WBO/NABO light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KO’s) is ready to face pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on the March 13 date previously set aside for a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr super fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Chicago based Filipino reporter Joseph Lariosa said that Malignaggi, in a phone interview on Christmas eve in the US told him he was willing to submit to a blood test “ten times” even on the eve of a fight with Pacquiao if it will be his chance to fight the Filipino boxing great.
Malignaggi said he was excited and honored to be mentioned alongside other fighters being considered as possible opponents for Pacquiao after negotiations on a proposed Mayweather fight were called off.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum called off the fight and said "Mayweather can go to hell with their outrageous demands" after the Mayweather camp and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer insisted that Pacquiao submit himself to drug tests which include blood tests to be conducted by the US Anti Doping Agency.
Arum and Pacquiao agreed to a blood test on the eve of the kickoff press conference, 30 days before the fight and immediately after the fight pointing out that if Pacquiao was on performance-enhancing drugs as alleged by the Mayweather camp then it would be discovered in the tests. Arum also, by way of a compromise, said they were willing to undergo tests conducted by the professional group that tests NBA, NFL and MBL players. But Schafer turned this down.
Malignaggi told Lariosa that facing Pacquiao will be “a big challenge” but he is always optimistic when facing any opponent He said he would be able to come up with a strategy to beat Pacquiao or anybody else, including Mayweather.
Malignaggi said “I know Manny is a great fighter but I c an always find a way to beat him” said the American of Italian-descent, adding “you saw how I beat Juan Diaz.”
While stating that Pacquiao’s refusal to submit to a blood test a day before the fight as demanded by the Mayweather camp “always raises some questions” Malignaggi said “but I won’t mind if Manny refuses to submit to a blood test a day before the fight. If Manny wants to submit to a blood test a month before the fight, it’s not a problem with me. I am willing to submit to a blood test ten times a day before the fight if I am going to face Manny.”
The Brooklyn New York native said it did not matter whether the fight was at light welterweight or welterweight..
Malignaggi is coming off a big win over Juan Diaz in a rematch after Diaz won a hugely controversial decision in their first fight in Houston, Texas.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Irked Paquiao eyes legal action vs Mayweathers
Miffed by theatrics made by Mayweather’s camp, the Filipino boxing icon already instructed Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to file charges against Floyd Sr. and Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) for continuously maligning him.
It’s about time that he defended himself against accusations from Floyd Sr. that he used performance-enhancing drugs in beating his opponents in different weight classes, Pacquiao said, in a report by Sports Saksi Chino Trinidad.
GBP president Richard Schaeffer will also be named as one of the respondents.
“Enough is enough," Pacquiao said. “These people [Mayweather Sr., Jr., and GBP] think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs," said Pacquiao in a report by Philboxing.com.
Floyd Sr. has consistently accused Pacquiao that the source of his incredible strength and speed is from performance-enhancing drugs that the Filipino seven world division champion takes while preparing for a fight.
Pacquiao thought that Mayweather Sr.’s statements are part of a publicity stunt.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
“I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard," said Pacquiao in Filipino.
But when more people have been asking him if he used performance-enhancing or not that is when Pacquiao decided to seek legal action.
“I have instructed (Arum) to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible because I have had people coming over to me now asking if I really take performance-enhancing drugs and I have cheated my way into becoming the No. 1 boxer in the world," said Pacquiao.
Team Pacquiao is planning to file libel, slander, and defamation suits against the Mayweathers.
Pacquiao said that he passed all the eight urine tests made by the Nevada Athletic Commission every time he fights in Las Vegas.
“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," said Pacquiao.“I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years."
“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," said Pacquiao
Despite the plans of suing the Mayweathers, Pacquiao is still looking forward of someday facing the undefeated Mayweather Jr. - GMANews.TV
It’s about time that he defended himself against accusations from Floyd Sr. that he used performance-enhancing drugs in beating his opponents in different weight classes, Pacquiao said, in a report by Sports Saksi Chino Trinidad.
GBP president Richard Schaeffer will also be named as one of the respondents.
“Enough is enough," Pacquiao said. “These people [Mayweather Sr., Jr., and GBP] think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs," said Pacquiao in a report by Philboxing.com.
Floyd Sr. has consistently accused Pacquiao that the source of his incredible strength and speed is from performance-enhancing drugs that the Filipino seven world division champion takes while preparing for a fight.
Pacquiao thought that Mayweather Sr.’s statements are part of a publicity stunt.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
“I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard," said Pacquiao in Filipino.
But when more people have been asking him if he used performance-enhancing or not that is when Pacquiao decided to seek legal action.
“I have instructed (Arum) to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible because I have had people coming over to me now asking if I really take performance-enhancing drugs and I have cheated my way into becoming the No. 1 boxer in the world," said Pacquiao.
Team Pacquiao is planning to file libel, slander, and defamation suits against the Mayweathers.
Pacquiao said that he passed all the eight urine tests made by the Nevada Athletic Commission every time he fights in Las Vegas.
“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," said Pacquiao.“I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years."
“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," said Pacquiao
Despite the plans of suing the Mayweathers, Pacquiao is still looking forward of someday facing the undefeated Mayweather Jr. - GMANews.TV
Golden hypocrites: Nevada test sufficient for Mosley, not for Pacquiao
The hypocrisy of Boxing Banker Richie Rich Schaefer, who only does the bidding of Floyd Mayweather and adviser Al Haymon anyway, has come back to haunt him and the Mayweather camp like my uncle, Jacob Marley ,came back to haunt that miser Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”
When it looked like Zab Judah would fight BALCO graduate Sugar Shane Mosley, who has sworn under oath in federal court that he took illegal steroids before a fight with Oscar de la Hoya but was unaware of their illegality, the Judah camp called for drug testing for Shane above and beyond what the Nevada commission requires.
Schaefer’s resounding answer was: No way, Jose!
Here’s part of the Associated Press report on the controversy in 2008:
“One of Judah's managers, Michael Shinefield, said he sent an e-mail two weeks ago to Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mosley, calling for blood testing for both fighters. Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer said he has not responded to that e-mail, but that Mosley will agree to any tests required by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
"The Nevada commission requires urine testing of fighters immediately after bouts, but does not require blood tests. Drug experts differ over whether blood tests are more effective than urine tests at detecting some performance-enhancing drugs.
"We only do urine tests. Our inspectors collect urine from the fighters on fight night. Our inspectors aren't qualified or licensed to draw blood," Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said in a telephone interview. "If they want to do any other type of test, that's up to them, they're free to do that."
Last year, Mosley acknowledged using steroids before a bout against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but said the use was unintentional. Mosley testified in 2003 before the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative grand jury. He never has tested positive for drugs, and has not been charged in the BALCO case.”
The Judah-Mosley bout never took place in Las Vegas but Schaefer’s insistence that the Nevada commission testing was sufficient for admitted steroid user Mosley speaks volumes.
I guess what was sufficient for Mosley is not sufficient for Pacquiao.
When it looked like Zab Judah would fight BALCO graduate Sugar Shane Mosley, who has sworn under oath in federal court that he took illegal steroids before a fight with Oscar de la Hoya but was unaware of their illegality, the Judah camp called for drug testing for Shane above and beyond what the Nevada commission requires.
Schaefer’s resounding answer was: No way, Jose!
Here’s part of the Associated Press report on the controversy in 2008:
“One of Judah's managers, Michael Shinefield, said he sent an e-mail two weeks ago to Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mosley, calling for blood testing for both fighters. Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer said he has not responded to that e-mail, but that Mosley will agree to any tests required by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
"The Nevada commission requires urine testing of fighters immediately after bouts, but does not require blood tests. Drug experts differ over whether blood tests are more effective than urine tests at detecting some performance-enhancing drugs.
"We only do urine tests. Our inspectors collect urine from the fighters on fight night. Our inspectors aren't qualified or licensed to draw blood," Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said in a telephone interview. "If they want to do any other type of test, that's up to them, they're free to do that."
Last year, Mosley acknowledged using steroids before a bout against Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but said the use was unintentional. Mosley testified in 2003 before the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative grand jury. He never has tested positive for drugs, and has not been charged in the BALCO case.”
The Judah-Mosley bout never took place in Las Vegas but Schaefer’s insistence that the Nevada commission testing was sufficient for admitted steroid user Mosley speaks volumes.
I guess what was sufficient for Mosley is not sufficient for Pacquiao.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Athlete of the year: Manny on top of the world
MANILA, Philippines - No Filipino athlete has made as much impact on a global scale as seven-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in the history of sports. Today, he is hailed as the universal No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter – the most exciting warrior on the planet and the only man ever to capture seven world titles in seven weight divisions.
Pacquiao is the first Filipino sportsman to grace the cover of Time Magazine (Nov. 16, 2009), to be named in the top 10 list of most influential athletes by Forbes Magazine, to join the likes of Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer in Nike’s star-studded cast of high profile endorsers and to earn at least $25 million from only two fights this year.
In choosing the top Filipino athlete achiever of 2009, Pacquiao is the consensus pick of The STAR because he alone has brought pride, glory and honor to the country to a level of recognition that is unprecedented.
As the year comes to a close, the ring icon remains on top of his game, at the peak of his storybook career. He has been called the Fighter of the Decade, outshining ageless Bernard Hopkins and two undefeated pretenders Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Calzaghe in a cold-blooded assessment by renowned boxing writer Thomas Hauser.
Like the Pied Piper, Pacquiao is a magnet that generates almost a cult following as a result of his display of guts and skills in the ring. His fans come from all over the world. Everyone loves a winner and Pacquiao is a man driven to win. Filipinos are now joined by Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Englishmen in their hero worship – Pacquiao is a one-man United Nations. He is the ultimate people’s champion.
For Pacquiao, the accolades aren’t as important as his dedication to his fans. “The best thing for me about fighting is to make people happy,” he once said. And to his legions of Filipino fans, Pacquiao’s most significant contribution is the feeling of national pride he shares whenever he wins.
This year, Pacquiao fought only twice but both bouts were monumental. Last May, he poleaxed Ricky Hatton in two rounds to wrest the IBO lightwelterweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was guaranteed $12 million with a contracted purse of $7.4 million. The difference was covered by co-promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy from Pacquiao’s 52-50 share of the pay-per-view upside and ancillary revenues. The 52-50 deal was negotiated to give Pacquiao a two percent extra from the co-promoters’ share after a 50-50 split. Pay-per-view sales went beyond 800,000.
Then, last November, Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round to annex the WBO welterweight diadem, also at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He was guaranteed $13 million with a contracted purse of $7.5 million. The sharing of income wasn’t disclosed but Pacquiao probably took a 60 percent cut and with 1.25 million pay-per-view buys, could’ve walked all the way to the bank with a total take of $23 million.
Pacquiao hasn’t lost since bowing to Erik Morales on points in 2005. He has now won 11 in a row to raise his record to 50-3-2, with 38 KOs.
The five factors that made Pacquiao the logical pick as Athlete of the Year are:
• History. Pacquiao has virtually installed himself in the Hall of Fame. He broke out of a tie with four others as the only fighters ever to win six world titles in different divisions. Now, Pacquiao is in a class of his own. Left behind were Oscar de la Hoya, Tommy Hearns, Hector (Macho) Camacho and James Toney.
What is remarkable about Pacquiao’s feat is his ascent from being the WBC flyweight champion in 1998 to gaining the WBO welterweight crown this year. His collection of titles consists of the WBC 112-pound flyweight, IBF 122-pound superbantamweight, Ring Magazine 126-pound featherweight, WBC 130-pound superfeatherweight, WBC 135-pound lightweight, IBO 140-pound lightwelterweight and WBO 147-pound welterweight crowns.
With his seven world championships, Pacquiao has eclipsed the record of six world titles bagged by bowler Paeng Nepomuceno who is a Hall of Famer in his sport.
“I’ve been around Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Manny is the best fighter I’ve ever seen.”
• Gatekeeper. Pacquiao has opened the doors for other Filipino fighters to invade the lucrative US market. He has paved the way for his countrymen to earn their share of fame and fortune in the ring.
This year, there were 16 world title fights involving Filipinos who won nine, lost five and drew two. Six Filipinos reigned as world champions – Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire (IBF flyweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight), Brian Viloria (IBF lightflyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO superflyweight) and Rodel Mayol (WBC lightflyweight). At the end of the year, four remained on their thrones – Pacquiao, Nietes, Viloria and Mayol.
Two Filipinos won world crowns on an “interim” basis. Donaire relinquished his IBF diadem and is now the interim WBA superflyweight titleholder while Johnriel Casimero claimed the interim WBO lightflyweight crown last Saturday.
• Inspiration. Pacquiao’s rise from rags to riches is almost like a fairy tale. He broke out of poverty by making a name for himself in professional boxing. Pacquiao proved that even if he finished only up to Grade 6, the world could still be his oyster. In fact, he has gone back to school, working to earn a degree in business.
“Pacquiao’s 12,000 square-foot estate, is not far from the streets where Manny, the second of four children, peddled rolls of bread at age 12,” wrote Pablo Torre in Sports Illustrated (Dec. 8, 2008). “Beyond the passel of bodyguards toting assault rifles is the port where Pacquiao boarded a ferry as a 14-year-old, stealing away to turn pro in Manila without his mother’s permission.”
In his pro debut, Pacquiao weighed 106 pounds, two under the lightflyweight limit. That was in 1995. Now, he is king of the welterweights and his trainer Freddie Roach said if WBA lightmiddleweight titlist Yuri Foreman is available, the Israeli might even be a future target.
Howard Chua-Edan and Ishaan Tharoor, writing in Time Magazine, called Pacquiao “the latest savior of boxing, a fighter with enough charisma, intelligence and back-story to help rescue a sport lost in the labyrinth of pay-per-view.” Pacquiao has revived global interest in boxing which used to rely on heavyweights as its biggest attractions.
• Unifier. The story goes that whenever Pacquiao fights, the national crime rate drops to zero because the entire population is mesmerized into a fanatical frenzy. To a large extent, Pacquiao is a symbol of Filipino unity. He brings together rival camps in politics, religion and business as a galvanizer. He makes every Filipino proud to be Filipino. He destroys the disease of crab mentality because who could ever imagine trying to put him down?
“Nobody whom I ever promoted was as popular as Ali but it wasn’t the same,” said Arum, quoted in Hauser’s book An Unforgiving Sport. “It wasn’t one country, almost as one person, rising up and making it such a national issue as they do for Manny. An entire nation of 90 million people is focusing on Manny’s every move. It’s the most important topic of conversation in the Philippines. Some of these stories in the newspapers about Manny and how much the Filipino people love him are so beautiful, they make you cry.”
Torre said, “Pacquiao overshadows just about everything, national security included – before his victorious superfeatherweight rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez, the Philippine military declared a seven-hour ceasefire in its war against communist insurgents – Beatlemania pales in comparison to Pacmania.”
• Example. As a role model, Pacquiao is living proof that anything is possible if you work hard to just do it. He made believers out of skeptics who thought De la Hoya, Hatton and Cotto were too big for the Filipino to handle. In the end, Pacquiao showed that if you’re determined, if you’re dedicated and if you’re disciplined, you can achieve what you set out to accomplish. He did the impossible, winning seven titles in seven divisions and in the process, mowing down future Hall of Famers like Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and De la Hoya.
Pacquiao, 31, has filed his candidacy for congressman in Sarangani and it’s a bid that he’s dedicating to his provincemates. His dream is to serve the people as a fighting congressman.
But before the May elections, Pacquiao is penciled to take on Mayweather Jr. in a fight that is tipped to surpass the pay-per-view record of 2.14 million subscriptions in the 2007 fight between De la Hoya and Pretty Boy. The March 13 showdown will stake Pacquiao’s WBO title in Las Vegas with the protagonists guaranteed a whopping $25 million apiece. It may or may not be Pacquiao’s swan song. But no matter if he decides to continue boxing or not, Pacquiao will forever be revered as the greatest Filipino fighter of all time.
Pacquiao is the first Filipino sportsman to grace the cover of Time Magazine (Nov. 16, 2009), to be named in the top 10 list of most influential athletes by Forbes Magazine, to join the likes of Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer in Nike’s star-studded cast of high profile endorsers and to earn at least $25 million from only two fights this year.
In choosing the top Filipino athlete achiever of 2009, Pacquiao is the consensus pick of The STAR because he alone has brought pride, glory and honor to the country to a level of recognition that is unprecedented.
As the year comes to a close, the ring icon remains on top of his game, at the peak of his storybook career. He has been called the Fighter of the Decade, outshining ageless Bernard Hopkins and two undefeated pretenders Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Calzaghe in a cold-blooded assessment by renowned boxing writer Thomas Hauser.
Like the Pied Piper, Pacquiao is a magnet that generates almost a cult following as a result of his display of guts and skills in the ring. His fans come from all over the world. Everyone loves a winner and Pacquiao is a man driven to win. Filipinos are now joined by Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Englishmen in their hero worship – Pacquiao is a one-man United Nations. He is the ultimate people’s champion.
For Pacquiao, the accolades aren’t as important as his dedication to his fans. “The best thing for me about fighting is to make people happy,” he once said. And to his legions of Filipino fans, Pacquiao’s most significant contribution is the feeling of national pride he shares whenever he wins.
This year, Pacquiao fought only twice but both bouts were monumental. Last May, he poleaxed Ricky Hatton in two rounds to wrest the IBO lightwelterweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was guaranteed $12 million with a contracted purse of $7.4 million. The difference was covered by co-promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy from Pacquiao’s 52-50 share of the pay-per-view upside and ancillary revenues. The 52-50 deal was negotiated to give Pacquiao a two percent extra from the co-promoters’ share after a 50-50 split. Pay-per-view sales went beyond 800,000.
Then, last November, Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round to annex the WBO welterweight diadem, also at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He was guaranteed $13 million with a contracted purse of $7.5 million. The sharing of income wasn’t disclosed but Pacquiao probably took a 60 percent cut and with 1.25 million pay-per-view buys, could’ve walked all the way to the bank with a total take of $23 million.
Pacquiao hasn’t lost since bowing to Erik Morales on points in 2005. He has now won 11 in a row to raise his record to 50-3-2, with 38 KOs.
The five factors that made Pacquiao the logical pick as Athlete of the Year are:
• History. Pacquiao has virtually installed himself in the Hall of Fame. He broke out of a tie with four others as the only fighters ever to win six world titles in different divisions. Now, Pacquiao is in a class of his own. Left behind were Oscar de la Hoya, Tommy Hearns, Hector (Macho) Camacho and James Toney.
What is remarkable about Pacquiao’s feat is his ascent from being the WBC flyweight champion in 1998 to gaining the WBO welterweight crown this year. His collection of titles consists of the WBC 112-pound flyweight, IBF 122-pound superbantamweight, Ring Magazine 126-pound featherweight, WBC 130-pound superfeatherweight, WBC 135-pound lightweight, IBO 140-pound lightwelterweight and WBO 147-pound welterweight crowns.
With his seven world championships, Pacquiao has eclipsed the record of six world titles bagged by bowler Paeng Nepomuceno who is a Hall of Famer in his sport.
“I’ve been around Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Manny is the best fighter I’ve ever seen.”
• Gatekeeper. Pacquiao has opened the doors for other Filipino fighters to invade the lucrative US market. He has paved the way for his countrymen to earn their share of fame and fortune in the ring.
This year, there were 16 world title fights involving Filipinos who won nine, lost five and drew two. Six Filipinos reigned as world champions – Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire (IBF flyweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight), Brian Viloria (IBF lightflyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO superflyweight) and Rodel Mayol (WBC lightflyweight). At the end of the year, four remained on their thrones – Pacquiao, Nietes, Viloria and Mayol.
Two Filipinos won world crowns on an “interim” basis. Donaire relinquished his IBF diadem and is now the interim WBA superflyweight titleholder while Johnriel Casimero claimed the interim WBO lightflyweight crown last Saturday.
• Inspiration. Pacquiao’s rise from rags to riches is almost like a fairy tale. He broke out of poverty by making a name for himself in professional boxing. Pacquiao proved that even if he finished only up to Grade 6, the world could still be his oyster. In fact, he has gone back to school, working to earn a degree in business.
“Pacquiao’s 12,000 square-foot estate, is not far from the streets where Manny, the second of four children, peddled rolls of bread at age 12,” wrote Pablo Torre in Sports Illustrated (Dec. 8, 2008). “Beyond the passel of bodyguards toting assault rifles is the port where Pacquiao boarded a ferry as a 14-year-old, stealing away to turn pro in Manila without his mother’s permission.”
In his pro debut, Pacquiao weighed 106 pounds, two under the lightflyweight limit. That was in 1995. Now, he is king of the welterweights and his trainer Freddie Roach said if WBA lightmiddleweight titlist Yuri Foreman is available, the Israeli might even be a future target.
Howard Chua-Edan and Ishaan Tharoor, writing in Time Magazine, called Pacquiao “the latest savior of boxing, a fighter with enough charisma, intelligence and back-story to help rescue a sport lost in the labyrinth of pay-per-view.” Pacquiao has revived global interest in boxing which used to rely on heavyweights as its biggest attractions.
• Unifier. The story goes that whenever Pacquiao fights, the national crime rate drops to zero because the entire population is mesmerized into a fanatical frenzy. To a large extent, Pacquiao is a symbol of Filipino unity. He brings together rival camps in politics, religion and business as a galvanizer. He makes every Filipino proud to be Filipino. He destroys the disease of crab mentality because who could ever imagine trying to put him down?
“Nobody whom I ever promoted was as popular as Ali but it wasn’t the same,” said Arum, quoted in Hauser’s book An Unforgiving Sport. “It wasn’t one country, almost as one person, rising up and making it such a national issue as they do for Manny. An entire nation of 90 million people is focusing on Manny’s every move. It’s the most important topic of conversation in the Philippines. Some of these stories in the newspapers about Manny and how much the Filipino people love him are so beautiful, they make you cry.”
Torre said, “Pacquiao overshadows just about everything, national security included – before his victorious superfeatherweight rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez, the Philippine military declared a seven-hour ceasefire in its war against communist insurgents – Beatlemania pales in comparison to Pacmania.”
• Example. As a role model, Pacquiao is living proof that anything is possible if you work hard to just do it. He made believers out of skeptics who thought De la Hoya, Hatton and Cotto were too big for the Filipino to handle. In the end, Pacquiao showed that if you’re determined, if you’re dedicated and if you’re disciplined, you can achieve what you set out to accomplish. He did the impossible, winning seven titles in seven divisions and in the process, mowing down future Hall of Famers like Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and De la Hoya.
Pacquiao, 31, has filed his candidacy for congressman in Sarangani and it’s a bid that he’s dedicating to his provincemates. His dream is to serve the people as a fighting congressman.
But before the May elections, Pacquiao is penciled to take on Mayweather Jr. in a fight that is tipped to surpass the pay-per-view record of 2.14 million subscriptions in the 2007 fight between De la Hoya and Pretty Boy. The March 13 showdown will stake Pacquiao’s WBO title in Las Vegas with the protagonists guaranteed a whopping $25 million apiece. It may or may not be Pacquiao’s swan song. But no matter if he decides to continue boxing or not, Pacquiao will forever be revered as the greatest Filipino fighter of all time.
Manny Pacquiao Headlines 'The Nice List' of 2009
In my last write-up, I vented about all the things that irked me about the sweet science over the past year. Now, I get to list my top five favorite gloved moments of 2009, or -- as I have decided to call it -- the Nice List.
Santa and I definitely have different opinions as to what is "nice": Santa thinks helping old people across the street is nice, Bryguy thinks pinning a guy on the ropes and going to the body is nice. Santa thinks leaving him cookies is nice, Bryguy thinks leaving an opponent battered and bloody is nice. Santa likes peace on earth, Bryguy likes to see a guy get dropped by a left hook in the second round.
I enjoyed making this list so much that I've decided that I'm going to make it a Boxing Day tradition. Hey, Canada celebrates a different Thanksgiving than we do, so why can't I celebrate a different kind of Boxing Day? From here on out, year after year, you can count on me to break down the Naughty and Nice for Boxing Day.
Honorable Mention:
24/7 -- This documentary-style advertisement for HBO's big fights is one of the best things on TV in my opinion. The program follows each fighter around for the weeks leading up to the big event for an up-close and personal view of their camp and all the characters involved in it. The show is done so well that people who don't usually watch boxing get into 24/7, so I suppose that's why HBO does it. For a boxing fan, there is nothing better than a big fight, and any extras that come along with it are just bonuses -- especially if it's done as well as 24/7.
5. Quality Fights
I think the downturn in the economy has helped boxing fans. There have been more quality fights on regular television than I can remember in the past (it’s sad, but I consider HBO and Showtime regular television). A few years ago, fights like Shane Mosley vs. Antonio Margarito would have been pushed as a pay per view. Remember, in 2008, HBO was planning a PPV for Zab Judah and Mosley. A fight like that in 2009 would never have been put on PPV. Instead, we got to see quality fights like Juan Manual Marquez vs. Juan Diaz, Kermit Cintron vs. Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright, Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade, Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey ... you get the picture. Also, thanks to the push from UFC, the fights are getting better. I didn't see too many lopsided fights on the big networks -- outside of maybe the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard fights.
4. New Blood
Usually I am very skeptical when I hear people pushing boxers as the stars of tomorrow. That sometimes comes with HBO dates against overmatched opponents and sickening amounts of butt-kissing from the HBO team (except maybe Larry Merchant -- he pretty much tells it like it is). This year, I saw more deserving fighters having star-making performances than I have in quite some time. Here are a few on my list:
Andre Ward (21-0,13 KO): The 2004 gold medalist has had his doubters since he turned professional, but the whooping he put on the favorite in the Super Six tournament should have started a long line for his bandwagon. His fight against Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KO) was a star-making performance if I've ever seen one.
Timothy Bradley (25-0,11 KO): Bradley has been a champion at 140 pounds since 2008 and he defended his title three times in 2009, but it was his last fight against Lamont Peterson that really had people noticing what a great champion he could be. He got better with every fight and finally proved to me he is the real deal. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do in 2010.
Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO): Khan was a much-hyped prospect coming out of the Olympics and was all but written off when he was KO'd soundly in the first round by Breidis Prescott (21-2, 18 KO). Khan made a great career move in hooking up with Freddie Roach, which led to a stellar year. He took a technical decision in five against legend Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7, 43 KO), outboxed Andriy Kotelnik over 12 and demolished Dmitriy Salita (30-1-1, 16 KO) in about a minute and a half.
Lamont Peterson (27-1, 13 KO): I was impressed with the skills, heart and overall composure that Peterson showed in his fight with Timothy Bradley. I think he proved that he has what it takes to be a champion -- just not right now, and especially not against a steamrolling Bradley.
Lucian Bute (25-0, 20 KO): I know that in Canada, Lucian Bute is already a star, and he was starting to win me over slowly, but after his destruction of the iron-chinned Librado Andrade (28-3, 21 KO), I’m sold. The only bad thing I can say about Bute is he's not in the Super Six.
Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KO): A move to light heavyweight turned out to be great for Pascal. It is a division that has gotten stale over the years, and boxing fans were looking for someone to challenge Chad Dawson (29-0, 17 KO). In his first fight at the higher weight, Pascal won the vacant WBC belt after taking an entertaining decision from Adrian Diaconu (26-2, 15 KO). Pascal then dispatched Silvio Branco in 10 and fended off Diaconu again, this time with one shoulder (Pascal’s right shoulder had to be popped back into place twice during the fight).
3. The Villain Returns
Love him or hate him, you have to like the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0, 25 KO) in 2009. The guy may not be the most likable character in the world, but he sure knows how to box. He put on a master show against a very talented boxer in Juan Manuel Marquez (I know Marquez was much smaller, but he is still a great fighter). Without Mayweather's return, Manny Pacquiao would be without a dance partner for the March 13 super-fight. It’s like my Mom used to say: “It takes two to tango." Also, you must admit that the 24/7s just aren’t as fun without the whole Mayweather clan. There were so many times I was praying Uncle Roger would show up and train Miguel Cotto.
2. World Boxing Classic
What a great idea -- taking some of the best guys in a stacked division and pitting them against each other in a round robin-style tournament. Why is this such a new thing? Showtime deserves all the credit for putting together a format that will hopefully catch on in other weight classes and flush out some new superstars in the world of boxing. We have already seen three solid fights, we are lined up to see three more at the start 2010, and after that, we have another three to look forward to -- and that’s before we even get to the semifinals. I hope this -- or something close to it -- becomes a staple in the boxing world.
1. Manny Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KO)
Come on, what has been nicer in 2009 than Manny Pacquiao? The man has risen from a great fighter to an all-time great in less than a year’s time. Sure, he had momentum coming in from 2008, but did anyone really think he wasn’t going to do a job on Diaz? And the whole Oscar De La Hoya thing seemed more like a circus sideshow at the time. I am not even going to get into the sudden sideshow that the Mayweather negotiations have turned into; it would only tarnish what a great year Pacquiao had.
In 2009, Pacquiao took on two legit champions in Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, and he left no questions lingering in the way he finished off both fighters. The left hook he landed on Hatton nearly decapitated the poor guy, and the beating he gave Cotto may have ended his career (at least as the fighter we have come to know). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fighter that is as skilled as he is entertaining. Without question, the nicest thing about 2009 was watching Manny Pacquiao KO his way into the record books (he is the first fighter to capture seven world titles in seven different weight classes).
There you have it -- all that was Naughty and Nice in the year 2009, according to the Bryguy. As I said, I enjoyed jotting them down so much, I may do it every year in honor of my own version of Boxing Day. Please let me know if there is anything I left out, or if you disagree with any items on my list.
I hope all you boxing fans out there have a safe and happy holiday. Let's hope Santa brings us a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
Santa and I definitely have different opinions as to what is "nice": Santa thinks helping old people across the street is nice, Bryguy thinks pinning a guy on the ropes and going to the body is nice. Santa thinks leaving him cookies is nice, Bryguy thinks leaving an opponent battered and bloody is nice. Santa likes peace on earth, Bryguy likes to see a guy get dropped by a left hook in the second round.
I enjoyed making this list so much that I've decided that I'm going to make it a Boxing Day tradition. Hey, Canada celebrates a different Thanksgiving than we do, so why can't I celebrate a different kind of Boxing Day? From here on out, year after year, you can count on me to break down the Naughty and Nice for Boxing Day.
Honorable Mention:
24/7 -- This documentary-style advertisement for HBO's big fights is one of the best things on TV in my opinion. The program follows each fighter around for the weeks leading up to the big event for an up-close and personal view of their camp and all the characters involved in it. The show is done so well that people who don't usually watch boxing get into 24/7, so I suppose that's why HBO does it. For a boxing fan, there is nothing better than a big fight, and any extras that come along with it are just bonuses -- especially if it's done as well as 24/7.
5. Quality Fights
I think the downturn in the economy has helped boxing fans. There have been more quality fights on regular television than I can remember in the past (it’s sad, but I consider HBO and Showtime regular television). A few years ago, fights like Shane Mosley vs. Antonio Margarito would have been pushed as a pay per view. Remember, in 2008, HBO was planning a PPV for Zab Judah and Mosley. A fight like that in 2009 would never have been put on PPV. Instead, we got to see quality fights like Juan Manual Marquez vs. Juan Diaz, Kermit Cintron vs. Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright, Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade, Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey ... you get the picture. Also, thanks to the push from UFC, the fights are getting better. I didn't see too many lopsided fights on the big networks -- outside of maybe the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard fights.
4. New Blood
Usually I am very skeptical when I hear people pushing boxers as the stars of tomorrow. That sometimes comes with HBO dates against overmatched opponents and sickening amounts of butt-kissing from the HBO team (except maybe Larry Merchant -- he pretty much tells it like it is). This year, I saw more deserving fighters having star-making performances than I have in quite some time. Here are a few on my list:
Andre Ward (21-0,13 KO): The 2004 gold medalist has had his doubters since he turned professional, but the whooping he put on the favorite in the Super Six tournament should have started a long line for his bandwagon. His fight against Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KO) was a star-making performance if I've ever seen one.
Timothy Bradley (25-0,11 KO): Bradley has been a champion at 140 pounds since 2008 and he defended his title three times in 2009, but it was his last fight against Lamont Peterson that really had people noticing what a great champion he could be. He got better with every fight and finally proved to me he is the real deal. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do in 2010.
Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO): Khan was a much-hyped prospect coming out of the Olympics and was all but written off when he was KO'd soundly in the first round by Breidis Prescott (21-2, 18 KO). Khan made a great career move in hooking up with Freddie Roach, which led to a stellar year. He took a technical decision in five against legend Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7, 43 KO), outboxed Andriy Kotelnik over 12 and demolished Dmitriy Salita (30-1-1, 16 KO) in about a minute and a half.
Lamont Peterson (27-1, 13 KO): I was impressed with the skills, heart and overall composure that Peterson showed in his fight with Timothy Bradley. I think he proved that he has what it takes to be a champion -- just not right now, and especially not against a steamrolling Bradley.
Lucian Bute (25-0, 20 KO): I know that in Canada, Lucian Bute is already a star, and he was starting to win me over slowly, but after his destruction of the iron-chinned Librado Andrade (28-3, 21 KO), I’m sold. The only bad thing I can say about Bute is he's not in the Super Six.
Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KO): A move to light heavyweight turned out to be great for Pascal. It is a division that has gotten stale over the years, and boxing fans were looking for someone to challenge Chad Dawson (29-0, 17 KO). In his first fight at the higher weight, Pascal won the vacant WBC belt after taking an entertaining decision from Adrian Diaconu (26-2, 15 KO). Pascal then dispatched Silvio Branco in 10 and fended off Diaconu again, this time with one shoulder (Pascal’s right shoulder had to be popped back into place twice during the fight).
3. The Villain Returns
Love him or hate him, you have to like the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0, 25 KO) in 2009. The guy may not be the most likable character in the world, but he sure knows how to box. He put on a master show against a very talented boxer in Juan Manuel Marquez (I know Marquez was much smaller, but he is still a great fighter). Without Mayweather's return, Manny Pacquiao would be without a dance partner for the March 13 super-fight. It’s like my Mom used to say: “It takes two to tango." Also, you must admit that the 24/7s just aren’t as fun without the whole Mayweather clan. There were so many times I was praying Uncle Roger would show up and train Miguel Cotto.
2. World Boxing Classic
What a great idea -- taking some of the best guys in a stacked division and pitting them against each other in a round robin-style tournament. Why is this such a new thing? Showtime deserves all the credit for putting together a format that will hopefully catch on in other weight classes and flush out some new superstars in the world of boxing. We have already seen three solid fights, we are lined up to see three more at the start 2010, and after that, we have another three to look forward to -- and that’s before we even get to the semifinals. I hope this -- or something close to it -- becomes a staple in the boxing world.
1. Manny Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KO)
Come on, what has been nicer in 2009 than Manny Pacquiao? The man has risen from a great fighter to an all-time great in less than a year’s time. Sure, he had momentum coming in from 2008, but did anyone really think he wasn’t going to do a job on Diaz? And the whole Oscar De La Hoya thing seemed more like a circus sideshow at the time. I am not even going to get into the sudden sideshow that the Mayweather negotiations have turned into; it would only tarnish what a great year Pacquiao had.
In 2009, Pacquiao took on two legit champions in Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, and he left no questions lingering in the way he finished off both fighters. The left hook he landed on Hatton nearly decapitated the poor guy, and the beating he gave Cotto may have ended his career (at least as the fighter we have come to know). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fighter that is as skilled as he is entertaining. Without question, the nicest thing about 2009 was watching Manny Pacquiao KO his way into the record books (he is the first fighter to capture seven world titles in seven different weight classes).
There you have it -- all that was Naughty and Nice in the year 2009, according to the Bryguy. As I said, I enjoyed jotting them down so much, I may do it every year in honor of my own version of Boxing Day. Please let me know if there is anything I left out, or if you disagree with any items on my list.
I hope all you boxing fans out there have a safe and happy holiday. Let's hope Santa brings us a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
Floyd Mayweather rejected $10 million drug penalty for Manny Pacquiao
I thought I had a semi-bright idea to solve the blood testing contractual impasse which threatens to blow up the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao mega fight which was planned for March 13.
Why not, I thought, take a cue from the over-contractual weight penalty clause that has been used in prior fights (including Mayweather’s September victory over Juan Manuel Marquez) and insert a million dollars or more penalty if either Floyd or Manny comes up “dirty” in pre or post bout testing?
(In fact, Pacquiao demanded a $10 million per pound over contract weight of 147 pounds clause and Mayweather swiftly agreed.)
I just spoke to a still furious Bob Arum, erupting like Mt. St. Helen’s unleashing hot, molten lava, and Pacquiao’s promoter told me, in no uncertain terms, that he views the random blood testing demanded by the Mayweather is harassment for his client and a ruse to get out of fighting his main Man-ny.
Arum also put the kibosh on my perky concept, saying his stepson and Top Rank president Todd duBoef had already tried that play.
“The fight is off. We will not go along with anytime blood testing the way they want it,” Arum said. “It’s harassment of Manny, that’s all it is. They’re playing mind games and one of their games could be to pop up and say, at the weigh in, 'OK we now demand a blood test.'
“The testing by the Nevada commission is more than adequate to catch any malefactors,” Arum said, resorting to one of his learned-at-Harvard-Law-School words. “But Mayweather is bigger than the commission. Mayweather is bigger than the sport itself.
“Because his idiot of a father (Floyd Senior) says Manny is cheating with drugs that justifies everything. They can test Manny at any other time they want to, we don’t have a problem with that, but not right before the fight. They want to harass him psychologically.”
Arum said he and duBoef extended an offer of a “caught dirty” penalty to apply to both boxers.
“I sent Todd in like my Neville Chamberlain (British prime minister who preceded Winston Churchill and who appeased Adolf Hitler) to settle it that way,” Arum said.
“We named some crazy amounts of money here., really anything they want…make it $5 million or $10 million, that is fine. But they weren’t interested.”
Arum said he had “no idea” what position Mayweather’s unofficial manager, Al Haymon, takes on the deal blowing up over the blood test demands but he did take a sly shot at Golden Boy bossman and former banker Richie Rich Schaefer.
Arum said Schaefer just follows the script as dictated to him by Mayweather.
“You know Swiss bankers, they will go along with anything…if you know what I mean,” Arum said, an apparent reference to the IRS crackdown on Americans holding secret accounts at Schaefer’s ex-employer, UBS Bank.
(Note that Schaefer's reputation as a banker is unsullied in any way. You may accuse Arum of dirty pool here but I'm sure Richie can more than counterpunch with Arum if he cares to.)
Arum reiterated that the Mayweather can have urine testing done at any time, even up to 24 hours before the fight.
“We don’t want the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) either,” Arum said. “All the doctors say that urine testing is superior to blood testing anyway. We say bring in the same agency that tests the NBA and NFL players and let them handle it. This is professional boxing not some amateur sport.
“We’ve been more than reasonable on this. I’ll say it again, Mayweather is a coward, he has always been a coward and he never wanted to fight Manny.”
Why not, I thought, take a cue from the over-contractual weight penalty clause that has been used in prior fights (including Mayweather’s September victory over Juan Manuel Marquez) and insert a million dollars or more penalty if either Floyd or Manny comes up “dirty” in pre or post bout testing?
(In fact, Pacquiao demanded a $10 million per pound over contract weight of 147 pounds clause and Mayweather swiftly agreed.)
I just spoke to a still furious Bob Arum, erupting like Mt. St. Helen’s unleashing hot, molten lava, and Pacquiao’s promoter told me, in no uncertain terms, that he views the random blood testing demanded by the Mayweather is harassment for his client and a ruse to get out of fighting his main Man-ny.
Arum also put the kibosh on my perky concept, saying his stepson and Top Rank president Todd duBoef had already tried that play.
“The fight is off. We will not go along with anytime blood testing the way they want it,” Arum said. “It’s harassment of Manny, that’s all it is. They’re playing mind games and one of their games could be to pop up and say, at the weigh in, 'OK we now demand a blood test.'
“The testing by the Nevada commission is more than adequate to catch any malefactors,” Arum said, resorting to one of his learned-at-Harvard-Law-School words. “But Mayweather is bigger than the commission. Mayweather is bigger than the sport itself.
“Because his idiot of a father (Floyd Senior) says Manny is cheating with drugs that justifies everything. They can test Manny at any other time they want to, we don’t have a problem with that, but not right before the fight. They want to harass him psychologically.”
Arum said he and duBoef extended an offer of a “caught dirty” penalty to apply to both boxers.
“I sent Todd in like my Neville Chamberlain (British prime minister who preceded Winston Churchill and who appeased Adolf Hitler) to settle it that way,” Arum said.
“We named some crazy amounts of money here., really anything they want…make it $5 million or $10 million, that is fine. But they weren’t interested.”
Arum said he had “no idea” what position Mayweather’s unofficial manager, Al Haymon, takes on the deal blowing up over the blood test demands but he did take a sly shot at Golden Boy bossman and former banker Richie Rich Schaefer.
Arum said Schaefer just follows the script as dictated to him by Mayweather.
“You know Swiss bankers, they will go along with anything…if you know what I mean,” Arum said, an apparent reference to the IRS crackdown on Americans holding secret accounts at Schaefer’s ex-employer, UBS Bank.
(Note that Schaefer's reputation as a banker is unsullied in any way. You may accuse Arum of dirty pool here but I'm sure Richie can more than counterpunch with Arum if he cares to.)
Arum reiterated that the Mayweather can have urine testing done at any time, even up to 24 hours before the fight.
“We don’t want the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) either,” Arum said. “All the doctors say that urine testing is superior to blood testing anyway. We say bring in the same agency that tests the NBA and NFL players and let them handle it. This is professional boxing not some amateur sport.
“We’ve been more than reasonable on this. I’ll say it again, Mayweather is a coward, he has always been a coward and he never wanted to fight Manny.”
Bad blood? Testing issue scuttles fight
Floyd Mayweather Jr. was expected to provide the toughest test of Manny Pacquiao's career -- only it was supposed to happen in a boxing ring.
The superstars' proposed March 13 showdown at the MGM Grand Garden appears to be off, scrapped by Pacquiao's objection to the Mayweather camp's insistence on stringent prefight blood testing administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, said Wednesday that his fighter will not submit to the multiple blood tests. If Mayweather refuses to compromise on the issue, Pacquiao will fight someone else on March 13, possibly Yuri Foreman or Paulie Malignaggi.
"The fight is off as of now," Arum said. "Will they be able to save it? I don't know. But in my heart, I never believed Mayweather wanted to fight Pacquiao, and this is his way of getting out of it.
"This whole exercise is a malicious attempt to smear Manny Pacquiao. I knew what their game was, and I wasn't going to allow them to put Manny through that."
Mayweather's camp has inferred that Pacquiao's enhanced size and strength did not come naturally and wants him to submit to Olympic-style random drug testing, including five to six blood tests and as many as 10 urine tests.
Pacquiao has not flunked a drug test in his 13 years as a professional. Arum said Pacquiao is willing to be blood tested on a limited basis, either through the Nevada Athletic Commission or through an independent agency like those that administer tests for the NFL and the NBA.
"Manny has said all along he would allow himself to have blood drawn," Arum said. "But he's not going to have blood drawn right before he enters the ring. That's ridiculous.
"In my mind, since the fight was going to be in Las Vegas, the Nevada commission has jurisdiction over the fight. They should be the ones overseeing the testing. If that's not acceptable (to Mayweather), then have an independent agency do it."
According to Arum, Pacquiao would allow his blood to be tested in early January, coinciding with a kickoff news conference in New York, again 30 days before the fight and once more after the fight. In addition, Pacquiao would submit to an unlimited number of urine tests.
Arum said the USADA would not be able to meet those terms because of its protocol.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef was talking Wednesday to Richard Schaefer, the chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, who has been representing Mayweather in the negotiations, to see if Mayweather would accept a compromise. On Tuesday, both Schaefer and Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's co-manager, said their stance on drug testing through the USADA was non-negotiable and that they would not permit the NAC to administer the additional tests.
On Wednesday, Schaefer seemed to be softening his stance slightly.
"I saw Bob's comments, and it's not really random when he's proposing specific dates," Schaefer said. "I think the blood testing is important because if you don't do blood, things like EPO and HGH can't be detected.
"But I'm not willing to give up. I think it needs calmer heads and some diplomacy. If we get that, maybe we can get this done. Let's see what happens in the next couple of days."
The superstars' proposed March 13 showdown at the MGM Grand Garden appears to be off, scrapped by Pacquiao's objection to the Mayweather camp's insistence on stringent prefight blood testing administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, said Wednesday that his fighter will not submit to the multiple blood tests. If Mayweather refuses to compromise on the issue, Pacquiao will fight someone else on March 13, possibly Yuri Foreman or Paulie Malignaggi.
"The fight is off as of now," Arum said. "Will they be able to save it? I don't know. But in my heart, I never believed Mayweather wanted to fight Pacquiao, and this is his way of getting out of it.
"This whole exercise is a malicious attempt to smear Manny Pacquiao. I knew what their game was, and I wasn't going to allow them to put Manny through that."
Mayweather's camp has inferred that Pacquiao's enhanced size and strength did not come naturally and wants him to submit to Olympic-style random drug testing, including five to six blood tests and as many as 10 urine tests.
Pacquiao has not flunked a drug test in his 13 years as a professional. Arum said Pacquiao is willing to be blood tested on a limited basis, either through the Nevada Athletic Commission or through an independent agency like those that administer tests for the NFL and the NBA.
"Manny has said all along he would allow himself to have blood drawn," Arum said. "But he's not going to have blood drawn right before he enters the ring. That's ridiculous.
"In my mind, since the fight was going to be in Las Vegas, the Nevada commission has jurisdiction over the fight. They should be the ones overseeing the testing. If that's not acceptable (to Mayweather), then have an independent agency do it."
According to Arum, Pacquiao would allow his blood to be tested in early January, coinciding with a kickoff news conference in New York, again 30 days before the fight and once more after the fight. In addition, Pacquiao would submit to an unlimited number of urine tests.
Arum said the USADA would not be able to meet those terms because of its protocol.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef was talking Wednesday to Richard Schaefer, the chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, who has been representing Mayweather in the negotiations, to see if Mayweather would accept a compromise. On Tuesday, both Schaefer and Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's co-manager, said their stance on drug testing through the USADA was non-negotiable and that they would not permit the NAC to administer the additional tests.
On Wednesday, Schaefer seemed to be softening his stance slightly.
"I saw Bob's comments, and it's not really random when he's proposing specific dates," Schaefer said. "I think the blood testing is important because if you don't do blood, things like EPO and HGH can't be detected.
"But I'm not willing to give up. I think it needs calmer heads and some diplomacy. If we get that, maybe we can get this done. Let's see what happens in the next couple of days."
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