Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Pacquiao, Clottey to rumble at Cowboys Stadium
Pacquiao, Clottey to rumble at Cowboys Stadium
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Guys wearing jeans and cowboy hats ran through dry ice and past the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, sparklers firing from the tips of the flagpoles they carried.
Michael Buffer gave his signature introduction, the music blared, the highlights rolled and, finally—walking through the same tunnel the Cowboys use to enter and exit their home turf—out came boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
No, this wasn’t a test run for Pacquiao’s March 13 welterweight fight against Joshua Clottey in the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium.
This was merely the news conference kicking off the hype for a bout being billed as “The Event.”
“This is going to be the Super Bowl of boxing,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer.
Not really. That would’ve been the hoped-for matchup between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., which was scuttled after Mayweather outlined a drug testing plan Pacquiao wouldn’t accept.
Had that fight come together, it would have been in Las Vegas. So as far as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is concerned, things worked out just fine.
“It did,” Jones said, smiling. “This gave us an opening. We were very aggressive. We were pretty quick to make a deal.”
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum was smitten by the stadium during negotiations for a possible Pacquaio-Mayweather fight. Arum returned for a Cowboys playoff game, sitting near former President George W. Bush in Jones’ box.
Arum has promoted fights at the Astrodome and at Yankee Stadium. He predicts Cowboys Stadium “will have a big role in boxing for years to come.”
“I have never, ever seen anything like it,” Arum said. “There is nothing in the world like this place. It just blows you away.”
The stadium is hosting the NBA All-Star Game next month and will host the Super Bowl next year. A Final Four is on the way, as is a Notre Dame football game. It’s also in the running as a World Cup soccer site, should that event come to the United States.
Still, for all that it has going for it, the building is right off an interstate highway in a suburb midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. There’s a nearby amusement park and some strip centers, none of which will ever be confused with the Las Vegas Strip.
But money talks and Jones believes he can make it financially worthwhile for fighters. His goal is to host up to four or five fights a year, “once we establish that we are the place to fight and have the kind of stature that we want to have.” He used Madison Square Garden as a comparison.
For this fight, the Cowboys are planning to sell around 40,000 seats, offering tickets on all but the highest decks.
There’s no decision yet on whether they will have the standing-room only tickets that have been so popular for other events since the stadium opened last summer. Considering the HBO pay-per-view will cost $49.95, it would be a heck of a deal to pay that much to watch on the stadium’s enormous video boards, while also being in the building.
Jones vowed that fight night will be even splashier than the news conference.
“We’re going to make this one of the most interesting fights to view that there’s ever been,” he said. “It’ll have everything to do with the flexibility of this board right above the ring. We’re going to have some fun with it.”
The fight itself should be pretty good, too.
Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) is widely considered the best fighter, pound-for-pound, in the world. In November, he beat Miguel Cotto, who beat Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) last summer. However, that fight was a split decision that many felt should’ve gone to Clottey, a native of Ghana who lives in New York.
The boxers praised each other during Tuesday’s event. They also were gushing over the facility and the glitzy news conference.
“I like the introduction,” Pacquiao said. “I’m surprised. I feel like I’m a … football player!”
Soon enough, he looked like one.
Jones presented Pacquiao with a No. 3 jersey featuring his name on the back. Clottey received a No. 13 jersey.
The significance? It’s shorthand for the date of the bout: 3-13.
Jones already has gotten ticket requests from former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells. Jones and Barry Switzer have gone to fights together, so he’ll probably ask for a seat, too.
Parcells, though, is the biggest fight fan of the bunch. In fact, Jones once looked into investing in Pacquiao’s career.
“Bill really encouraged me to meet with the guy who had Pacquiao,” Jones said. “I had him come in and sit down and talk about backing Pacquiao. You could see his potential at that time.”
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Guys wearing jeans and cowboy hats ran through dry ice and past the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, sparklers firing from the tips of the flagpoles they carried.
Michael Buffer gave his signature introduction, the music blared, the highlights rolled and, finally—walking through the same tunnel the Cowboys use to enter and exit their home turf—out came boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
No, this wasn’t a test run for Pacquiao’s March 13 welterweight fight against Joshua Clottey in the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium.
This was merely the news conference kicking off the hype for a bout being billed as “The Event.”
“This is going to be the Super Bowl of boxing,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer.
Not really. That would’ve been the hoped-for matchup between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., which was scuttled after Mayweather outlined a drug testing plan Pacquiao wouldn’t accept.
Had that fight come together, it would have been in Las Vegas. So as far as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is concerned, things worked out just fine.
“It did,” Jones said, smiling. “This gave us an opening. We were very aggressive. We were pretty quick to make a deal.”
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum was smitten by the stadium during negotiations for a possible Pacquaio-Mayweather fight. Arum returned for a Cowboys playoff game, sitting near former President George W. Bush in Jones’ box.
Arum has promoted fights at the Astrodome and at Yankee Stadium. He predicts Cowboys Stadium “will have a big role in boxing for years to come.”
“I have never, ever seen anything like it,” Arum said. “There is nothing in the world like this place. It just blows you away.”
The stadium is hosting the NBA All-Star Game next month and will host the Super Bowl next year. A Final Four is on the way, as is a Notre Dame football game. It’s also in the running as a World Cup soccer site, should that event come to the United States.
Still, for all that it has going for it, the building is right off an interstate highway in a suburb midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. There’s a nearby amusement park and some strip centers, none of which will ever be confused with the Las Vegas Strip.
But money talks and Jones believes he can make it financially worthwhile for fighters. His goal is to host up to four or five fights a year, “once we establish that we are the place to fight and have the kind of stature that we want to have.” He used Madison Square Garden as a comparison.
For this fight, the Cowboys are planning to sell around 40,000 seats, offering tickets on all but the highest decks.
There’s no decision yet on whether they will have the standing-room only tickets that have been so popular for other events since the stadium opened last summer. Considering the HBO pay-per-view will cost $49.95, it would be a heck of a deal to pay that much to watch on the stadium’s enormous video boards, while also being in the building.
Jones vowed that fight night will be even splashier than the news conference.
“We’re going to make this one of the most interesting fights to view that there’s ever been,” he said. “It’ll have everything to do with the flexibility of this board right above the ring. We’re going to have some fun with it.”
The fight itself should be pretty good, too.
Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) is widely considered the best fighter, pound-for-pound, in the world. In November, he beat Miguel Cotto, who beat Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) last summer. However, that fight was a split decision that many felt should’ve gone to Clottey, a native of Ghana who lives in New York.
The boxers praised each other during Tuesday’s event. They also were gushing over the facility and the glitzy news conference.
“I like the introduction,” Pacquiao said. “I’m surprised. I feel like I’m a … football player!”
Soon enough, he looked like one.
Jones presented Pacquiao with a No. 3 jersey featuring his name on the back. Clottey received a No. 13 jersey.
The significance? It’s shorthand for the date of the bout: 3-13.
Jones already has gotten ticket requests from former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells. Jones and Barry Switzer have gone to fights together, so he’ll probably ask for a seat, too.
Parcells, though, is the biggest fight fan of the bunch. In fact, Jones once looked into investing in Pacquiao’s career.
“Bill really encouraged me to meet with the guy who had Pacquiao,” Jones said. “I had him come in and sit down and talk about backing Pacquiao. You could see his potential at that time.”
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
HBO spared tough call
HBO spared tough call
You can follow Kevin Iole on Twitter at @KevinI
The brass at HBO Sports weren’t too excited about having to choose between airing a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight on March 13 promoted by Golden Boy Promotions or one between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, promoted by Top Rank.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are the sport’s two biggest stars and Golden Boy and Top Rank are its most powerful promoters.
More From Kevin Iole
Berto withdrawal could lead to Floyd-Mosley Jan 18, 2010
Citing earthquake, Berto pulls out of fight Jan 18, 2010
HBO had appeared to make its choice – Mayweather and Golden Boy – but made no announcement.
Good thing.
On Tuesday, HBO Sports senior vice president Mark Taffet was in Dallas for the Pacquiao-Clottey news conference. HBO was freed from having to make a decision when Andre Berto withdrew from his Jan. 30 fight with Shane Mosley and a Mayweather-Mosley fight became a possibility.
Because it was almost impossible to negotiate a deal and properly promote the fight by March 13, HBO had no decision to make. It was clear the only fight on that date was going to be Pacquiao-Clottey.
Had the Berto-Mosley fight not be canceled – and why was it canceled and not simply postponed? – Golden Boy was planning a Mayweather fight against a different opponent on March 13. That would have put HBO Sports in the unenviable, and losing, position of having to choose.
It’s safe to assume that HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, Taffet and Kery Davis, the senior vice president of programming, exhaled after learning of the Berto-Mosley cancellation.
Now, it’s on to the mailbag. Thanks to all who emailed wondering what was up with the two-week hiatus, but it was simply a post-holiday vacation. I’m back and so is the mailbag, on its regular Tuesday schedule.
You can follow Kevin Iole on Twitter at @KevinI
The brass at HBO Sports weren’t too excited about having to choose between airing a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight on March 13 promoted by Golden Boy Promotions or one between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, promoted by Top Rank.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are the sport’s two biggest stars and Golden Boy and Top Rank are its most powerful promoters.
More From Kevin Iole
Berto withdrawal could lead to Floyd-Mosley Jan 18, 2010
Citing earthquake, Berto pulls out of fight Jan 18, 2010
HBO had appeared to make its choice – Mayweather and Golden Boy – but made no announcement.
Good thing.
On Tuesday, HBO Sports senior vice president Mark Taffet was in Dallas for the Pacquiao-Clottey news conference. HBO was freed from having to make a decision when Andre Berto withdrew from his Jan. 30 fight with Shane Mosley and a Mayweather-Mosley fight became a possibility.
Because it was almost impossible to negotiate a deal and properly promote the fight by March 13, HBO had no decision to make. It was clear the only fight on that date was going to be Pacquiao-Clottey.
Had the Berto-Mosley fight not be canceled – and why was it canceled and not simply postponed? – Golden Boy was planning a Mayweather fight against a different opponent on March 13. That would have put HBO Sports in the unenviable, and losing, position of having to choose.
It’s safe to assume that HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, Taffet and Kery Davis, the senior vice president of programming, exhaled after learning of the Berto-Mosley cancellation.
Now, it’s on to the mailbag. Thanks to all who emailed wondering what was up with the two-week hiatus, but it was simply a post-holiday vacation. I’m back and so is the mailbag, on its regular Tuesday schedule.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Team Pacquiao to push for catchweight vs Clottey
Team Pacquiao to push for catchweight vs Clottey
ABS-CBN - Wednesday, January 13
MANILA, Philippines – A member of Team Pacquiao revealed their plan to propose a catchweight for the March 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, after it was earlier reported that trainer Freddie Roach said there will be no catchweight.
“We will push for the 145 [lbs.] catchweight,” Pacquiao’s lawyer, Jeng Gacal, told ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
According to Gacal, the fight deal is sealed, save for the possible catchweight. Pacquiao and Clottey are slated to fight at 147 lbs.
“Ilalakad po natin tulad po sa nangyari sa [Miguel] Cotto fight na 145. Talagang mas malaki ang mga taong ito,” said Gacal, referring to Clottey and Cotto who were naturally bigger fighters than Pacquiao.
Roach, on the other hand, earlier said that the Filipino boxing superstar was comfortable with fighting at 147 lbs.
“It will be at 147. There’s no catchweight,” Roach told FightHype.com. A catchweight describes the weight limit for a fight that does not fall in traditional limits for weight classes.
Pacquiao will put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at stake when he faces Ghana’s Clottey, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion, at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Feather in cap
Gacal went on to disclose Pacquiao’s plans for his training camp.
“Sa America po [ang training] ang plano ni Manny. Ngayong Linggo, maaaring lumipad kami patungong America.”
As for the purse split, Gacal stated: “Maganda po ang hatian sapagkat ito’y natural na mas pabor ito kay Manny Pacquiao sapagkat alam naman po natin na ang alas dito ay si Manny Pacquiao.”
The lawyer also commented on Pacquiao’s upcoming debut at the Cowboys Stadium.
“Sa sitwasyon pong ito, talagang yung may-ari ng stadium na si Mr. Jerry Jones, talagang gusto niyang makuha si Manny Pacquiao na mapanood sa kaniyang lugar. Ito po ay ika nga, feather in his cap."
“At maganda naman po ang naging offer ni Mr. Jerry Jones so ito po ay makakabuti rin sa dalawang boxer at para mabago rin ang venue. Medyo lagi nalang sa Vegas,” noted Gacal.
Post-Clottey
The seven-division champion was supposed to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The much-anticipated bout, however, was called off because the boxers’ camps disagreed on the drug testing protocol.
“Hindi ko alam kung mangyayari pa,” Gacal said of the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight. “Siguro kung magbabago ang takbo ng pag-iisip ni Floyd ay maaring mangyayari.”
He also mentioned that there are other plans lined up for Pacquiao if ever he wins over his Ghanaian foe.
Meanwhile, Gacal said the Clottey fight will not get in the way of Pacquiao’s political plans of running for the Saragani Province congressional seat in May.
He believes that Pacquiao’s two-month absence from the local scene, as he will be training and fighting in the US, will not affect his political campaign.
“Hindi pa naman puwede mangampanya sapagkat ang pangangampanya ng local officials ay magsisimula sa March 26. Mahaba-haba na rin yung preparasyon ni Manny sa kaniyang pagtakbo. He started almost a year ago.”
ABS-CBN - Wednesday, January 13
MANILA, Philippines – A member of Team Pacquiao revealed their plan to propose a catchweight for the March 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, after it was earlier reported that trainer Freddie Roach said there will be no catchweight.
“We will push for the 145 [lbs.] catchweight,” Pacquiao’s lawyer, Jeng Gacal, told ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
According to Gacal, the fight deal is sealed, save for the possible catchweight. Pacquiao and Clottey are slated to fight at 147 lbs.
“Ilalakad po natin tulad po sa nangyari sa [Miguel] Cotto fight na 145. Talagang mas malaki ang mga taong ito,” said Gacal, referring to Clottey and Cotto who were naturally bigger fighters than Pacquiao.
Roach, on the other hand, earlier said that the Filipino boxing superstar was comfortable with fighting at 147 lbs.
“It will be at 147. There’s no catchweight,” Roach told FightHype.com. A catchweight describes the weight limit for a fight that does not fall in traditional limits for weight classes.
Pacquiao will put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at stake when he faces Ghana’s Clottey, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion, at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Feather in cap
Gacal went on to disclose Pacquiao’s plans for his training camp.
“Sa America po [ang training] ang plano ni Manny. Ngayong Linggo, maaaring lumipad kami patungong America.”
As for the purse split, Gacal stated: “Maganda po ang hatian sapagkat ito’y natural na mas pabor ito kay Manny Pacquiao sapagkat alam naman po natin na ang alas dito ay si Manny Pacquiao.”
The lawyer also commented on Pacquiao’s upcoming debut at the Cowboys Stadium.
“Sa sitwasyon pong ito, talagang yung may-ari ng stadium na si Mr. Jerry Jones, talagang gusto niyang makuha si Manny Pacquiao na mapanood sa kaniyang lugar. Ito po ay ika nga, feather in his cap."
“At maganda naman po ang naging offer ni Mr. Jerry Jones so ito po ay makakabuti rin sa dalawang boxer at para mabago rin ang venue. Medyo lagi nalang sa Vegas,” noted Gacal.
Post-Clottey
The seven-division champion was supposed to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The much-anticipated bout, however, was called off because the boxers’ camps disagreed on the drug testing protocol.
“Hindi ko alam kung mangyayari pa,” Gacal said of the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight. “Siguro kung magbabago ang takbo ng pag-iisip ni Floyd ay maaring mangyayari.”
He also mentioned that there are other plans lined up for Pacquiao if ever he wins over his Ghanaian foe.
Meanwhile, Gacal said the Clottey fight will not get in the way of Pacquiao’s political plans of running for the Saragani Province congressional seat in May.
He believes that Pacquiao’s two-month absence from the local scene, as he will be training and fighting in the US, will not affect his political campaign.
“Hindi pa naman puwede mangampanya sapagkat ang pangangampanya ng local officials ay magsisimula sa March 26. Mahaba-haba na rin yung preparasyon ni Manny sa kaniyang pagtakbo. He started almost a year ago.”
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Pacquiao wraps up deal for Clottey
Pacquiao wraps up deal for Clottey
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
Manny Pacquiao will fight March 13 at Cowboys Stadium, but not against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said Sunday he has finalized a deal to match Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey in a welterweight bout at the new $1.2 billion stadium. Arum moved swiftly to land a lucrative fight for his Filipino star after his contentious negotiations for a megafight with Mayweather fell apart in a prolonged dispute over blood testing.ADVERTISEMENT
Arum was in Texas over the weekend to wrap up details for the pay-per-view fight, which will be the first boxing match in the stadium. Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the arena will be configured to seat 50,000 fans for the fight, but the capacity could be raised or lowered.
“This stadium has blown me away,” Arum told The Associated Press. “It is the most magnificent facility I’ve ever seen.”
Arum took in the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, sitting just two seats from former President George W. Bush. Arum said Bush had the same reaction he’s heard repeatedly since negotiations with Mayweather bogged down
“Too bad you didn’t get Mayweather, but what difference does it make?” Arum said Bush told him. “Everybody just wants see Pacquiao anyway.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly offered a $25 million site fee for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, which fell apart over Mayweather’s insistence on stringent drug testing and Pacquiao’s reluctance to agree. The sides went into mediation to resolve the dispute, but a compromise couldn’t be reached.
And though Arum is a longtime New York Giants season ticket-holder, he found common ground with Jones for another major event in the opulent new stadium.
“This is a competitive fight, as competitive as the Cotto fight going in,” Arum said. “We got a tremendous deal at the site. It’s a big event, and I think we’ll do unbelievable.”
Although Mayweather’s representatives still were holding out hope the Pacquiao fight could be salvaged, Mayweather also is expected to fight March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, which would have been the site of his bout with Pacquiao. Paulie Malignaggi has been the most popular contender for that fight.
Although Clottey has no fraction of Mayweather’s fame, he’s a worthy welterweight opponent for Pacquiao, widely considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The hard-hitting Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs), a native of Ghana who lives in New York, is coming off a split-decision loss to Miguel Cotto last June, a fight that some felt Clottey won.
Cotto went on to take a thrashing from Pacquiao in November, losing when the fight was stopped in the final round.
AP Boxing Writer Tim Dahlberg contributed to this report.
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
Manny Pacquiao will fight March 13 at Cowboys Stadium, but not against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said Sunday he has finalized a deal to match Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey in a welterweight bout at the new $1.2 billion stadium. Arum moved swiftly to land a lucrative fight for his Filipino star after his contentious negotiations for a megafight with Mayweather fell apart in a prolonged dispute over blood testing.ADVERTISEMENT
Arum was in Texas over the weekend to wrap up details for the pay-per-view fight, which will be the first boxing match in the stadium. Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the arena will be configured to seat 50,000 fans for the fight, but the capacity could be raised or lowered.
“This stadium has blown me away,” Arum told The Associated Press. “It is the most magnificent facility I’ve ever seen.”
Arum took in the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, sitting just two seats from former President George W. Bush. Arum said Bush had the same reaction he’s heard repeatedly since negotiations with Mayweather bogged down
“Too bad you didn’t get Mayweather, but what difference does it make?” Arum said Bush told him. “Everybody just wants see Pacquiao anyway.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly offered a $25 million site fee for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, which fell apart over Mayweather’s insistence on stringent drug testing and Pacquiao’s reluctance to agree. The sides went into mediation to resolve the dispute, but a compromise couldn’t be reached.
And though Arum is a longtime New York Giants season ticket-holder, he found common ground with Jones for another major event in the opulent new stadium.
“This is a competitive fight, as competitive as the Cotto fight going in,” Arum said. “We got a tremendous deal at the site. It’s a big event, and I think we’ll do unbelievable.”
Although Mayweather’s representatives still were holding out hope the Pacquiao fight could be salvaged, Mayweather also is expected to fight March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, which would have been the site of his bout with Pacquiao. Paulie Malignaggi has been the most popular contender for that fight.
Although Clottey has no fraction of Mayweather’s fame, he’s a worthy welterweight opponent for Pacquiao, widely considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The hard-hitting Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs), a native of Ghana who lives in New York, is coming off a split-decision loss to Miguel Cotto last June, a fight that some felt Clottey won.
Cotto went on to take a thrashing from Pacquiao in November, losing when the fight was stopped in the final round.
AP Boxing Writer Tim Dahlberg contributed to this report.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Pacquiao may have found replacement for Mayweather
Pacquiao may have found replacement for Mayweather
Fighter's camp now focusing on welterweight Joshua Clottey, but negotiations may -- or may not -- continue in an effort to stage bout with Mayweather.
Manny Pacquiao, left, and his promoter might be done negotiating with Floyd Mayweather Jr., clearing the way for a potential bout with welterweight Joshua Clottey, right. (Photos by Getty Images and US Presswire)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still pushing for a mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao, but key people around Pacquiao said Friday the Filipino star fighter's focus has shifted to a replacement foe, Joshua Clottey.
"If you concede to whatever Mayweather wants, that's giving him an edge," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Friday. "We're bigger than Mayweather. We don't need him. We don't work for him.
"So, the way I feel now, we'll go fight Clottey, then we'll fight the winner of [Shane] Mosley and [Andre] Berto."
Welterweight Clottey (35-3) lost a close 2009 fight to Miguel Cotto, who was subsequently defeated by Pacquiao via a 12th-round technical knockout in November. "It'll be a tough fight, not an easy fight, but better than some of the other names that were being thrown around," Roach said.
Behind the scenes, however, there is still movement in the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps to try to bridge the dividing line in their negotiations over when pre-fight random blood tests for performance-enhancing drugs should stop.
Pacquiao agreed to a blood test 24 days before a Mayweather bout planned for March 13 in Las Vegas, and another sample immediately after the bout. Mayweather wants the final blood test to come 14 days before the fight. "Isn't that reasonable?" asked Mayweather promoter, Richard Schaefer.
And Clottey, one Pacquiao confidant admitted, is a high-risk, low-dollar fight.
So there is a push to pitch Mayweather's blood test plan to Pacquiao once more before he arrives back in the U.S. to begin training Monday at Roach's Hollywood gym. Roach also said, "Mayweather can still say he's OK with the 24 days, and the fight's back on, right?"
That's not the case, according to Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum. "We have moved on. We don't want to talk about Mayweather anymore until the fall."
Schaefer is urging Mayweather-Pacquiao talks to continue, admitting a deal needs to be struck soon because of training schedules. Schaefer said, "the fight is so publicized, and being asked for by the public that it doesn't need our usual promotional push."
Arum's response: "He wants talks to continue. Who is he going to be talking to?"
Manny Pacquiao, left, and his promoter might be done negotiating with Floyd Mayweather Jr., clearing the way for a potential bout with welterweight Joshua Clottey, right. (Photos by Getty Images and US Presswire)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still pushing for a mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao, but key people around Pacquiao said Friday the Filipino star fighter's focus has shifted to a replacement foe, Joshua Clottey.
"If you concede to whatever Mayweather wants, that's giving him an edge," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Friday. "We're bigger than Mayweather. We don't need him. We don't work for him.
"So, the way I feel now, we'll go fight Clottey, then we'll fight the winner of [Shane] Mosley and [Andre] Berto."
Welterweight Clottey (35-3) lost a close 2009 fight to Miguel Cotto, who was subsequently defeated by Pacquiao via a 12th-round technical knockout in November. "It'll be a tough fight, not an easy fight, but better than some of the other names that were being thrown around," Roach said.
Behind the scenes, however, there is still movement in the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps to try to bridge the dividing line in their negotiations over when pre-fight random blood tests for performance-enhancing drugs should stop.
Pacquiao agreed to a blood test 24 days before a Mayweather bout planned for March 13 in Las Vegas, and another sample immediately after the bout. Mayweather wants the final blood test to come 14 days before the fight. "Isn't that reasonable?" asked Mayweather promoter, Richard Schaefer.
And Clottey, one Pacquiao confidant admitted, is a high-risk, low-dollar fight.
So there is a push to pitch Mayweather's blood test plan to Pacquiao once more before he arrives back in the U.S. to begin training Monday at Roach's Hollywood gym. Roach also said, "Mayweather can still say he's OK with the 24 days, and the fight's back on, right?"
That's not the case, according to Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum. "We have moved on. We don't want to talk about Mayweather anymore until the fall."
Schaefer is urging Mayweather-Pacquiao talks to continue, admitting a deal needs to be struck soon because of training schedules. Schaefer said, "the fight is so publicized, and being asked for by the public that it doesn't need our usual promotional push."
Arum's response: "He wants talks to continue. Who is he going to be talking to?"
Mayweather camp not giving up on superfight
Mayweather camp not giving up on superfight
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer was desperately trying to reignite talks Friday to salvage the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight even as Pacquiao’s chief adviser said the Filipino superstar is “hours away” from signing a contract to fight Joshua Clottey.
Since the start of negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight began in mid-November, Mayweather demanded random, Olympic-style drug testing administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which would have meant that both fighters were subject to random blood and urine testing up to and including the day before the proposed March 13 fight. Pacquiao rejected the offer, agreeing to unlimited urine tests but demanding that any blood tests be cut off no later than 30 days before the fight.
More From Kevin Iole
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer was desperately trying to reignite talks Friday to salvage the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight even as Pacquiao’s chief adviser said the Filipino superstar is “hours away” from signing a contract to fight Joshua Clottey.
Since the start of negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight began in mid-November, Mayweather demanded random, Olympic-style drug testing administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which would have meant that both fighters were subject to random blood and urine testing up to and including the day before the proposed March 13 fight. Pacquiao rejected the offer, agreeing to unlimited urine tests but demanding that any blood tests be cut off no later than 30 days before the fight.
More From Kevin Iole
The sides had quickly agreed on most points in the negotiations and the drug-testing dispute has been the only sticking point in the last month in an attempt to make the bout between the men widely regarded as the top two fighters in the world.
The highly anticipated bout seemed to be going down the drain Friday afternoon as Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz told Yahoo! Sports by telephone from the Philippines that “we’ve moved on and are getting ready to sign a contract to fight Clottey.”
Schaefer, whose company is representing Mayweather in the talks, said Friday he isn’t sure Pacquiao is aware that Mayweather agreed to cut off testing 14 days before the fight and to have it administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Bruce Binkow, the chief marketing officer of Golden Boy Promotions, on Dec. 30 offered a 14-day cutoff as a compromise via instant message to Top Rank president Todd duBoef, who replied on Dec. 31 that “14 is no good.”
Schaefer said he believes the fight can be salvaged over the weekend and the first step is making certain that Pacquiao is aware of Mayweather’s 14-day offer. “There are reports [on the Internet] that Manny is not aware of this and we want to make certain that he knows what Floyd has agreed to do,” Schaefer said.
However, Koncz said he was informed of the offer by promoter Bob Arum and that he brought it directly to Pacquiao, who would not even consider it. Koncz said Pacquiao was very firm in his decision.
“Bob called and told us about the 14 days and I brought that to Manny and he said, ‘I told you, we’re not agreeing to that,’ and that was pretty much it,” Koncz said.
Schaefer called Mayweather’s offer “a very fair, very reasonable compromise solution” and said Mayweather is still eager to fight Pacquiao on March 13. Both Schaefer and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe have denied speaking to any potential other opponents, though Mayweather has been linked through numerous published reports with Paulie Malignaggi.
“We’ve focused solely on getting a fight done with Manny Pacquiao and that’s it,” Ellerbe said.
But Arum said he contacted MGM Grand officials about staging a Pacquiao-Clottey fight in its arena on that date and said he was told the MGM was holding it for a Mayweather-Malignaggi fight. Arum said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is sending his private plane to Las Vegas on Saturday to pick up he and duBoef to bring them to Dallas, where they will attend the Cowboys’ playoff game with the Philadelphia Eagles and discuss staging the March 13 bout in Cowboys Stadium.
Schaefer, though, said he hoped he could revive talks over the weekend because he feels a deal is reachable. Arum scoffed at the talk and said no one from Mayweather’s side had contacted anyone from Top Rank on Friday with the idea of reopening talks.
It is too important for the sport, Schaefer said, to exhaust all possibilities before moving on to other options.
“It would be a disservice to boxing to consider any other names when we still have a few days where we could come to a deal,” Schaefer said. “We still do have a few days here and I’m hopeful it won’t take Manny Pacquiao a few days to respond. We’re ready to split this in the middle and other than this, everything else is ready to go.”
Ellerbe said the drug-testing procedure will be a part of every fight Mayweather is involved in for the rest of his career.
That will likely make it impossible to resurrect talks for a fight with Pacquiao in the fall. Koncz said Pacquiao made several major concessions, such as agreeing for the fight to be called “Mayweather-Pacquiao” in the U.S. instead of the other way around, that he won’t make if negotiations are reopened for a fight later in the year.
“Manny would be willing to fight Mayweather, but the tenor of negotiations would be a lot different in the future,” Koncz said. “Manny was very accommodating before, because he wanted to get this fight done and to satisfy the fans, who wanted it very much. Billing is important to Manny, but he gave that up to accommodate Mayweather’s ego because [Manny] wants to go out as the best fighter there ever was and, clearly, Mayweather is one of the best.
“But given what happened, Manny won’t make those concessions if they come back to us.”
Dr. Don H. Catlin, the head of the Los Angeles-based non-profit Anti-Doping Research, Inc., said a 24-day cutoff for blood testing is not sufficient to prevent abuse. One of the concerns with such a long blood-testing cutoff prior to the date of competition would be the potential use of Erythropoietin, or EPO.
But Catlin said that wouldn’t be the only concern if there were a 24-day cutoff imposed.
“If you have a 24-day window that’s free, with no testing, you can take whatever you want and you’re not going to get caught, end of story,” Catlin said. “[Urine testing] does matter, yes, but they’re not going to catch everything by urine testing alone. What you would do is to take Mircera [a type of EPO], which is available and which is not easy to detect in urine and away you go. You need a blood test.”
Arum said he understands that commissions may request additional testing of Pacquiao in the future because of the controversy raised during talks for a Mayweather fight, but he said neither he nor Pacquiao would have an issue with it.
Arum said an athletic commission would treat the fighters properly. Pacquiao believes he’ll be weakened by giving blood too close to an event. And while there is no medical evidence to back his claim, it could harm him psychologically.
“It’s the commission and if you have confidence in the commission, you will agree to abide by whatever they request,” Arum said. “But you know they’ll take the phobia of the fighters, and so forth, into account whenever they order what tests they deem appropriate.”
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Boxing blows chance at renewed relevance
Boxing blows chance at renewed relevance
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports
No one is blameless in the breakdown of the proposed Mayweather-Pacquiao bout.
(Alastair Grant and Rick Bowmer/AP)
Follow Martin Rogers on Twitter at @mrogersyahoo
This was supposed to be the fight that made it all OK. The one that promised to sweep all of boxing’s ills under the carpet. The one where all the nonsense and corruption and hyperbole and alphabet straps and endless politicking was forgotten, because at long, long last, for one blockbuster night, boxing was going to get it right.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao would have been a generational contest, one which for once there could never be enough hype and which would have decided beyond doubt the greatest boxer of modern times.
More From Martin Rogers
Nevada orders testing for Mayweather, Pacquiao Dec 28, 2009
Breaking point for Pacquiao-Mayweather? Dec 27, 2009
ADVERTISEMENT
Its collapse on Wednesday night, following weeks of negotiating hooks and jabs, and even a desperate final round of talks refereed by a former judge, was the end of more than just a fight.
It was the bout boxing craved, the best two pugilists on the planet, a monumental event to compare with anything 2010 had to offer, Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, World Cup, World Series included.
No one is blameless in this sorry saga, not Mayweather nor Pacquiao nor any of their advisors. Egos, pride and self-importance got in the way of something special and exposed so many of boxing’s self-inflicted failings in the process.
Sadly, it is those of us who love this sport, warts and all, despite its challenges and problems and fall from grace in the sporting conscience, who will be most hurt by the demise of the match-up that promised so much.
Perhaps the men who are game to step into the ring in this brutal yet intoxicating profession have no responsibility other than to themselves and their own welfare.
Yet giving something back to boxing would hardly have been such a wrenching sacrifice for Mayweather and Pacquiao, not with $40 million each to sweeten the pot.
Instead, the parties conspired to shoot themselves in the foot. Negotiations quickly turned into open warfare, as much about posturing in the media and swaying public opinion than making any meaningful progress. The issue of drug testing created a rift that no one was willing to compromise on, at least not to any level that could realistically allow them to meet in the middle.
It is not a tragedy for boxing – there is only one morbid situation that qualifies for that description – but it is a travesty, a monumental setback which will pick at the seams of the sport’s credibility.
What a sick irony that for all the avarice that has often consumed boxing, one of its darkest hours arose from the willingness of Mayweather and Pacquiao to walk away from such mind-boggling paychecks.
Accusations will undoubtedly fly backwards and forwards over the coming weeks, yet the fact is that both sides could have done more, if they were as committed to the contest as they claimed. As a result, both men will lose out on more than they realize right now. For each, the fight that should have taken place on March 13 was the definitive chance to cement a legacy of greatness.
Now it is highly feasible that we will never know how good they really are, as they were prepared to discard the chance at a special place in history without as much as a punch thrown. According to his promoter, Bob Arum, Pacquiao is likely to move forwards with a bout against junior middleweight Yuri Foreman, in search of his eighth world title in different divisions.
Mayweather is looking at squaring off with Paulie Malignaggi. If not for the events of the past couple of months, then either fight would have some kind of merit.
As it is, it is virtually impossible to raise any interest. Boxing faces a long and tough battle to drag itself up off the canvas, and it won’t be done by contrived matches such as these.
The sweet science weeps just now, not for what it lost, but for what it might have had.
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports
No one is blameless in the breakdown of the proposed Mayweather-Pacquiao bout.
(Alastair Grant and Rick Bowmer/AP)
Follow Martin Rogers on Twitter at @mrogersyahoo
This was supposed to be the fight that made it all OK. The one that promised to sweep all of boxing’s ills under the carpet. The one where all the nonsense and corruption and hyperbole and alphabet straps and endless politicking was forgotten, because at long, long last, for one blockbuster night, boxing was going to get it right.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao would have been a generational contest, one which for once there could never be enough hype and which would have decided beyond doubt the greatest boxer of modern times.
More From Martin Rogers
Nevada orders testing for Mayweather, Pacquiao Dec 28, 2009
Breaking point for Pacquiao-Mayweather? Dec 27, 2009
ADVERTISEMENT
Its collapse on Wednesday night, following weeks of negotiating hooks and jabs, and even a desperate final round of talks refereed by a former judge, was the end of more than just a fight.
It was the bout boxing craved, the best two pugilists on the planet, a monumental event to compare with anything 2010 had to offer, Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, World Cup, World Series included.
No one is blameless in this sorry saga, not Mayweather nor Pacquiao nor any of their advisors. Egos, pride and self-importance got in the way of something special and exposed so many of boxing’s self-inflicted failings in the process.
Sadly, it is those of us who love this sport, warts and all, despite its challenges and problems and fall from grace in the sporting conscience, who will be most hurt by the demise of the match-up that promised so much.
Perhaps the men who are game to step into the ring in this brutal yet intoxicating profession have no responsibility other than to themselves and their own welfare.
Yet giving something back to boxing would hardly have been such a wrenching sacrifice for Mayweather and Pacquiao, not with $40 million each to sweeten the pot.
Instead, the parties conspired to shoot themselves in the foot. Negotiations quickly turned into open warfare, as much about posturing in the media and swaying public opinion than making any meaningful progress. The issue of drug testing created a rift that no one was willing to compromise on, at least not to any level that could realistically allow them to meet in the middle.
It is not a tragedy for boxing – there is only one morbid situation that qualifies for that description – but it is a travesty, a monumental setback which will pick at the seams of the sport’s credibility.
What a sick irony that for all the avarice that has often consumed boxing, one of its darkest hours arose from the willingness of Mayweather and Pacquiao to walk away from such mind-boggling paychecks.
Accusations will undoubtedly fly backwards and forwards over the coming weeks, yet the fact is that both sides could have done more, if they were as committed to the contest as they claimed. As a result, both men will lose out on more than they realize right now. For each, the fight that should have taken place on March 13 was the definitive chance to cement a legacy of greatness.
Now it is highly feasible that we will never know how good they really are, as they were prepared to discard the chance at a special place in history without as much as a punch thrown. According to his promoter, Bob Arum, Pacquiao is likely to move forwards with a bout against junior middleweight Yuri Foreman, in search of his eighth world title in different divisions.
Mayweather is looking at squaring off with Paulie Malignaggi. If not for the events of the past couple of months, then either fight would have some kind of merit.
As it is, it is virtually impossible to raise any interest. Boxing faces a long and tough battle to drag itself up off the canvas, and it won’t be done by contrived matches such as these.
The sweet science weeps just now, not for what it lost, but for what it might have had.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Pacquiao-Mayweather: Weinstein to the rescue
Pacquiao-Mayweather: Weinstein to the rescue
Posted Jan. 4, 2010 at 03:41pm
By Michael Rosenthal
Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, the biggest promoters in boxing, were at each others’ throats. Lawsuits were involved. Nasty, counterproductive comments flew back and forth. And the acrimony prevented them from doing business.
That was 2007, when the companies were unable to resolve disputes over promotional rights for Manny Pacquiao and other issues.
In stepped a court-ordered mediator, retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein. The sides emerged from two weeks of mediation with a resolution to their conflicts and the ability to work together on some of the biggest fights of the past few years.
Now, as we enter 2010, Top Rank and Golden Boy –- as well as their charges, Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. -– are in a similar position. An impasse over blood testing and a law suit alleging defamation have threatened to scuttle a March 13 super fight, which both sides obviously want to save.
So who ya gonna call? Weinstein, of course.
The fighters’ representatives and Weinstein are scheduled to meet on Tuesday at the mediator’s office in Santa Monica, Calif., which apparently is the last -- and best -- opportunity to get the fight made after weeks of insanity.
The guess here is that Weinstein will succeed again for several reasons.
One, the fact the sides agreed to go to a mediator is clear evidence that they desperately want to make the fight, which most experts believe will be the richest in the history of the sport. That kind of determination -- and motivation -- usually leads to a resolution.
Two, they (Top Rank and Golden Boy) believe in Weinstein and mediation.
"(Weinstein) played a very instrumental role," Schaefer told ESPN.com immediately after the earlier disputes were resolved. "If not for him, I don't think we could have done this. He really took ownership of the case and understood how delicate it was."
Said Arum, "Anybody who tells somebody not to use a mediator in this kind of situation is out of their mind. This guy was tremendous in getting both of us to realize how destructive our conduct was and how productive it would be to work together. You need a guy like that to mediate the dispute and see the broader picture."
Three, Pacquiao and Mayweather don’t have immediate alternatives that compare to a fight against one another. They, through their handlers, have promised in anger to write off the fight and move on. Move on to what, though? Paulie Malignaggi? Yuri Foreman? Matthew Hatton?
That’s like passing on the Super Bowl and playing an exhibition game. Pacquiao and Mayweather need each other and they know it.
And, four, they’re already close to an agreement. Pacquiao seemed to be amenable to random blood testing as long as the sides agreed to a cutoff date that isn’t too close to the fight. Then, suddenly, the Pacquiao side declared that the Nevada State Athletic Commission would handle the testing … end of discussion.
Guess what happened: End of discussion. Negotiations seemed to hit a wall at that point.
So here we are, in Weinstein’s capable hands. I believe he will zero in on the cutoff date for random testing and build a final agreement from there.
Of course, there are no guarantees mediation will work this time because egos have a way of overwhelming common sense.
For example, assuming the law suit is an obstacle to making the fight, Pacquiao will probably agree to drop it only if Mayweather and Co. publicly apologize for falsely suggesting that he has used performance-enhancing drugs. Mayweather and Co. would probably agree to do so in some form but we don’t know whether they would go far enough to satisfy Pacquiao.
And, who knows, maybe Pacquiao and Mayweather are too entrenched in their positions on random testing that they will fail to find common ground. Neither side wants to be seen as giving in, at least not to a great degree.
I don’t see that happening, though. Again, the fighters and their representatives have refused to give up on the fight through bitter negotiations and agreed to mediation for a reason -– they want it to happen. And, frankly, I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t.
A celebration is just around the corner.
Posted Jan. 4, 2010 at 03:41pm
By Michael Rosenthal
Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, the biggest promoters in boxing, were at each others’ throats. Lawsuits were involved. Nasty, counterproductive comments flew back and forth. And the acrimony prevented them from doing business.
That was 2007, when the companies were unable to resolve disputes over promotional rights for Manny Pacquiao and other issues.
In stepped a court-ordered mediator, retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein. The sides emerged from two weeks of mediation with a resolution to their conflicts and the ability to work together on some of the biggest fights of the past few years.
Now, as we enter 2010, Top Rank and Golden Boy –- as well as their charges, Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. -– are in a similar position. An impasse over blood testing and a law suit alleging defamation have threatened to scuttle a March 13 super fight, which both sides obviously want to save.
So who ya gonna call? Weinstein, of course.
The fighters’ representatives and Weinstein are scheduled to meet on Tuesday at the mediator’s office in Santa Monica, Calif., which apparently is the last -- and best -- opportunity to get the fight made after weeks of insanity.
The guess here is that Weinstein will succeed again for several reasons.
One, the fact the sides agreed to go to a mediator is clear evidence that they desperately want to make the fight, which most experts believe will be the richest in the history of the sport. That kind of determination -- and motivation -- usually leads to a resolution.
Two, they (Top Rank and Golden Boy) believe in Weinstein and mediation.
"(Weinstein) played a very instrumental role," Schaefer told ESPN.com immediately after the earlier disputes were resolved. "If not for him, I don't think we could have done this. He really took ownership of the case and understood how delicate it was."
Said Arum, "Anybody who tells somebody not to use a mediator in this kind of situation is out of their mind. This guy was tremendous in getting both of us to realize how destructive our conduct was and how productive it would be to work together. You need a guy like that to mediate the dispute and see the broader picture."
Three, Pacquiao and Mayweather don’t have immediate alternatives that compare to a fight against one another. They, through their handlers, have promised in anger to write off the fight and move on. Move on to what, though? Paulie Malignaggi? Yuri Foreman? Matthew Hatton?
That’s like passing on the Super Bowl and playing an exhibition game. Pacquiao and Mayweather need each other and they know it.
And, four, they’re already close to an agreement. Pacquiao seemed to be amenable to random blood testing as long as the sides agreed to a cutoff date that isn’t too close to the fight. Then, suddenly, the Pacquiao side declared that the Nevada State Athletic Commission would handle the testing … end of discussion.
Guess what happened: End of discussion. Negotiations seemed to hit a wall at that point.
So here we are, in Weinstein’s capable hands. I believe he will zero in on the cutoff date for random testing and build a final agreement from there.
Of course, there are no guarantees mediation will work this time because egos have a way of overwhelming common sense.
For example, assuming the law suit is an obstacle to making the fight, Pacquiao will probably agree to drop it only if Mayweather and Co. publicly apologize for falsely suggesting that he has used performance-enhancing drugs. Mayweather and Co. would probably agree to do so in some form but we don’t know whether they would go far enough to satisfy Pacquiao.
And, who knows, maybe Pacquiao and Mayweather are too entrenched in their positions on random testing that they will fail to find common ground. Neither side wants to be seen as giving in, at least not to a great degree.
I don’t see that happening, though. Again, the fighters and their representatives have refused to give up on the fight through bitter negotiations and agreed to mediation for a reason -– they want it to happen. And, frankly, I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t.
A celebration is just around the corner.
Reps for Pacquiao, Mayweather mum on mediation day
Reps for Pacquiao, Mayweather mum on mediation day
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES(AP)—Representatives for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. wrapped up a lengthy mediation session Tuesday night with no word on any progress on the drug-testing issues endangering the boxers’ prospective March 13 bout.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum and Mayweather’s promotional team all said they had been told to make no public comments after their meeting in Santa Monica. The mediation finished nearly nine hours after it began in front of Daniel Weinstein, a retired federal judge.ADVERTISEMENT
Arum’s Top Rank and Mayweather’s representatives at Golden Boy Promotions agreed to the mediation in an effort to resolve their dispute over the methods and frequency of drug testing for the bout, which will be held at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas if a compromise is reached.
Although both fighters have agreed to extensive urine testing, Mayweather has demanded random blood testing as well. Pacquiao has balked at unlimited blood testing, instead proposing two blood tests before the fight and another immediately afterward.
Pacquiao also complicated the negotiations by filing a lawsuit last week alleging Mayweather and most of his camp’s key players defamed him by falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Neither side would say whether more mediation will be held Wednesday, but the length of Tuesday’s meeting appeared to be a positive development for the potential fight. If little progress could be made, the session likely would have been scrapped early, with the sport’s top two fighters moving on to replacement bouts instead of meeting in what’s expected to be the richest fight in boxing history.
After impressive pay-per-view numbers in their most recent bouts last year, both fighters stand to make more than $25 million in their welterweight meeting. Except for drug testing, the camps have settled every significant detail of the fight, according to Arum and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer.
If the fight falls through, Pacquiao is expected to attempt to win a title in a record eighth weight division with a bout against 154-pound champion Yuri Foreman in Las Vegas on March 20, while Mayweather could fight former 140-pound champion Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand on March 13.
Boxing’s two most prominent promotional companies have appeared before Weinstein in the past, including a session in 2007 in which they resolved the promotional rights to Pacquiao, who had deals with both companies at one point.
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES(AP)—Representatives for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. wrapped up a lengthy mediation session Tuesday night with no word on any progress on the drug-testing issues endangering the boxers’ prospective March 13 bout.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum and Mayweather’s promotional team all said they had been told to make no public comments after their meeting in Santa Monica. The mediation finished nearly nine hours after it began in front of Daniel Weinstein, a retired federal judge.ADVERTISEMENT
Arum’s Top Rank and Mayweather’s representatives at Golden Boy Promotions agreed to the mediation in an effort to resolve their dispute over the methods and frequency of drug testing for the bout, which will be held at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas if a compromise is reached.
Although both fighters have agreed to extensive urine testing, Mayweather has demanded random blood testing as well. Pacquiao has balked at unlimited blood testing, instead proposing two blood tests before the fight and another immediately afterward.
Pacquiao also complicated the negotiations by filing a lawsuit last week alleging Mayweather and most of his camp’s key players defamed him by falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Neither side would say whether more mediation will be held Wednesday, but the length of Tuesday’s meeting appeared to be a positive development for the potential fight. If little progress could be made, the session likely would have been scrapped early, with the sport’s top two fighters moving on to replacement bouts instead of meeting in what’s expected to be the richest fight in boxing history.
After impressive pay-per-view numbers in their most recent bouts last year, both fighters stand to make more than $25 million in their welterweight meeting. Except for drug testing, the camps have settled every significant detail of the fight, according to Arum and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer.
If the fight falls through, Pacquiao is expected to attempt to win a title in a record eighth weight division with a bout against 154-pound champion Yuri Foreman in Las Vegas on March 20, while Mayweather could fight former 140-pound champion Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand on March 13.
Boxing’s two most prominent promotional companies have appeared before Weinstein in the past, including a session in 2007 in which they resolved the promotional rights to Pacquiao, who had deals with both companies at one point.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Fight dispute headed for mediation
Fight dispute headed for mediation
LAS VEGAS(AP) —Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are going to mediation to try and salvage their March 13 fight.
Representatives of the two fighters will meet Tuesday with a California mediator in an effort to reach agreement on blood testing issues that have threatened to derail the fight. The mediation comes after two weeks of talks on the issue.
The mediator, retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein, was used by promoters for both fighters three years ago to resolve a dispute over promotional rights to Pacquiao.
Lee Samuels, a spokesman for Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, confirmed that Arum will be in Santa Monica, Calif., for the talks.
LAS VEGAS(AP) —Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are going to mediation to try and salvage their March 13 fight.
Representatives of the two fighters will meet Tuesday with a California mediator in an effort to reach agreement on blood testing issues that have threatened to derail the fight. The mediation comes after two weeks of talks on the issue.
The mediator, retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein, was used by promoters for both fighters three years ago to resolve a dispute over promotional rights to Pacquiao.
Lee Samuels, a spokesman for Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, confirmed that Arum will be in Santa Monica, Calif., for the talks.
New hope for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
THE RING BLOG
Weekend Review: New hope for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
Posted Jan. 4, 2010 at 10:55am
By Michael RosenthalBuzz up!
MOST-PROMISING NEWS
Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mediation: The fighters have agreed to take their differences to mediation on Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., which provides hope that their tentative super fight can be saved. I suspect mediator Daniel Weinstein, a retired federal judge, will help guide representatives of the stubborn fighters to a fair compromise. We can only hope that they follow his lead and finally get over the blood-testing hurdle that has threatened to destroy the fight. Weinstein already has helped Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions – the promoters of Pacquiao and Mayweather -- overcome differences so they could work together on big fights.
MOST OPTIMISTIC
Me: I’m not going to believe the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is off until an official announcement to that effect is made. The fighters and their handlers have tremendous motivation to explore all possible compromises before pulling the plug, namely a projected record amount of money to be made. And now they have Weinstein to play referee in the unseemly game they’ve been playing the past few weeks. I expect an announcement as soon Wednesday that the fight will take place as scheduled, on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
WORST OPPONENT
Matthew Hatton: The brother of Ricky Hatton is reportedly being considered as an opponent for Mayweather if the Pacquiao fight isn’t made. Nothing against Hatton, who is a decent fighter and a nice bloke but … MATTHEW HATTON? The thinking might be that Mayweather needs a safe opponent while he seeks out a serious opponent for later in the year. That makes some sense. Hatton is much TOO safe, though. After all, Ricky is much better than his younger brother and Mayweather knocked his head off. Mayweather-Matthew Hatton is a slaughter waiting to happen. The No. 2 fighter in the world, already perceived by some as reluctant to fight the best, can do better than that.
BETTER OPPONENT
Paulie Malignaggi: The talkative New Yorker, also apparently under consideration to fight Mayweather, doesn't have the right style to beat Mayweather. In a way, he's a poor man's Mayweather with much-less power. Still, Malignaggi is capable enough -- particularly in his latest carnation -- to frustrate Mayweather at times. It could be an interesting tactical fight. Or, frankly, it would be incredibly boring if the fighters become too careful.
NOT-THE-WORST OPPONENT
Yuri Foreman: Hold your ridicule for a moment. I agree; Pacquiao is far more talented than his prospective opponent and would probably take him out. That said, Foreman might not be quite the pushover everyone will assume him to be if he ends up fighting the pound-for-pound king. First, he’s a legitimate junior middleweight, making him yet another step up in weight for a once-tiny Pacquiao. And, second, the new titleholder from Israel is a very good boxer. He dominated a somewhat-faded but still-capable Daniel Santos to win his title. One thing working against Foreman is his lack of power, which could be what would lead to his demise.
MOST DISTURBING
Evander Holyfield vs. Francois Botha: Evander Holyfield has long said his goal is to become the undisputed heavyweight champion again and probably isn’t giving up – even at an ancient 47. Or maybe it’s all about money at this point. Or just love of the sport. A part of me understands that he has his motivations, whatever they are; a larger part of me is saddened that one of the greatest warriors in boxing history feels compelled to fight far beyond his prime. I guess the one saving grace here is that Botha, 41 and never an outstanding fighter, is unlikely to hurt the former four-time heavyweight champion. They meet on Feb. 20 in Kampala, Uganda. A crowd of 80,000 gawkers is expected.
MOST MEANINGLESS
WBF heavyweight title: Holyfield and Botha are fighting for something called the World Boxing Foundation heavyweight title. Now, I don’t want to be too hard on the little Australia-based sanctioning body but having Botha as your reigning “champion” doesn’t do much for your credibility. The last time Botha beat a legitimate contender was … well, he never has. His only noteworthy victory was a split decision over Axel Schulz in 1995 that was overturned after Botha tested positive for steroids. And, if Holyfield wins, the new “champ” would be 47. That isn’t going to lift you to the level of the major sanctioning bodies … although, that might not be so bad.
SADDEST NEWS
The death of Miguel Cotto Sr.: The father of Miguel Cotto reportedly died of a heart attack on Sunday in Puerto Rico. He was 57. The elder Cotto apparently suffered from heart disease and asthma for years. The last time we saw Cotto Sr. in public he tried to save his son from further punishment against Pacquiao in November. The two obviously were very close.
BEST QUOTE
Evander Holyfield, speaking to the Associated Press: “I am going to win and I will cherish the WBF world title.” Ugh.
Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com
Weekend Review: New hope for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
Posted Jan. 4, 2010 at 10:55am
By Michael RosenthalBuzz up!
MOST-PROMISING NEWS
Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mediation: The fighters have agreed to take their differences to mediation on Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., which provides hope that their tentative super fight can be saved. I suspect mediator Daniel Weinstein, a retired federal judge, will help guide representatives of the stubborn fighters to a fair compromise. We can only hope that they follow his lead and finally get over the blood-testing hurdle that has threatened to destroy the fight. Weinstein already has helped Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions – the promoters of Pacquiao and Mayweather -- overcome differences so they could work together on big fights.
MOST OPTIMISTIC
Me: I’m not going to believe the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is off until an official announcement to that effect is made. The fighters and their handlers have tremendous motivation to explore all possible compromises before pulling the plug, namely a projected record amount of money to be made. And now they have Weinstein to play referee in the unseemly game they’ve been playing the past few weeks. I expect an announcement as soon Wednesday that the fight will take place as scheduled, on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
WORST OPPONENT
Matthew Hatton: The brother of Ricky Hatton is reportedly being considered as an opponent for Mayweather if the Pacquiao fight isn’t made. Nothing against Hatton, who is a decent fighter and a nice bloke but … MATTHEW HATTON? The thinking might be that Mayweather needs a safe opponent while he seeks out a serious opponent for later in the year. That makes some sense. Hatton is much TOO safe, though. After all, Ricky is much better than his younger brother and Mayweather knocked his head off. Mayweather-Matthew Hatton is a slaughter waiting to happen. The No. 2 fighter in the world, already perceived by some as reluctant to fight the best, can do better than that.
BETTER OPPONENT
Paulie Malignaggi: The talkative New Yorker, also apparently under consideration to fight Mayweather, doesn't have the right style to beat Mayweather. In a way, he's a poor man's Mayweather with much-less power. Still, Malignaggi is capable enough -- particularly in his latest carnation -- to frustrate Mayweather at times. It could be an interesting tactical fight. Or, frankly, it would be incredibly boring if the fighters become too careful.
NOT-THE-WORST OPPONENT
Yuri Foreman: Hold your ridicule for a moment. I agree; Pacquiao is far more talented than his prospective opponent and would probably take him out. That said, Foreman might not be quite the pushover everyone will assume him to be if he ends up fighting the pound-for-pound king. First, he’s a legitimate junior middleweight, making him yet another step up in weight for a once-tiny Pacquiao. And, second, the new titleholder from Israel is a very good boxer. He dominated a somewhat-faded but still-capable Daniel Santos to win his title. One thing working against Foreman is his lack of power, which could be what would lead to his demise.
MOST DISTURBING
Evander Holyfield vs. Francois Botha: Evander Holyfield has long said his goal is to become the undisputed heavyweight champion again and probably isn’t giving up – even at an ancient 47. Or maybe it’s all about money at this point. Or just love of the sport. A part of me understands that he has his motivations, whatever they are; a larger part of me is saddened that one of the greatest warriors in boxing history feels compelled to fight far beyond his prime. I guess the one saving grace here is that Botha, 41 and never an outstanding fighter, is unlikely to hurt the former four-time heavyweight champion. They meet on Feb. 20 in Kampala, Uganda. A crowd of 80,000 gawkers is expected.
MOST MEANINGLESS
WBF heavyweight title: Holyfield and Botha are fighting for something called the World Boxing Foundation heavyweight title. Now, I don’t want to be too hard on the little Australia-based sanctioning body but having Botha as your reigning “champion” doesn’t do much for your credibility. The last time Botha beat a legitimate contender was … well, he never has. His only noteworthy victory was a split decision over Axel Schulz in 1995 that was overturned after Botha tested positive for steroids. And, if Holyfield wins, the new “champ” would be 47. That isn’t going to lift you to the level of the major sanctioning bodies … although, that might not be so bad.
SADDEST NEWS
The death of Miguel Cotto Sr.: The father of Miguel Cotto reportedly died of a heart attack on Sunday in Puerto Rico. He was 57. The elder Cotto apparently suffered from heart disease and asthma for years. The last time we saw Cotto Sr. in public he tried to save his son from further punishment against Pacquiao in November. The two obviously were very close.
BEST QUOTE
Evander Holyfield, speaking to the Associated Press: “I am going to win and I will cherish the WBF world title.” Ugh.
Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 3, 2010
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