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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- dirapproach - Dec 24, 2009 at 2:22 PM
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Its so obvious, Floyd Mayweather jr. is Scared of Manny Pacqiao.
You could see it in his eyes during interviews about his outlook on having to fight or beat Manny….
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- purereason - Dec 24, 2009 at 9:42 PM
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That is some really horrible logic dirapproach. Even the apparently “illiterate idiot” Mayweather Sr. can do better than that. If you use solid logic you conclude that Pac must have something to hide. If he is not using performance enhancing substances I truly don’t understand the objection. Even USADA uses independent dr’s in testing. They could even agree to procedures used in the drug testing, or for an additional independent observer to be present. I think it’s clear Pac is on HGH.
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- smokehouse - Dec 24, 2009 at 10:28 PM
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Who cares. Just tell me, who cares. The sport?? is on it’s last legs. It has 59 different champions, fighters who are criminal thugs, infested with steroids and no fan base. The days of Ali and Foreman are long gone. There was a time when a heavyweight championship captured the attention of the nation and the world. There was ONE champion. Pro wrestling is more interesting. No more.
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- Chicken - Dec 25, 2009 at 1:20 AM
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So what is the difference having the blood work done right after the fight… I’m pretty sure what they’d find (big fat nothing) a couple days prior or a day prior the fight would still be in Pacman’s system right after he kick Pussweather’s *ss…… C’mon now… Gayweather is just pure Chicken ****…..
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- Sweets - Dec 25, 2009 at 10:31 AM
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We have an athlete who defies 100+ years of the sport’s history and gets stronger and more powerful as he ages. His body changes. He achieves things once thought impossible at this stage of his career. His trainers say it’s because he’s working harder and smarter and eating better.
Not Pacquiao. Barry Bonds. Me thinks Pacman doth protest too much to drug testing.
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- NickLA - Dec 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
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I’ve sat ringside in both the recent paquiao fight and mayweather fights, and i will guarrantee that if mayweather lands one clean punch on paquiao, manny will end up in intensive care. u can hear the pain and power in floyd’s punches. paquaio loves to come with a barrage of 10-15 punches. coto is slower than a turtle, but with mayweather he will miss 99% of those punches, and he leaves himself wide open to counter attack. that’s how mayweather put hatton to sleep. they can hype this all they want, but truth remains that paquiao still has never been punched. what i’d like to see though is sugar shane moseley fight paquiao. he will end manny’s career. moseley is better than both these guys. arum is the one who’s nervous, and runs his mouth too much for a guy who never set foot in a ring himself. do this fairly, that’s all floyd is asking. and if its done fairly, manny and his cult of friends will see their castle doomed very soon.
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- DEWEY - Dec 25, 2009 at 1:21 PM
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Pretty Boy wants the drug tests because he knows that he is clean.
Manny is running from the drug tests like a cheetah because he knows that he is a cheater.
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- maywater - Dec 25, 2009 at 1:38 PM
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he knows pacquiao will destroy him
and is trying to do anything to get into pacmans head
because he is afraid of him, mayweather has no chance against pacman
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- dirk henderson - Dec 25, 2009 at 10:14 PM
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it is apparent to all of us that manny is the greatest threat to mayweather’s undefeated streak, and he will do anything to gain some kind of advantage in the fight. I agree to the testing, but not right before the fight, as to weaken anyone. I think two tests and one random test should do just fine. Fear will make you do anything, huh floyd???
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- schaidez - Dec 25, 2009 at 11:26 PM
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simple solution, paquiao should take the blood test, he has nothing to lose. If he beats Mayweather it will only mean further humiliation for Mayweather. If you ask me, if Paquiao thinks he can beat Mayweather it’s a win-win for Paquiao. If you have nothing to hide submit to the test and get the show on the road.
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- Brian M - Dec 26, 2009 at 8:06 AM
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Just so people understand…as the issue really doesn’t appear to be iterated here:
1) Pacquaio isn’t afraid of needles.
2) Pacquaio has agreed to drug testing prior to and after the fight. Both blood and Urine.
3) The issue isn’t ‘random’ drug testing. The issue is, Pacquaio believes giving blood _just_ before the fight, weakens him, for the fight. Anyone who’s given blood before knows this to be true. And while the sample Pac would give isn’t nearly as big as the unit or so you’d give as a blood donor, it would still have an effect.
4) Testing of this nature, is only reserved for Olympics level competition, and is rarely (if ever?) used to this degree, in non-Olympics boxing.
I’m trying to look and see if I can find any history of Pacquaio denying a fight because of such blood test requirements. If I find some, I’ll let ya’ll know.
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- Paul Irving - Dec 26, 2009 at 11:53 AM
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I find Mr. Chandler statements concerning African dictators to be very offensive. I am assuming that Mr. Chandler is educated at one of America’s finist institution. Do African American Journalist use salvery connotations to make a point? or do women journalist use the witch lynchings in New England in the 1700s to write a piece? Sorry Mr. Chandler, from my angle your article reeks bigotry.
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- Tony Metler - Dec 26, 2009 at 3:18 PM
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Yes, Mr. Irving, the many nations that make up the African continent are all pillowy beds of democracy with no iron-fisted rulers causing poverty, ignorance, war or fear. The days of Idi Amin and Mobutu Sese Seko are behind us. Right behind us, mind you, but are not your concern, no – never happened, don’t talk about it.
We appreciate your understanding of how easy-going we are and always act in the best interest of our people. May I introduce you to my Nigerian banker’s wife, a recent widow who needs funds transported secretly to the United States and wishes you God’s blessings for you are an honest and trust-worthy person?
With Regards,
Muammar al-Gaddafi – Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Head of State since 1969, Libya
Robert Mugabe – President since 1980, Zimbabwe
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- Ronald E. Nettingham - Dec 26, 2009 at 11:35 PM
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If I am fighting for 50 millian, do you honestly think a type of testing is going to stop. Bring on what ever kind of test you want. I could see if Mayweather was askin for 80% of the purse or something rediculouse. But we talking about a test man. All that money and we talking about a test. We talking about a test man, a test!
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- walkdog68 - Dec 27, 2009 at 12:26 AM
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i totally agree mayweather never wanted to fight pacman he talks all that but now its put up or shutuptime his lame ass daddy running interference.so now the greatest fight in the last 20 plus years maybe off.
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- tony - Dec 27, 2009 at 4:17 AM
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Please! Please Mr. Metler. Don’t assume… don’t make and ass out of you and the wrest of us(me).
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- Charlie - Dec 27, 2009 at 10:40 AM
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And AIDS doesn’t exist in South Africa, either, Mr Irving. Get a grip on yourself. Sancitmony is not an attractive mantle to wear.
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- Vawnman - Dec 27, 2009 at 12:39 PM
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It’s clear that the Mayweathers like to run their mouth by saying they wanted the fight and are now looking for an out. This is a perfect example of why boxing of today has a fading fan base and why the MMA (UFC,WEC) is taking over. Boxing is run by idots like the Mayweathers, Don King, and Bob Arum where it’s all about the money not the sport.
If these fighters really and to fight they could submit to testing now, once during training for the fight, and finaly after the fight. Both fighters need to put up and shut up and let it all out in the ring. Boxing fans are sick of the trash talking and BSing and want to get back to skill, speed, heart, and the love of the sport not a bunch of money hungy thugs looking to cash in.
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- Kim - Dec 27, 2009 at 2:19 PM
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In boxing, the 2 guys usually say “anywhere, anytime. For free. I will fight him in the street, after what he said about me!” This type of behavior, terms and talk (about steroid testing; an additional stipulation sought long after the fight has been set) belongs in a wall street firm’s negotiations room. Not in the ring, or at the weigh in, or anywhere near the fighters. The sport is dying. UFC has taken its place.
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- Romeo - Dec 27, 2009 at 3:02 PM
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Letter to PacMan.
I advise you not to waste your time and energy on PBF. PBF is doing the same thing he did with Mosley and Cotto what he is doing to you now, that is running away from a fight. Youre already ranked number one pound for pound fighter ever while PBF is standing behind you in second place. After you took down Cotto (whom PBF ran away from also), the world was asking whos next on your list. PBF’s name was called out loud and clear. He started off by making excuses to not say yes to the fight like, “I want to hear it from PacMan himself not his loudmouth promotors.” Then you came out in public and said yes youll fight PBF. Now this claim of steriods. This is the first time anyone accused you of this. People with common sense knows that theres no difference weather you take the test right before or right after the fight. The fight isnt 2 hours long, so all this talk about you using steriods as no merit.
I advise you to go along with the law suit and move on to the next fighter who is actually willing to fight you. Ask Mosley and Cotto, I bet they say the same thing.
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- Ed - Dec 27, 2009 at 3:45 PM
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What the hell is the difference between taking the blood test 1 day after or 1 day before the fight, or is it just a lame excuse.
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- kirk lamb - Dec 27, 2009 at 5:11 PM
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Mayweather is barking up the wrong tree. If he has suspicions that Manny is cheating, why isn’t he lobbying the boxing commision to adopt the Olympic standard. That is where the changes need to take place. Both have a limited amount of time left to box, get the fight made and shut up.
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- kirk lamb - Dec 27, 2009 at 5:21 PM
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Say it right—cheating within the rules. Adopt the Olympic standard for ALL sports and these problems go away. First time dirty, two year suspension, second time, lifetime ban. No excuses for not knowing the rules. This is what baseball, football, etc. are afraid of. Aren’t the governing bodies of sports suposed to be protecting their participants????????????? Can you say Barry, I think you can…….
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- flowerpot1929 - Dec 27, 2009 at 6:48 PM
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Mayweather scared? Sure! That is the reason he came outta retirement, to prove how scared he is. What do you idiots use to think with? Arum pops open his mouth and an article is written about it, but nothing is said regarding Mayweather’s Sr. response. It appears to me that Arum/PacMan/Roach are the ones who are scared.
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- Tony Metler - Dec 27, 2009 at 7:09 PM
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>>Please! Please Mr. Metler. Don’t assume… don’t make and ass out of you and the wrest of us(me).
