Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has blasted the US Anti Doping Agency for demanding that pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao undergo a total of seven random blood tests and twelve urine tests prior to the planned fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas on March 13.
Arum said they are “propagandizing” and added “these people are crazy. We told them to take a walk.”
The top Rank promoter emphasized that Pacquiao is not against the tests while Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the Filipino renowned as the “Hero of Asia” supported the efforts to keep all sports free of performance–enhancing drugs.
Arum disclosed he was prepared to allow “the same people that test the National Football League players and the National Basketball Association players among others to do the tests because they are used to dealing with professional athletes and they (Mayweather’s camp) refused.”
The Top Rank promoter who has steadfastly stood by their original position of allowing a blood test a day before the official press conference, one 30 days before the fight and a third in the dressing room immediately after the fight revealed that the same USADA which tested nearly 200 American athletes (boxers, swimmers and track and field athletes) before they went to the Olympic Games “took nil, zero, zero blood tests and they want to take seven from our little Filipino. Now what the hell is going on?”
Arum insisted “I am not going to allow it. I don’t care what kind of money there is or anything because this is an absolute outrage.”
Taking a dig at Mayweather who is being represented in the negotiations by Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Arum said “our first position is let the Nevada State Athletic Commission recommend. Nobody appointed Mayweather as super Commissioner.”
He stressed that “if there is to be any pre-fight drug test it’s got to be done by a professional organization that has tested other professionals. I am not going to turn this over to the USADA.”
Arum said he could foresee what would happen if they agreed to the so-called Olympic-style drug testing. He said “they would spook Manny Pacquiao, they would be threatening him with drug tests here, drugs tests there and this kid has a phobia anyway for getting his blood and claims he lost the first (Erik) Morales fight because they took blood the week of the fight. I’m not going to let that happen, I promise.”
At the same time Arum claimed that a lot of doctors and scientists have said that urinalysis is much more accurate.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Manny Pacquiao's promoter says fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is 'dead'
Boxing's tendency to inflame hostility, name-calling and old grudges in contract negotiations is threatening the biggest fight in the sport.
Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, told The Times on Wednesday that he's treating the Filipino's verbally-agreed-upon mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 as if it's "dead," and added he's instructed his matchmaker to explore other possible fights for Pacquiao.
Arum is angered that Mayweather's camp wants Pacquiao to submit to a random blood-testing protocol supervised by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Arum also said that Pacquiao feels harassed to go beyond pre- and post-fight urine testing already mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. "Mayweather is not the commissioner of boxing," Arum said.
Arum once promoted Mayweather's fights, but the pair had a bitter split a few years ago and haven't worked together since.
The questions now are: Will Pacquiao agree to provide a blood sample inside the 30-day window before the fight, as requested by Mayweather? And are the parties at such loggerheads that they'd walk away from a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout that has a chance to be the richest in boxing history?
"I'm not saying the fight is off," Mayweather promoter Richard Schaefer said. "And unless I hear it is from Manny, then it's not."
Arum is merely "ranting and raving," Schaefer said, and he instead should talk to USADA chief Travis Tygart about how the blood-testing procedure would work. "Pacquiao may be having this nightmare of this being a huge needle sucking all this blood from him, and that's not what this is about," Schaefer said.
Mayweather said in a prepared statement Tuesday that he wants to ensure a level playing field for the bout.
His father, Floyd Sr., has speculated publicly that Pacquiao, who's won world titles in a record seven divisions, could be using performance-enhancing drugs.
USADA's Tygart said blood tests give his team the ability to search for a greater number of performance-enhancing substances, including a synthetic version of energy boosting EPO, and ultimately could check for human growth hormone.
Arum says he's perturbed that USADA has the right to request a blood sample on fight night, or at the weigh-in one day before the bout.
Instead, Arum has proposed the fighters' urine tests be conducted by those who preside over NFL and Major League Baseball testing, and said another alternate company which does blood tests could be summoned.
If they can't come to terms shortly, Arum said, a Pacquiao bout against someone like Paulie Malignaggi, Yuri Foreman or Juan Manuel Marquez could be sought.
Tygart told The Times that USADA's "testing will not interfere with the competition. It's unreasonable to believe that it would." As for Pacquiao's demand not to be tested within 30 days of the fight, that is "unacceptable to any effective anti-doping program," Tygart said.
Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, told The Times on Wednesday that he's treating the Filipino's verbally-agreed-upon mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 as if it's "dead," and added he's instructed his matchmaker to explore other possible fights for Pacquiao.
Arum is angered that Mayweather's camp wants Pacquiao to submit to a random blood-testing protocol supervised by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Arum also said that Pacquiao feels harassed to go beyond pre- and post-fight urine testing already mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. "Mayweather is not the commissioner of boxing," Arum said.
Arum once promoted Mayweather's fights, but the pair had a bitter split a few years ago and haven't worked together since.
The questions now are: Will Pacquiao agree to provide a blood sample inside the 30-day window before the fight, as requested by Mayweather? And are the parties at such loggerheads that they'd walk away from a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout that has a chance to be the richest in boxing history?
"I'm not saying the fight is off," Mayweather promoter Richard Schaefer said. "And unless I hear it is from Manny, then it's not."
Arum is merely "ranting and raving," Schaefer said, and he instead should talk to USADA chief Travis Tygart about how the blood-testing procedure would work. "Pacquiao may be having this nightmare of this being a huge needle sucking all this blood from him, and that's not what this is about," Schaefer said.
Mayweather said in a prepared statement Tuesday that he wants to ensure a level playing field for the bout.
His father, Floyd Sr., has speculated publicly that Pacquiao, who's won world titles in a record seven divisions, could be using performance-enhancing drugs.
USADA's Tygart said blood tests give his team the ability to search for a greater number of performance-enhancing substances, including a synthetic version of energy boosting EPO, and ultimately could check for human growth hormone.
Arum says he's perturbed that USADA has the right to request a blood sample on fight night, or at the weigh-in one day before the bout.
Instead, Arum has proposed the fighters' urine tests be conducted by those who preside over NFL and Major League Baseball testing, and said another alternate company which does blood tests could be summoned.
If they can't come to terms shortly, Arum said, a Pacquiao bout against someone like Paulie Malignaggi, Yuri Foreman or Juan Manuel Marquez could be sought.
Tygart told The Times that USADA's "testing will not interfere with the competition. It's unreasonable to believe that it would." As for Pacquiao's demand not to be tested within 30 days of the fight, that is "unacceptable to any effective anti-doping program," Tygart said.
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather super bout in danger of collapse
The Filipino has refused to agree to the Olympic-style blood-testing terms set out by Mayweather’s promoters, sinking hopes that the contest - which would be one of the most lucrative in history - will go ahead.
Mayweather’s camp, represented by Golden Boy Promotions, has called for random blood and urine sampling before and after the fight as mandated by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
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Richard Schaefer, the chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, said that Pacquiao’s promoters, Top Rank, had stated that he had agreed to have blood taken for testing before the initial media conference and after the fight, but would not agree to have blood drawn within 30 days of the bout.
The only hope is that the camps can somehow come to a surprise agreement today.
Promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, said using such blood tests was unprecedented for professional fights in Las Vegas.
“As far as I’m concerned, the fight is off,” Arum said. “We don’t object to more extensive drug testing, even though it’s certainly not required in Nevada.
“What we’re saying is that the drug testing he is proposing is intrusive and would disturb Pacquiao’s training if it’s done within 30 days of his fight.”
Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s LA-based strength and conditioning coach, alleged it was a ruse by Mayweather to allow him to pull out.
“He is desperate to protect his legacy, and could not face the prospect of possible defeat,” Ariza said.
“Even though there is $40 million (£25 million) on offer for him in this fight, Mayweather’s mindset means he may not be able to cope with the idea of having a loss on his record.”
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, disclosed privately to The Daily Telegraph recently that he had his doubts over whether Mayweather would go through with the contest, and was already looking at alternative opponents for his fighter.
Mayweather, meanwhile, has urged Pacquiao to agree to the testing.
“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken. Frankly, I don’t know anyone who really does,” he said. “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level.”
Pacquiao was to defend the World Boxing Organisation title he won in November by stopping Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in Las Vegas
for an unprecedented seventh title in seven different weight classes.
The showdown between Pacquiao (50-3-2) and unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) - to decide who is the best pound-for-pound in the world - was expected to be among boxing’s biggest revenue-producing fights.
Arum said alternative opponents for Pacquiao included Mexico’s Juan Manuel Márquez, American Paulie Malignaggi or unbeaten Israeli Yuri Foreman, the World Boxing Association super welterweight champion.
Mayweather’s camp, represented by Golden Boy Promotions, has called for random blood and urine sampling before and after the fight as mandated by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
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Richard Schaefer, the chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, said that Pacquiao’s promoters, Top Rank, had stated that he had agreed to have blood taken for testing before the initial media conference and after the fight, but would not agree to have blood drawn within 30 days of the bout.
The only hope is that the camps can somehow come to a surprise agreement today.
Promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, said using such blood tests was unprecedented for professional fights in Las Vegas.
“As far as I’m concerned, the fight is off,” Arum said. “We don’t object to more extensive drug testing, even though it’s certainly not required in Nevada.
“What we’re saying is that the drug testing he is proposing is intrusive and would disturb Pacquiao’s training if it’s done within 30 days of his fight.”
Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s LA-based strength and conditioning coach, alleged it was a ruse by Mayweather to allow him to pull out.
“He is desperate to protect his legacy, and could not face the prospect of possible defeat,” Ariza said.
“Even though there is $40 million (£25 million) on offer for him in this fight, Mayweather’s mindset means he may not be able to cope with the idea of having a loss on his record.”
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, disclosed privately to The Daily Telegraph recently that he had his doubts over whether Mayweather would go through with the contest, and was already looking at alternative opponents for his fighter.
Mayweather, meanwhile, has urged Pacquiao to agree to the testing.
“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken. Frankly, I don’t know anyone who really does,” he said. “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level.”
Pacquiao was to defend the World Boxing Organisation title he won in November by stopping Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in Las Vegas
for an unprecedented seventh title in seven different weight classes.
The showdown between Pacquiao (50-3-2) and unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) - to decide who is the best pound-for-pound in the world - was expected to be among boxing’s biggest revenue-producing fights.
Arum said alternative opponents for Pacquiao included Mexico’s Juan Manuel Márquez, American Paulie Malignaggi or unbeaten Israeli Yuri Foreman, the World Boxing Association super welterweight champion.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Why Are Golden Boy & Floyd Trying To Kill The Fight?
Manny Pacquiao has already agreed to drug tests before and after the March 13th fight, isn’t that enough for Golden Boy and Floyd?
It is public knowledge that Roy Jones, James Toney and others have tested positive for substances after fights through the established testing system . If Manny Pacquiao is on a performance enhancer isn’t the current testing system reliable enough to detect and capture him – if he is cheating?
Why is Golden Boy and Floyd doubting the current testing system which has proven to work – are they indirectly accusing Pacquiao and the Nevada State Athletic Commission to be capable of CORRUPTION?
Was Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy involved in the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight in Quebec City?
Are the actions of Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer and Floyd consistent with an entity that wants to stage “Boxing’s Super Bowl”? Or would they prefer to kill the fight and stage a 10-round sparring session between Floyd Mayweather and Matthew Hatton?
Why won’t Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer and Floyd Mayweather demand and accept a urine test 48, 36 or 24 hours before the fight? Why must it be a blood test – is this their last and final way to kill the fight, except for Floyd coming up with another rib injury?
Are Golden Boy and Floyd hoping that by drawing blood from Manny Pacquiao within 24 or 48 hours of the fight, that this never before used tactic (to the best of my knowledge) in boxing history could have a minute but mental and physical effect on the strength and punch force of Manny Pacquiao in the fight? Could the loss of blood be their way to try and negate the vaunted power of the Filippino, which they fear?
Why did Bernard Hopkins and George Peterson previously say on the record that they believe the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will NOT happen on March 13? Are they privy to secretly planned insider information?
Does Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer know that Floyd Mayweather is a “psychological coward” who will never fight any man who has a chance to brutally beat him to a bloody pulp, and therefore must DO ANYTHING to protect their scared fighter from a signing a contract that could lead to a devastatingly brutal knockout loss, so therefore they can continue to try and milk him with safer handpicks like Matt Hatton in order to fulfill a five-fight contract?
Where is Matthew Hatton lately and why has he not spoken to anyone from the boxing media?
Is Golden Boy standing on the edge of the financial cliff and knows it must protect it’s only significant asset of Mayweather from taking part in a fight that would destroy his career, his confidence and his future drawing power?
Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer look at Manny Pacquiao in total awe and dream about promoting such a wonder of the world type superstar? Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer ever compare Floyd to Pacquiao in terms of charisma, personality and drawing power and enviously conclude Top Rank is holding a bag of GOLD while they are holding a bag of **** in comparison?
Did Golden Boy or Richard Schaefer have anything whatsoever to do with the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight?
Since the devastating KO of Miguel Cotto, has Floyd Mayweather carried himself like an ultimate warrior with supreme confidence, eagerly waiting to take part in the biggest event in boxing history? Or is Floyd acting like a frightened coward, desperately trying to set up block after block to prevent the fight from ever happening?
Why did George Peterson, who works with Floyd advisor Al Haymon, as they together guide the career of Paul Williams, insist with vehemence and certainty on December 2nd in New York City
that the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight “isn’t gonna happen” because some fights are “not meant to be made?”
Does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather fully realize that Manny Pacquiao can’t be beaten by a manufactured illusion with fast fading skills and confidence and therefore must resort to the ridiculous ploy of drawing blood from the man’s body within 24 or 48 hours of the biggest event in the history of the sport?
Does Golden Boy fear seeing it’s THIRD high value asset in a row lose by brutal knockout to Manny Pacquiao and therefore to ensure the survival of the company must protect it’s already psychologically beaten fraud (no win situation) from the certain defeat?
Does Golden Boy see Pacquiao vs. Floyd as a NO WIN SITUATION?
Why does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather feel the desperate need to randomly test a one-dimensional fighter, who as Floyd stated, “Knows he can’t beat me” though the said figther is willing to be tested before and after the fight?
By demanding and employing Olympic style testing and not the customary Las Vegas procedure, are Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather implying that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will use CORRUPTION and FOUL PLAY to benefit Manny Pacquiao on March 13?
And one more time: Did Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SELECTION OF THE THREE JUDGES OF THE GUZMAN-FUNEKA FIGHT?
After Pacquiao knocks out Mayweather, just what assets are Golden Boy left with? And how much revenue can they generate with Hopkins and Mosley who, despite being top rated pound for pound fighters, have each been mysteriously inactive for over a year each?
It is public knowledge that Roy Jones, James Toney and others have tested positive for substances after fights through the established testing system . If Manny Pacquiao is on a performance enhancer isn’t the current testing system reliable enough to detect and capture him – if he is cheating?
Why is Golden Boy and Floyd doubting the current testing system which has proven to work – are they indirectly accusing Pacquiao and the Nevada State Athletic Commission to be capable of CORRUPTION?
Was Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy involved in the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight in Quebec City?
Are the actions of Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer and Floyd consistent with an entity that wants to stage “Boxing’s Super Bowl”? Or would they prefer to kill the fight and stage a 10-round sparring session between Floyd Mayweather and Matthew Hatton?
Why won’t Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer and Floyd Mayweather demand and accept a urine test 48, 36 or 24 hours before the fight? Why must it be a blood test – is this their last and final way to kill the fight, except for Floyd coming up with another rib injury?
Are Golden Boy and Floyd hoping that by drawing blood from Manny Pacquiao within 24 or 48 hours of the fight, that this never before used tactic (to the best of my knowledge) in boxing history could have a minute but mental and physical effect on the strength and punch force of Manny Pacquiao in the fight? Could the loss of blood be their way to try and negate the vaunted power of the Filippino, which they fear?
Why did Bernard Hopkins and George Peterson previously say on the record that they believe the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will NOT happen on March 13? Are they privy to secretly planned insider information?
Does Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer know that Floyd Mayweather is a “psychological coward” who will never fight any man who has a chance to brutally beat him to a bloody pulp, and therefore must DO ANYTHING to protect their scared fighter from a signing a contract that could lead to a devastatingly brutal knockout loss, so therefore they can continue to try and milk him with safer handpicks like Matt Hatton in order to fulfill a five-fight contract?
Where is Matthew Hatton lately and why has he not spoken to anyone from the boxing media?
Is Golden Boy standing on the edge of the financial cliff and knows it must protect it’s only significant asset of Mayweather from taking part in a fight that would destroy his career, his confidence and his future drawing power?
Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer look at Manny Pacquiao in total awe and dream about promoting such a wonder of the world type superstar? Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer ever compare Floyd to Pacquiao in terms of charisma, personality and drawing power and enviously conclude Top Rank is holding a bag of GOLD while they are holding a bag of **** in comparison?
Did Golden Boy or Richard Schaefer have anything whatsoever to do with the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight?
Since the devastating KO of Miguel Cotto, has Floyd Mayweather carried himself like an ultimate warrior with supreme confidence, eagerly waiting to take part in the biggest event in boxing history? Or is Floyd acting like a frightened coward, desperately trying to set up block after block to prevent the fight from ever happening?
Why did George Peterson, who works with Floyd advisor Al Haymon, as they together guide the career of Paul Williams, insist with vehemence and certainty on December 2nd in New York City
that the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight “isn’t gonna happen” because some fights are “not meant to be made?”
Does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather fully realize that Manny Pacquiao can’t be beaten by a manufactured illusion with fast fading skills and confidence and therefore must resort to the ridiculous ploy of drawing blood from the man’s body within 24 or 48 hours of the biggest event in the history of the sport?
Does Golden Boy fear seeing it’s THIRD high value asset in a row lose by brutal knockout to Manny Pacquiao and therefore to ensure the survival of the company must protect it’s already psychologically beaten fraud (no win situation) from the certain defeat?
Does Golden Boy see Pacquiao vs. Floyd as a NO WIN SITUATION?
Why does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather feel the desperate need to randomly test a one-dimensional fighter, who as Floyd stated, “Knows he can’t beat me” though the said figther is willing to be tested before and after the fight?
By demanding and employing Olympic style testing and not the customary Las Vegas procedure, are Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather implying that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will use CORRUPTION and FOUL PLAY to benefit Manny Pacquiao on March 13?
And one more time: Did Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SELECTION OF THE THREE JUDGES OF THE GUZMAN-FUNEKA FIGHT?
After Pacquiao knocks out Mayweather, just what assets are Golden Boy left with? And how much revenue can they generate with Hopkins and Mosley who, despite being top rated pound for pound fighters, have each been mysteriously inactive for over a year each?
ARUM: MAYWEATHER CAN GO TO HELL, THE FIGHT IS OFF AS OF NOW
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, livid over the unconscionable demands of Floyd Mayweather Jr for pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao to undergo random blood tests as well as urine tests conducted by the US Anti Doping Agency before their planned March 13 fight told us late Wednesday morning, "is off as of now."
Arum made it clear that Pacquiao who has a phobia for needles and extracting too much blood which weakens him said he would gladly agree to have a blood test before the initial press conference and after the fight, plus urinalysis anytime he wants. What more? asked Arum.
Arum said "doctors will tell you that blood-testing is not even sure anymore and urinalysis is the state-of-the-art testing for drugs. But they don’t want the fight which is what I suspected from the beginning or they want to torture Pacquiao to throw him off his game.”
The astute promoter said he told them “absolutely not. That’s where we stand and we are prepared to walk away. I’m not going to bully this kid and Freddie (Roach) is adamant about that point.”
Arum said “they can go to hell as far as I’m concerned including (Richard) Schaefer although I don’t think it's his idea, I think its Floyd’s idea and we are going to go on and do something else. This is an absolute outrage.”
He said the Nevada State Athletic Commission under its highly respected executive director Keith Kizer is "beside themselves" over the Mayweather demands and said “their drug testing is the best in the world and it's an insult to them.”
Arum questioned the motives and asked “who is this ignorant, illiterate kid demanding this. Who is he? This has never ever happened in professional boxing.”
Pacquiao, in a statement issued by his adviser Michael Koncz said he had always wanted athletes to serve as role models in every sport and to keep sports free from drugs and that he was willing to undergo tests as he has always done in the past and come clean. Koncz said “we wanted to do the fight because that’s what the people wanted but obviously Mayweather is scared and looked for a way out.”
In an email to www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said “Olympic style drug testing is not one blood test 30 days before the fight and one after the fight. It is random drug testing which would include somewhere between 3-5 blood tests and 8-12 urine tests taken during the period January 1 to March 15. Blood tests by the way are taken in a non-intrusive manner and are less than one tablespoon.”
Arum mentioned several issues that arose during the negotiations day after day. He pointed out that Mayweather “had no intention of coming in at 147” which is the welterweight limit and then said he didn’t want to fight for the WBO title and we said okay, if you come an ounce over 147 you are going to pay us $10 million. Then this all started.”
Pacquiao’s conditioning expert Alex Ariza responded to the Mayweather camps demand that the blood testing go all the way up to the weighin saying it was “ludicrous” pointing out that “there is nothing that they are going to find 24 hours before the fight that they cannot find five minutes after the fight. We are not refusing to give blood, we are not willing to give it that close to the fight.”
Ariza said he is convinced that Mayweather is “just posturing and the reality of the situation is Mayweather is looking for a reason to get out of this fight because Manny is going to give him the beating of a lifetime. He will sustain a beating that he never ever endured in his whole career in boxing. What he feels in his own small mind is that his legacy will go down being beaten by Manny Pacquiao.”
Arum made it clear that Pacquiao who has a phobia for needles and extracting too much blood which weakens him said he would gladly agree to have a blood test before the initial press conference and after the fight, plus urinalysis anytime he wants. What more? asked Arum.
Arum said "doctors will tell you that blood-testing is not even sure anymore and urinalysis is the state-of-the-art testing for drugs. But they don’t want the fight which is what I suspected from the beginning or they want to torture Pacquiao to throw him off his game.”
The astute promoter said he told them “absolutely not. That’s where we stand and we are prepared to walk away. I’m not going to bully this kid and Freddie (Roach) is adamant about that point.”
Arum said “they can go to hell as far as I’m concerned including (Richard) Schaefer although I don’t think it's his idea, I think its Floyd’s idea and we are going to go on and do something else. This is an absolute outrage.”
He said the Nevada State Athletic Commission under its highly respected executive director Keith Kizer is "beside themselves" over the Mayweather demands and said “their drug testing is the best in the world and it's an insult to them.”
Arum questioned the motives and asked “who is this ignorant, illiterate kid demanding this. Who is he? This has never ever happened in professional boxing.”
Pacquiao, in a statement issued by his adviser Michael Koncz said he had always wanted athletes to serve as role models in every sport and to keep sports free from drugs and that he was willing to undergo tests as he has always done in the past and come clean. Koncz said “we wanted to do the fight because that’s what the people wanted but obviously Mayweather is scared and looked for a way out.”
In an email to www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said “Olympic style drug testing is not one blood test 30 days before the fight and one after the fight. It is random drug testing which would include somewhere between 3-5 blood tests and 8-12 urine tests taken during the period January 1 to March 15. Blood tests by the way are taken in a non-intrusive manner and are less than one tablespoon.”
Arum mentioned several issues that arose during the negotiations day after day. He pointed out that Mayweather “had no intention of coming in at 147” which is the welterweight limit and then said he didn’t want to fight for the WBO title and we said okay, if you come an ounce over 147 you are going to pay us $10 million. Then this all started.”
Pacquiao’s conditioning expert Alex Ariza responded to the Mayweather camps demand that the blood testing go all the way up to the weighin saying it was “ludicrous” pointing out that “there is nothing that they are going to find 24 hours before the fight that they cannot find five minutes after the fight. We are not refusing to give blood, we are not willing to give it that close to the fight.”
Ariza said he is convinced that Mayweather is “just posturing and the reality of the situation is Mayweather is looking for a reason to get out of this fight because Manny is going to give him the beating of a lifetime. He will sustain a beating that he never ever endured in his whole career in boxing. What he feels in his own small mind is that his legacy will go down being beaten by Manny Pacquiao.”
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON PACQUIAO-MAYWEATHER DRUG TEST ISSUE
There appears to be a deliberate attempt by the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr to mislead the public about pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao’s stand on the issue of Olympic-style drug testing.
A report datelined Los Angeles stated that the mega fight was in jeopardy after Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who is negotiating fight details with Top Rank’s Bob Arum learned that Pacquiao was “refusing to comply” with Olympic-style drug testing as outlined and mandated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and as requested by Mayweather’s management to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters.
The claim that Pacquiao refused to comply is completely false. He agreed to the blood tests before the kickoff press conference and after the fight. Where is the difference? If he is on any performance-enhancing drugs as repeatedly claimed by Floyd’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr who failed to provide a shred of evidence to substantiate his charges and instead illogically (what’s new) demanded that Pacquiao prove he’s clean, surely the tests after the fight should satisfy any doubts.
If the USADA tests were taken at random why can’t they be taken before the press conference and after the fight? What difference does it make?
Pacquiao has, throughout his career, fought fair and square and never complained even when he lost as he did against Erik “El Terrible” Morales when a head-butt by Morales in round five opened up a nasty gash which bled profusely throughout the fight and which referee Joe Cortez erroneously claimed was caused by a punch!
Come to think of it, it was Floyd Mayweather Jr who failed to comply with the stipulated weight against the much smaller Juan Manuel Marquez, came in two pounds over the agreed upon limit and used his advantage to batter Marquez. Sure, Mayweather Jr paid $600,000 as a penalty but he used an unfair weight advantage in the ring to beat Marquez. So much for talk of fair play and sportsmanship!
That’s why Team Pacquiao is demanding that if Mayweather doesn’t make the 147 pound welterweight limit against Pacquiao he should pay $10 million per pound or a fraction thereof. In short, don’t let him cheat on the scales and get away by paying a fine. Make it hurt his pocket real bad.
Drug-testing is not mandated by the USADA in pro boxing. In Las Vegas that’s left to the Nevada State Athletic Commission under the highly respected lawyer Keith Kizer who has stated over and over again in response to the ranting of Mayweather Sr that Pacquiao has been tested before and after every fight and has come out spotlessly clean. The Mayweather camp wanted the fight in Las Vegas instead of Dallas, Texas because they were comfortable in Las Vegas and had faith in the NSAC. Why then don’t they trust the drug-testing by the Commission?
Schaefer’s statement that “Team Mayweather is certainly 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 such as Lance Armstrong, and Olympians Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant." Come on Richard, that’s not true and you know it. Manny didn’t refuse the drug-testing. He said he'll do it before the kickoff press conference and after the fight!!
By the way Richard, perhaps you should invite the USADA to conduct random drug tests on Sugar Shane Mosley before and after the Berto fight.
Mayweather reportedly feels that Pacquiao has to explain himself immediately or be faced with accusations from the media and the public regarding his own status as a clean and drug free athlete. Condescending to say the least. Pacquiao hasn’t asked Mayweather to explain his irrational behavior or his family history of getting into trouble with the law or even the recent incident when Mayweather’s car was seen at a venue where shots were allegedly fired by his bodyguards.
Mayweather went on "I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don't know anyone who really does," said Mayweather. "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."
Come on Floyd, which nation’s athletes have been found to use steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs? Look at baseball one of the biggest sports in the US. Look at the history of athletics where multi-titled sprinters were found to be on steroids. How many American athletes have been found to be on drugs? Of course, to the credit of the United States and the USADA these cheats have been found out. But this is not the style of Filipinos – despite all our weaknesses and frailties. We fight clean, fight hard and accept our defeats with grace and our victories – as Pacquiao has so often shown – with humility
Leonard Ellerbe, the adviser of Mayweather, has also joined in stating "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."
Mr. Ellerbe, you talk of a level playing field yet Floyd came into the fight against Marquez two pounds over the stipulated weight limit. Was that a level playing field or are you suggesting that by paying Marquez $600,000 it leveled the playing field and kept faith with the highest standards of sports competition?
We have known Manny from the time he began his career as a 16 year old kid on a weekly TV boxing show we produced and anchored much of the time and know he has a phobia about needles which means injections of any kind or extraction of blood. To ask him to be available any time the USADA knocks on his door and wants to stuff a needle in him is a pitiful attempt to load the dice against Pacquiao. Beyond that what is the difference between the testing methods of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the United States Anti-Doping Agency. I guess it’s the letters US in front that puts the agency on a higher pedestal than the NSAC and gives it some assumed clout or power. Besides, do these people suggest that you can’t find a trace of performance-enhancing drugs a few minutes after a fight but can find it at random before? Doesn’t make sense to us.
Bottom line is what trainer Freddie Roach has always maintained and that is that Mayweather Jr is scared to fight Pacquiao who is at his peak and almost invincible. A dead giveaway was his insistence on staging the fight on March 13 when Manny hade somewhat of a hard fight against Miguel Cotto last November 14 besides having the May congressional elections on his mind. He thought Pacquiao wouldn’t agree and as the astute Bob Arum pointed out if Manny said no and wanted a fight later in the year Mayweather would have capitalized on it and said Manny was scared and didn’t want to fight.
Methinks it’s the other way around as conditioning expert Alex Ariza points out … Floyd is scared of getting the beating of his life.
As Bob Arum told us minutes ago, "Mayweather can go to hell."
A report datelined Los Angeles stated that the mega fight was in jeopardy after Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who is negotiating fight details with Top Rank’s Bob Arum learned that Pacquiao was “refusing to comply” with Olympic-style drug testing as outlined and mandated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and as requested by Mayweather’s management to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters.
The claim that Pacquiao refused to comply is completely false. He agreed to the blood tests before the kickoff press conference and after the fight. Where is the difference? If he is on any performance-enhancing drugs as repeatedly claimed by Floyd’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr who failed to provide a shred of evidence to substantiate his charges and instead illogically (what’s new) demanded that Pacquiao prove he’s clean, surely the tests after the fight should satisfy any doubts.
If the USADA tests were taken at random why can’t they be taken before the press conference and after the fight? What difference does it make?
Pacquiao has, throughout his career, fought fair and square and never complained even when he lost as he did against Erik “El Terrible” Morales when a head-butt by Morales in round five opened up a nasty gash which bled profusely throughout the fight and which referee Joe Cortez erroneously claimed was caused by a punch!
Come to think of it, it was Floyd Mayweather Jr who failed to comply with the stipulated weight against the much smaller Juan Manuel Marquez, came in two pounds over the agreed upon limit and used his advantage to batter Marquez. Sure, Mayweather Jr paid $600,000 as a penalty but he used an unfair weight advantage in the ring to beat Marquez. So much for talk of fair play and sportsmanship!
That’s why Team Pacquiao is demanding that if Mayweather doesn’t make the 147 pound welterweight limit against Pacquiao he should pay $10 million per pound or a fraction thereof. In short, don’t let him cheat on the scales and get away by paying a fine. Make it hurt his pocket real bad.
Drug-testing is not mandated by the USADA in pro boxing. In Las Vegas that’s left to the Nevada State Athletic Commission under the highly respected lawyer Keith Kizer who has stated over and over again in response to the ranting of Mayweather Sr that Pacquiao has been tested before and after every fight and has come out spotlessly clean. The Mayweather camp wanted the fight in Las Vegas instead of Dallas, Texas because they were comfortable in Las Vegas and had faith in the NSAC. Why then don’t they trust the drug-testing by the Commission?
Schaefer’s statement that “Team Mayweather is certainly 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 such as Lance Armstrong, and Olympians Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant." Come on Richard, that’s not true and you know it. Manny didn’t refuse the drug-testing. He said he'll do it before the kickoff press conference and after the fight!!
By the way Richard, perhaps you should invite the USADA to conduct random drug tests on Sugar Shane Mosley before and after the Berto fight.
Mayweather reportedly feels that Pacquiao has to explain himself immediately or be faced with accusations from the media and the public regarding his own status as a clean and drug free athlete. Condescending to say the least. Pacquiao hasn’t asked Mayweather to explain his irrational behavior or his family history of getting into trouble with the law or even the recent incident when Mayweather’s car was seen at a venue where shots were allegedly fired by his bodyguards.
Mayweather went on "I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don't know anyone who really does," said Mayweather. "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."
Come on Floyd, which nation’s athletes have been found to use steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs? Look at baseball one of the biggest sports in the US. Look at the history of athletics where multi-titled sprinters were found to be on steroids. How many American athletes have been found to be on drugs? Of course, to the credit of the United States and the USADA these cheats have been found out. But this is not the style of Filipinos – despite all our weaknesses and frailties. We fight clean, fight hard and accept our defeats with grace and our victories – as Pacquiao has so often shown – with humility
Leonard Ellerbe, the adviser of Mayweather, has also joined in stating "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."
Mr. Ellerbe, you talk of a level playing field yet Floyd came into the fight against Marquez two pounds over the stipulated weight limit. Was that a level playing field or are you suggesting that by paying Marquez $600,000 it leveled the playing field and kept faith with the highest standards of sports competition?
We have known Manny from the time he began his career as a 16 year old kid on a weekly TV boxing show we produced and anchored much of the time and know he has a phobia about needles which means injections of any kind or extraction of blood. To ask him to be available any time the USADA knocks on his door and wants to stuff a needle in him is a pitiful attempt to load the dice against Pacquiao. Beyond that what is the difference between the testing methods of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the United States Anti-Doping Agency. I guess it’s the letters US in front that puts the agency on a higher pedestal than the NSAC and gives it some assumed clout or power. Besides, do these people suggest that you can’t find a trace of performance-enhancing drugs a few minutes after a fight but can find it at random before? Doesn’t make sense to us.
Bottom line is what trainer Freddie Roach has always maintained and that is that Mayweather Jr is scared to fight Pacquiao who is at his peak and almost invincible. A dead giveaway was his insistence on staging the fight on March 13 when Manny hade somewhat of a hard fight against Miguel Cotto last November 14 besides having the May congressional elections on his mind. He thought Pacquiao wouldn’t agree and as the astute Bob Arum pointed out if Manny said no and wanted a fight later in the year Mayweather would have capitalized on it and said Manny was scared and didn’t want to fight.
Methinks it’s the other way around as conditioning expert Alex Ariza points out … Floyd is scared of getting the beating of his life.
As Bob Arum told us minutes ago, "Mayweather can go to hell."
Roach BLASTS Mayweathers - "Mayweather is a coward!"
8CountNews contacted Freddie Roach to get his thoughts on the recent reports of Manny Pacquiao's refusal to give blood the day before the scheduled fight with Floyd Mayweather. Roach says that he is the one advising Manny not to give the blood the day before the fight. Roach blasts the Mayweather's calling them cowards, and scared. Check out what else Freddie Roach had to say in this exclusive 8CN interview.
8CN - Freddie, todays headlines all say that Manny Pacquiao is refusing to give blood the day before the fight. What is your response?
FR - Well the sanctioning bodies and the state commissions run the boxing world, not Floyd Mayweather. Who is this guy to tell us that we have to have blood tests, or urine tests, or any tests? He's just looking for a way out of the fight. He is scared, and he's just afraid that he's going to get his ass kicked. We don't work for Floyd Mayweather. We fight for the state commission, since when does the fighter make up the rules?
8CN - To play devils advocate, Floyd's people firmly believe that Manny is taking steroids. Why not just take the test and prove them wrong?
FR - So, what if I think Mayweather is taking steroids too?, so does that mean I go out and change the rules in boxing? This guy isn't going to walk all over us, he's not railroading us. This is bullshit, we will go by the rules of the commission, and that's it. We'll go on to other things, and he can make no money fighting some bum. My fighter is clean, I have trouble giving Manny protein shakes and vitamins, let alone steroids. We will pass the drug test, because my fighter is clean.
8CN - Is it Manny refusing to take the blood test or is it someone deciding for him?
FR - It's me, I am not going to let my fighter give blood a day before the fight.
8CN - What can giving blood a day before a fight do to a fighter?
FR - It's just like having sex before a fight. You're not supposed to have sex before a fight, it makes you weak. If you mentally think that, it will. When Manny gives blood it takes him 3 or 4 days to recover from it. I am not going to have my fighter going into a fight feeling weak and not sure of himself.
8CN - Is it true that Manny never wanted to give blood the day before any of his fights?
FR - We will never do it a day before a fight. We never flunked a urine test, and there is no reason to think my fighter is dirty. We have passed every test ever given to us. We go by the commission rules, not no rule Mayweather puts out there.
8CN - So it's fair to say that the ball is completely in Mayweathers court now, you guys are not budging?
FR - Yes it's fair to say that. If Floyd wants to fight us, then step up and fight us. If you want Manny to take a blood test after the fight, no problem, but not a day before.
8CN - Wouldn't a blood test the day after the fight be the same as a test a day before? I mean if Manny was taking steroids, wouldn't the test the day after the fight show the same thing as it would the day before?
FR - Yes agreed. A urine test will show the same thing too,but if they want a blood test the day after the fight, I have no problem with that. I will not have my guy giving blood a day before the fight, that will make him weak. Why is Floyd Mayweather dictating what we do in life? It's crazy... he's a coward and he's afraid to fight us and that is all there is to it.
8CN - If this fight gets scratched, what's next?
FR - We go up and get Yuri Foreman's title. We will go up one more weight division, just for you Floyd!
8CN - Freddie, todays headlines all say that Manny Pacquiao is refusing to give blood the day before the fight. What is your response?
FR - Well the sanctioning bodies and the state commissions run the boxing world, not Floyd Mayweather. Who is this guy to tell us that we have to have blood tests, or urine tests, or any tests? He's just looking for a way out of the fight. He is scared, and he's just afraid that he's going to get his ass kicked. We don't work for Floyd Mayweather. We fight for the state commission, since when does the fighter make up the rules?
8CN - To play devils advocate, Floyd's people firmly believe that Manny is taking steroids. Why not just take the test and prove them wrong?
FR - So, what if I think Mayweather is taking steroids too?, so does that mean I go out and change the rules in boxing? This guy isn't going to walk all over us, he's not railroading us. This is bullshit, we will go by the rules of the commission, and that's it. We'll go on to other things, and he can make no money fighting some bum. My fighter is clean, I have trouble giving Manny protein shakes and vitamins, let alone steroids. We will pass the drug test, because my fighter is clean.
8CN - Is it Manny refusing to take the blood test or is it someone deciding for him?
FR - It's me, I am not going to let my fighter give blood a day before the fight.
8CN - What can giving blood a day before a fight do to a fighter?
FR - It's just like having sex before a fight. You're not supposed to have sex before a fight, it makes you weak. If you mentally think that, it will. When Manny gives blood it takes him 3 or 4 days to recover from it. I am not going to have my fighter going into a fight feeling weak and not sure of himself.
8CN - Is it true that Manny never wanted to give blood the day before any of his fights?
FR - We will never do it a day before a fight. We never flunked a urine test, and there is no reason to think my fighter is dirty. We have passed every test ever given to us. We go by the commission rules, not no rule Mayweather puts out there.
8CN - So it's fair to say that the ball is completely in Mayweathers court now, you guys are not budging?
FR - Yes it's fair to say that. If Floyd wants to fight us, then step up and fight us. If you want Manny to take a blood test after the fight, no problem, but not a day before.
8CN - Wouldn't a blood test the day after the fight be the same as a test a day before? I mean if Manny was taking steroids, wouldn't the test the day after the fight show the same thing as it would the day before?
FR - Yes agreed. A urine test will show the same thing too,but if they want a blood test the day after the fight, I have no problem with that. I will not have my guy giving blood a day before the fight, that will make him weak. Why is Floyd Mayweather dictating what we do in life? It's crazy... he's a coward and he's afraid to fight us and that is all there is to it.
8CN - If this fight gets scratched, what's next?
FR - We go up and get Yuri Foreman's title. We will go up one more weight division, just for you Floyd!
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