Khan, Morales for next bout
By Dan Ambrose: WBA light welterweight champion Marcos Maidana (31-2, 28 KO’s) has a list of potential fighters he’d like to take on next and on top of the list is unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. trailed by rematches against Amir Khan and Erik Morales.
However, the odds of facing Mayweather and Khan are pretty much zero, as Khan has shown no interest in all in fighting Maidana again after struggling to a 12 round decision last December.
Mayweather just made a nice bundle in beating Victor Ortiz in September and will likely be going into his hibernation mode for the next year where he doesn’t fight. This leaves only the 35-year-old Morales, who Maidana defeated by a 12 round split decision last April.
According to ESPN, Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, spoke to Morales about a Maidana-Morales II rematch and he’s currently thinking about it. If Morales agrees to it the fight will possibly be coupled with a rematch between Jorge Linares and Antonio DeMarco. That fight would take place next year and Schaefer really likes the idea of putting that fight card together.
Maidana hasn’t done much since beating Morales. He was supposed to fight Robert Guerrero in September. However, Guerrero injured his shoulder in sparring and Maidana opted to fight little known Petr Petrov, stopping him in the 4th round in a terrible mismatch. Morales offered to step in and fight Maidana but Maidana didn’t like the idea of fighting Morales on one week’s notice. He wanted more time to train for Morales’ style.
Morales obviously likes his chances in a rematch with Maidana. But Morales wants to fight DeMarco next to try and capture the WBC lightweight crown. Schaefer thinks that the World Boxing Council may order a rematch between Linares and DeMarco. If that happens then Morales will have to look in another direction.
By Dan Ambrose: WBA light welterweight champion Marcos Maidana (31-2, 28 KO’s) has a list of potential fighters he’d like to take on next and on top of the list is unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. trailed by rematches against Amir Khan and Erik Morales.
However, the odds of facing Mayweather and Khan are pretty much zero, as Khan has shown no interest in all in fighting Maidana again after struggling to a 12 round decision last December.
Mayweather just made a nice bundle in beating Victor Ortiz in September and will likely be going into his hibernation mode for the next year where he doesn’t fight. This leaves only the 35-year-old Morales, who Maidana defeated by a 12 round split decision last April.
According to ESPN, Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, spoke to Morales about a Maidana-Morales II rematch and he’s currently thinking about it. If Morales agrees to it the fight will possibly be coupled with a rematch between Jorge Linares and Antonio DeMarco. That fight would take place next year and Schaefer really likes the idea of putting that fight card together.
Maidana hasn’t done much since beating Morales. He was supposed to fight Robert Guerrero in September. However, Guerrero injured his shoulder in sparring and Maidana opted to fight little known Petr Petrov, stopping him in the 4th round in a terrible mismatch. Morales offered to step in and fight Maidana but Maidana didn’t like the idea of fighting Morales on one week’s notice. He wanted more time to train for Morales’ style.
Morales obviously likes his chances in a rematch with Maidana. But Morales wants to fight DeMarco next to try and capture the WBC lightweight crown. Schaefer thinks that the World Boxing Council may order a rematch between Linares and DeMarco. If that happens then Morales will have to look in another direction.
Wladimir wanted Arreola next
By John F. McKenna (McJack): In an interview with Ring TV.com, Emanuel Steward stated that WBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko wanted to fight Chris Arreola next instead of 39 year old Jean-Marc Mormeck. Mormeck was the WBA/WBC cruiserweight champion until being dethroned by David Haye in November 2007.
Mormeck has won three fights in a row against 2nd tier opposition since moving up to heavyweight after the loss to Haye. Jean-Marc, who is 5’11” and weighs 215 pounds, is considered small in the Klitschko era of super sized heavyweights. Wladimir is 6’6” and usually comes in at about 245 pounds.
Steward was quoted as saying: “Wladimir wanted to fight Arreola this fight here. That was his dream after the Haye fight, to come back to America and re- connect. But I talked to Arreola’s trainer, Henry Ramirez, and he said that they don’t want to be anywhere near Wladimir until 2012,” said Steward.
“So we had to go with this Mormeck, because nobody else wanted to fight Vladimir. So this is a stay-busy fight in December, but the real goal is to get Arreola probably in the first part of next year.”
Arreola (33-2, 28 KO’s) has trimmed down considerably in his last several fights. He came in over 250 pounds when he fought WBC champion Vitali Klitschhko (43-2, 40 KO’s) in September 2009 and was pummeled into submission in 10 rounds. He came in overweight again when he lost by decision to Tomasz Adamek (44-2, 28 KO’s) in April 2010.
After his loss to Adamek, Arreola had an epiphany and decided that he would trim down and get into shape. Since that time the 6’4” Arreola has dropped down to around 236 pounds and has won his last five fights in a row. Chris, in his determination to stay busy will be fighting in November against a still to be named opponent.
Steward is impressed by Arreola’s new commitment to stay in shape, train hard and fight on a regular basis. He feels that Chris will push Wladimir and bring out the best in him. Manny also believes that Arreola’s crowd pleasing style will make for an entertaining fight.
Madison Square Garden has been discussed as a possible venue for a Klitschko – Arreola fight. A high profile fight in America would significantly raise the profile of the 35 year old Klitschko, who has fought almost exclusively in Germany over the past several years.
By John F. McKenna (McJack): In an interview with Ring TV.com, Emanuel Steward stated that WBO/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko wanted to fight Chris Arreola next instead of 39 year old Jean-Marc Mormeck. Mormeck was the WBA/WBC cruiserweight champion until being dethroned by David Haye in November 2007.
Mormeck has won three fights in a row against 2nd tier opposition since moving up to heavyweight after the loss to Haye. Jean-Marc, who is 5’11” and weighs 215 pounds, is considered small in the Klitschko era of super sized heavyweights. Wladimir is 6’6” and usually comes in at about 245 pounds.
Steward was quoted as saying: “Wladimir wanted to fight Arreola this fight here. That was his dream after the Haye fight, to come back to America and re- connect. But I talked to Arreola’s trainer, Henry Ramirez, and he said that they don’t want to be anywhere near Wladimir until 2012,” said Steward.
“So we had to go with this Mormeck, because nobody else wanted to fight Vladimir. So this is a stay-busy fight in December, but the real goal is to get Arreola probably in the first part of next year.”
Arreola (33-2, 28 KO’s) has trimmed down considerably in his last several fights. He came in over 250 pounds when he fought WBC champion Vitali Klitschhko (43-2, 40 KO’s) in September 2009 and was pummeled into submission in 10 rounds. He came in overweight again when he lost by decision to Tomasz Adamek (44-2, 28 KO’s) in April 2010.
After his loss to Adamek, Arreola had an epiphany and decided that he would trim down and get into shape. Since that time the 6’4” Arreola has dropped down to around 236 pounds and has won his last five fights in a row. Chris, in his determination to stay busy will be fighting in November against a still to be named opponent.
Steward is impressed by Arreola’s new commitment to stay in shape, train hard and fight on a regular basis. He feels that Chris will push Wladimir and bring out the best in him. Manny also believes that Arreola’s crowd pleasing style will make for an entertaining fight.
Madison Square Garden has been discussed as a possible venue for a Klitschko – Arreola fight. A high profile fight in America would significantly raise the profile of the 35 year old Klitschko, who has fought almost exclusively in Germany over the past several years.
Pacquiao: Mayweather has to show he wants to fight me
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao says he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., but complains that Mayweather has to show he’s the one that wants to make the fight happen.
Mayweather in turn isn’t about to start negotiations for a fight with the Filipino star because he’s had zero luck in getting him to agree to staying in the United States to be available during the whole training camp for the random Olympic style blood tests for performance enhancing drugs that Mayweather wants.
Pacquiao said this to the LA Times: “I don’t need to be looking for or chasing a fight. I want the fight, but I cannot force him [Mayweather] to take it He has to show he wants to fight me.”
I think the feelings are mutual for Mayweather but in a different way. He can’t make Pacquiao agree to stay in the U.S to be available for the drug testing that he wants. If Pacquiao doesn’t want to stay in the U.S during the entire eight weeks of training camp for the random blood tests, then it’s pretty much going to be a nonstarter.
This is what’s holding Mayweather up. He wants the full random blood tests without any breaks leading up to the fight. Mayweather was ready to make the fight happen last year, but the best he could get from Pacquiao was for testing to be done up until three weeks before the fight.
At that point, Pacquiao wouldn’t be taking the tests. Naturally, that ended negotiations and there hasn’t been any way to reach an agreement since then. If Pacquiao agrees to stay in the U.S for the FULL random blood tests all the way up until the day before the fight, he’s got a Mayweather fight, but without that then Pacquiao is going to have to stick to fighting other guys.
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao says he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., but complains that Mayweather has to show he’s the one that wants to make the fight happen.
Mayweather in turn isn’t about to start negotiations for a fight with the Filipino star because he’s had zero luck in getting him to agree to staying in the United States to be available during the whole training camp for the random Olympic style blood tests for performance enhancing drugs that Mayweather wants.
Pacquiao said this to the LA Times: “I don’t need to be looking for or chasing a fight. I want the fight, but I cannot force him [Mayweather] to take it He has to show he wants to fight me.”
I think the feelings are mutual for Mayweather but in a different way. He can’t make Pacquiao agree to stay in the U.S to be available for the drug testing that he wants. If Pacquiao doesn’t want to stay in the U.S during the entire eight weeks of training camp for the random blood tests, then it’s pretty much going to be a nonstarter.
This is what’s holding Mayweather up. He wants the full random blood tests without any breaks leading up to the fight. Mayweather was ready to make the fight happen last year, but the best he could get from Pacquiao was for testing to be done up until three weeks before the fight.
At that point, Pacquiao wouldn’t be taking the tests. Naturally, that ended negotiations and there hasn’t been any way to reach an agreement since then. If Pacquiao agrees to stay in the U.S for the FULL random blood tests all the way up until the day before the fight, he’s got a Mayweather fight, but without that then Pacquiao is going to have to stick to fighting other guys.