So this is either the greatest media run-up to a fight in the history of boxing, or one (or both) of these guys really don’t want to tangle with each other. What happened to the good old days of Ali-Foreman, when you could get a nice African dictator to arrange all the details? Anyway, Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao in Vegas seems to be off — unless it isn’t — and the accusations continue to fly. You’re going to have to settle for those instead of fists, for now.
AOL Fanhouse talked with Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, who had some choice things to say about the Mayweathers.
Some excerpts:
FanHouse: So Bob, what’s going on with the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight?
Bob Arum: As far as I can see, nothing is going on with the fight. I really believe that this exposes the fact that Mayweather never had any intentions to do the fight.
I don’t think that I can salvage this fight because Mayweather — the fighter on the other side — does not want to fight, he never wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao, and he’s afraid to lose.
FH: Is it your understanding that the Mayweather camp, starting with his father, Floyd Sr., has accused Manny Pacquiao of steroid usage due to the fact that he’s carried his power from the lowest weight class in boxing to a seventh weight class — 147 pounds?
Arum: This whole issue has been brought up by a completley, illiterate idiot, Floyd Mayweather Sr. — the father of a kid who doesn’t want to get into the ring with Manny Pacquiao.
FH: So is the fight off, officially?
Arum: In my mind, it’s dead as a door-nail, and we’re starting to look, today, for other opponents. The three guys that come to mind are Yuri Foreman, Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Manuel Marquez.
However, Floyd Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, asks what Pacquiao and Arum could possibly have to hide.
“I’m not accusing Manny Pacquiao of anything. However, if he doesn’t have anything to hide, then what is the problem?” asked Ellerbe, adding that Pacquiao’s refusal to adhere to USADA standards is “a deal-breaker.”
“If Pacquiao is representing that he is superstitious of needles,” said Ellerbe, “then how does he have tatoos all over his body?”
Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, also questioned Mayweather Jr.’s understanding of the issues in an article in a Philippine newspaper in late Nov.
“We use supplements, not steroids,” said Ariza. “Someone who never finished high school, like Mayweather, wouldn’t understand the difference and that’s why they make dumb comments.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s nutritionist, Teri Tom, offered a glimpse into his fighter’s longer-range plans.
Asked how much longer Pacquiao could fight at a high level given his age, Tom said “while he just keeps getting stronger and faster, a couple of more fights and he’ll probably move on to politics.”
Of course. Should have known.
UPDATE: Arum, in an interview with Tony Bruno last night, said that Mayweather has until Friday to drop his random drug testing demands or Pacquiao is moving on to another fight.
***
Bob Arum ‘Sorry’ for Mayweather-Pacquiao Fiasco [AOL Fanhouse]
Floyd Mayweather’s Adviser Wonders What Manny Pacquiao Has to Hide [AOL Fanhouse]
Cashing in on late stoppage [PhilStar]
Arum: Mayweather, Jr. an “ignorant, illiterate kid” [SportsbyBrooks]
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- rad amiled - Dec 27, 2009 at 9:15 PM
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i know the father & son doesnT want to fight manny because they know that floyd has no match to manny , and look at the father & son in tv it looks a special child , idiot , iliterate ……
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- Mike - Dec 27, 2009 at 9:52 PM
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I must say, there seems to be nothing wrong with submitting to the test. Look at track and field. Is it only black athletes that have to submit and ruin their careers. If Manny is clean, whats the big deal. We’re talking about the fight of the century. A big fight like this should be taken through scrutiny. I believe if he won’t submit, he is taking something illegal. I’m sure Mayweather is willing to take the test. I remember Roberto Duran used to be coked up for almost every fight. A good point made is that if Manny is scared of needles, why all the tattoos?????
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- joker777 - Dec 27, 2009 at 11:30 PM
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Everyone has to put their two cents when clearly they do not know the facts. First off Manny agreed to the test but not before the day of the fight but they can get samples right after the fight. Any dopies know that drugs dont clear your system in 48 hours. Second, who are the actual convicted drug users here? Check out Floyd Sr so is his brother Roger, they were convicted felons for drug dealings. Now PrettyBoyFaggot oh sorry Floyd Jr, he is scared and a known boxer who ducks a fight when he cannot win it. That is why he ducked Cotto and Mosley. The reason he came back because he is greedy and wants more money but he wants an easy fight. He knows Manny is not an easy fight so with the help of Golden Boy Promotions and the media, they are portraying Manny as a cheater and a drug user. How low can you go PBF? First you contradict yourself in your interviews now you want to change the rules of boxing for your advantage. Dude sooner or later you will meet your match and the world will laugh at you when you go down like Zab Judah. Manny my advice to you, move on dude. You dont have to prove anything to anybody here. You already are on top and achieved more than the losers on this site.
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- Jackson$$$ - Dec 28, 2009 at 12:05 AM
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Another Mayweather fan boy. Bottom line is your guy is soooo scared shitless and is making excuses to fight PAC.
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- Jim - Dec 28, 2009 at 4:38 AM
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I really dont understand what all the fuss is about. If Manny is superstitious about giving blood the day before the fight, I can understand that. Will the results be any different if blood is taken immediately after the fight or the next day? Why not add an additional penalty if one of the fighters tests positive? I would suggest an agreement that if either fighter test positive, they not only forfeit the fight – they also forfeit their entire share of all monies earned for that fight to the other fighter. Happy New Year and lets get this fight on!
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- keith boyd - Dec 28, 2009 at 5:39 AM
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May weather is doing the right thing in Mexico there is so much corruption who knows if this guy is clean
The government cant guarantee nothing so why not take a olympic steriod test even May weather is taken it whats the problem
I think manny is dirty lets look at tiger woods we thought he was this great role model The media and the public need to understand this is a smart move
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- cedric12 - Dec 28, 2009 at 7:50 AM
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Why all the drama? Why is Tiger being thrown under the bus in this sitution? Let’s stick to the facts, blood testing. The testing will be taken by both fighter, each of the fighter will be affected the same, no problem. Bob Arum’s commments are out of line. Oh and Joker777, Floyd Jr has fought all comers, just as Manny has,drop the name call. They are both great fight and both have a lot to lose if he the loser in this fight. What about Manny getting bigger and faster, while getting older, Hmm…. Floyd Sr served his time for his past deeds, let is go. You can’t live in the past.
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- mike - Dec 28, 2009 at 9:18 AM
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I agree with Cedric, Joker as the name implies. They both would take the same test. Secondly, look how long Mayweather Jr. was estranged from his father, which would indicate he did not approve of his father’s choices. But at the end of the day, family is family, and thats why they are together now. And stronger for it. Manny has flurries, but not a big punch. Floyd has defensive speed. Meaning the flurries will be dodged and Manny will be tagged. It will be an epic fight. As long as there are no so-called “supplements” used by Manny, Floyd will this fight.
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- steve mason - Dec 28, 2009 at 9:30 AM
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I would hardly call coming out of retirement to fight an aging Marquez a milestone… Talk more after Mayweather fights someone of substance like a Mosely or a Pacman…Your logic as to him not being scared makes no sense..He hasnt fought anyone in there prime. Ever.
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- Rj - Dec 28, 2009 at 10:25 AM
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That ‘aging’ Juan Manuel Marquez gave Pacquiao all he could handle.
Floyd Mayweather absolutely destroyed Marquez. The same fighter who pushed Pacquiao to a split decision just the year before…took MAYBE 1 of the 12 rounds vs Mayweather, and wasn’t in the fight from the start. (I recall one judge giving Mayweather all 12 rounds)
I know that that doesn’t equate to Floyd beating Pacquiao, but I just don’t see Manny winning. I don’t see him landing clean shots. I don’t see him beating Floyd to the punch.
…the way things are headed, it looks like I’ll never be proven right OR wrong.
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- pakoz - Dec 28, 2009 at 11:40 AM
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for what there gonna pay mayweater even if he loses he never has to fight again and he can live the good life so hes obviosly more afraid of losing then a dream payday.hs father makes it a lot harder to believe in him by the assinine comments he makes. didnt floyd start out at a lower weight and move up to his present one.i dont hear anything about steroids now.
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- Mayweather vs Mosley - Apr 5, 2010 at 12:06 PM
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Floyd. is really one of the very best fighter in the universe, no issue about that. But we won’t be able to blame the boxing fans that individuals are acussing him of cherry picking his rival since there is evidence that he in most cases ducking a number of fighter that has big chance of beating him. Sugar Shane and Manny Pacquiao is one of them. The fight against Mosley is not really the fight that he really want, he just pressured to sign the contract. Anyone who win on Mayweather vs Mosley fight, Manny Pacquiao is ready in the other side to deal with the winner.
