Arum told us that he is “getting rave reviews on his (Pacquiao’s) performance in the gym and everybody is saying they can’t believe how great he’s looking.”

The astute promoter said “everything is excellent” in terms of the Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey WBO title defense of the Filipino hero at the $1.2 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 13 as well as the “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13” fight card on Sunday, February 14, Manila Time.

Arum said all the fighters on the card which showcases five promising Filipinos against Latino counterparts. He said “all the fighters are in good shape. All the fighters are confident and they are all coming to win” which has stirred a lot of interest both among the Filipino fans and their Hispanic counterparts.

The fights will be telecast in the Philippines by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN over its pre-eminent Channel 2 at 10:30 a.m. with a replay over Studio 23 at 8:30 p.m. It will also be telecast globally to Filipinos abroad on The Filipino Channel TFC which is widely followed.

Meantime, Oscar De La Hoya continues to ignore the call of respected, award-winning boxing writer and lawyer Thomas Hauser to sign a waiver that would allow the Nevada State Athletic Commission to release the results of drug tests conducted on De La Hoya when he was fighting and to allow people associated with the tests to talk publicly.

Arum who was De La Hoya’s promoter has told boxingscene.com he “knows what the history is” adding that Hauser knows exactly what he is alluding to.”

While indicating even in his conversations with us that he was not going to say much about the issue, Arum told boxingscene.com “I know when it happened, how many times it happened. He also pointed out that there was a grace period when they tested fighters for steroids.”

We inquired from the current NSAC executive director Keith Kizer about Floyd Mayweather Jr’s use of the pain-killer Xylocaine which is reportedly banned in 49 US states except Nevada and there was the contention it was the reason Mayweather Jr didn’t want to go to Dallas for a planned showdown with Pacquiao and wanted to fight to be in Las Vegas.

We also inquired whether Nevada would consider banning the drug or will Mayweather be found guilty of drug abuse if he uses Xylocaine. We mentioned the fact that Thomas Hauser insists that De La Hoya needs to sign a waiver for results on his drug tests before your time, to be released. It also involved - he says - the right to talk to people involved for public consumption.

Oscar De La Hoya

“For Oscar to make his comments. Remember I was De La Hoya’s promoter. I know what the history is. When [Thomas] Hauser says “sign the waiver or shut up”, Hauser knows exactly what he is alluding to. I’m not going to say much about it but remember I was De La Hoya’s promoter. I know when it happened and how many times it happened. If you remember there was a grace period that when they tested fighters for steroids.”… Bob Arum, Boxingscene.com

In regards to the grace period that Arum is referring to, I direct you to Thomas Hauser’s comments that sparked the entire De La Hoya waiver signing:

“In 2002, the Nevada State Athletic Commission instituted steroid testing for championship fights, but said that there would be a six-month period during which, absent aggravating circumstances, a fighter who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug would be sent an “educational letter” rather than be penalized.”

Eddie Mitchell Sacramento, CA “Rick, do you think De La Hoya took performance enhancing drugs?” Eddie, I do believe he took something. With both Howard and Arum alluding to this, and De La Hoya refusing to sign a waiver, it makes it hard to believe otherwise. Keep in mind that Bob Arum was Oscar’s promoter; he would know about any failed tests.

However, something that is just as alarming is the fact that Boxing and the NSAC did more to cover up the positive tests than they did to clean it up. Sending out a letter and “educating” a PEDs user is a joke. Suspensions and a public outing should have been the appropriate course. Perhaps, boxing would have fewer problems now if they actually tried to stop it back then.

Floyd Mayweather Jr

Floyd uses Xylocaine which is a controversial drug that’s illegal and banned in some states. Timothy Crane Saramento, CA “Does the NSAC ban Xylocaine?” The NSAC allows fighters to take this drug up to 1 week before the fight. This means, fighters only get in trouble if they take this drug within 1 week of the fight. Once again, if boxing and the NSAC would take harsher stances on this drug then we would have fewer problems and probably one less Mayweather in the sport.

Conclusion

De La Hoya’s refusal to sign a waiver does not equal Manny’s refusal to agree to Mayweather’s timelines. Manny was willing to be tested. Oscar is not willing to cooperate at all. Also, if there are letters of Oscar’s failed drug tests then there’s actual proof unlike with Pacquiao since there’s no tangible evidence but only false accusations. Both Oscar and Floyd are the ones who use drugs yet they are the ones beating the public “drums” in their efforts to accuse Manny of cheating.

It’s sad that we learn more about their hypocrisy then we do about the actual truth of their drug usage. Maybe one day Boxing’s various entities will “step up” and actually regulate their sport.

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Z “The Dream” Gorres is recovering wonderfully well as he continues his therapy following brain surgery after he collapsed in his corner in his November 13 fight at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues.

Gorres scored a rousing ten round unanimous decision over rugged Luis Melendez of Colombia in a fight that tragically ended the career of Gorres who was on the threshold of a world title rematch with WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel.

Dr. Ben Calderon who is one of the leading doctors attending to Gorres said Gorres was doing “very much better” and has “started walking longer and longer with his walker and with less assistance. He is also sitting longer and longer and in a week or two is going to be a totally different person” from the fighter who appeared in dire straits in the emergency room of the University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

Indications are that the attention and affection being shown Gorres by the Filipino community in Las Vegas have contributed a great deal to his recovery.

Dr. Calderon in whose clinic Gorres undergoes daily therapy said they were able to raise almost $4,000 in a fund-raising dinner last Saturday at the Salo-Salo restaurant in an affair organized by the Philippine Medical Association which Dr. Calderon heads and the Philippine Nurses Association in Nevada with support from other different organizations that attended the affair.

According to Dr. Calderon, Gorres resumed his rehab Monday morning and when they had dinner he showed improvement even in the use of his left hand which was much weaker before. He said Gorres was “removing the shell from the giant prawns by himself and was enjoying the food.”

Gorres’ wife Daches has been a tower of strength and indications are that ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who will watch the “Pinoy Power III“ fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13 is likely to remain behind and accompany Gorres and his wife back home towards the end of the month.

Gorres himself will be at ringside to watch his fellow Filipinos in action since Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire was sending Gorres and his wife tickets for the fight and had invited him and Dachess to a nice Valentines’ D ay dinner the following day, February 14.

Is there anything or anyone that can stop Manny Pacquiao these days? It seems like he’s on a winning streak for the ages now with the man who shares arguably the number 1 spot in Boxing’s mythical pound for pound list being afraid to step in the ring with him. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s baseless PED’s accusations and extraordinary stipulations caused the March 13th superfight to fall through. Bob Arum has defended his prized ward very well, and has now turned the tables on Oscar Dela Hoya, calling for the once Golden Boy to “sign the PED waiver”.

“The Pacman” has no time to deal with such cowardice. That is why Manny Pacquiao has moved on and is scheduled to fight against a battle tank in Joshua Clottey in Dallas this March, in a fight dubbed “The Event” because of the sheer magnitude and scale of the entire production, and Floyd Mayweather is still struggling to sign the dotted line on a rumored bout with Sugar Shane Mosley.

For Pacquiao, the fight with the tough Ghanaian will be an even tougher test than his bout with Miguel Cotto. Clottey, who hunches and plods forward in attack mode, will be the largest and strongest fighter Pacquiao will have ever fought. The man has a chin made of granite. Clottey has taken the heaviest punches from the top Welterweights including Cotto and the once feared Antonio Margarito. And there is every indication that he will be able to withstand the power of Pacquiao. Pacquiao will once again have to rely on his speed and boxing ability to break down the warrior Clottey in hopes of a late round KO/stoppage, which is the only way to win against Clottey to send a message to the Mayweather camp.

Clottey on the other hand, will attempt to do what David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto failed to do in their respective bouts with Pacquiao. He will have to overpower Pacquiao and run him over like a ‘battle tank’, imposing his superior size and strength to wear down the Welterweight kingpin. A win for Joshua Clottey could set him up for bigger paydays against his division’s elite, including rematches with both Cotto and Margarito, whom he both lost decisions to. Not to mention the fame and noteriety of being one of the only few people to ever beat Pacquiao.

One man who has, Erik “El Terible” Morales, makes his comeback against Jose Alfaro in Mexico also this March. Morales, who Pacquiao sent to retirement via 3rd round TKO back in 2006, will be competing in the Lightweight division and working his way back up. At 33 years old, Morales attempts to once again discover the fountain of youth that has eluded him for so long, thus losing his last 4 fights. However, one has to wonder if Morales does indeed recapture the form that made him one of the sports most dangerous fighters, he could enter the mix and challenge both Mexican countryman Juan Manuel Marquez, and Pacquiao at the 147 lb. limit. If so, Morales would not have to drop weight so much which is what really piles on the wear and tear in a fighter’s body through the years. This idea has been thrown around a lot but I think Pacquiao would literally kill him at the Welterweight limit. In my opinion, Morales should never be allowed to step in the ring with Pacquiao ever again. At 147 lbs, prime Morales or not, Pacquiao would obliterate him.

Still, Morales is one man Clottey should turn to, at least in tapes as Morales is the only one to ever deal with Pacquiao’s ferociousness straight up, and come away with a victory. Clottey hopes for the same success in March.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is expected to be the highest grossing PPV in the history of boxing if ever the fight will be settled. But due to blood test disputes, it seems that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will remain as a dream forever.

We’ve heard both sides. At first, Team Pacquiao rejected to undergo a series of blood test. Pacquiao’s refusal to the drug test draws controversy so he finally agreed to unlimited urine testing and at least three blood test. The first test is planned early this January, second test is 30 days before the fight, and last test right after the fight. But still, Mayweather’s camp is not satisfied. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said that he wanted to have a blood test done at less than 30 days before the fight because they believed that having a blood test done in 30 days is no longer effective. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum gave them an ultimatum that if they didn’t agree with their final decision it will be the end of their negotiations. Mayweather’s camp is still strong with their stand so Top Rank is negotiating with Yuri Foreman as Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Even though Pacquiao agreed with the blood test, boxing fans all over the world wants to know why Pacquiao wants the blood test to be done in 30 days before the fight. Some suspected that Pacquiao really takes performance-enhancing drugs. Some people also assumed that undergoing a blood test does not really affect boxer’s performance in the fight and some other people even compare it their boxing fight to Olympic games. “Mayweather will undergo a blood test so why Pacquiao is so afraid?” And this made Pacquiao a little bit disappointed.

Pacquiao never failed any drug test on his professional career. For the past ten years, he has only one loss and that was against Erik Morales. So what’s the connection of Erik Morales inPacquiao-Mayweather fight? It seems that the Morales team strategy is something that Mayweather’s camp have discovered to beat Pacquiao.

THE HOLE: MORALES TEAM STRATEGY EXPOSED PACQUIAO’S WEAKNESS

Here’s a video taken on March 2005 after the first encounter of Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales:

It was a post fight interview made by a Filipino newscaster named “Puno” regarding Pacquiao’s defeat against Morales.

Pacquiao discussed about the blood test done before the fight. Puno asked why does the Nevada State Commission insists to have a blood test done. Pacquiao said that he will not be permitted to fight Morales if he will not pass the blood test. Pacquiao explained that one month before the fight, Nevada State Commission rushed him to have a medical exam. He said that they needed his blood for medical requirements. He went back to training and before the weigh-in, he didn’t eat and didn’t even drink because he was in the exact weight. Then two days before the fight, NSAC called him to have a blood test again. Pacquiao said that he already underwent a blood test but NSAC said that the records were lost according to the doctor. Coach Freddie Roach with his manager Shelly were wondering why the NSAC did not have his medical records. According toPacquiao , he have spoken to a certain doctor and said that it’s impossible for NSAC to lose his record because it is a well-established institution.Pacquiao felt something wrong and he thought that it was a tactic against him. He said that he felt dizzy 30 minutes after the blood was taken from him. He said that his nape was very painful. The doctor advised him to drink a lot of water but because he’s in a diet and controlling the amount of food and water he intake in order not to exceed the weight limit, he just lay down and have a body massage. During the actual fight, he is weak and he knows that he will not be able to knock out Morales. Puno said that Morales said in an interview that he never felt any ofPacquiao’s power punches. Pacquiao said that Morales didn’t know that he is weak and that he didn’t have the strength to win.

The incident regarding the loss documents of Pacquiao was never investigated nor brought to the media here in the U.S. or other parts of the world. We can say that his issues were never heard because he was not that too famous at that time. Now thatPacquiao have established his name as the world’s greatest boxer, every little incident that happened to him matters like the issue on his theblood test refusal.

Whether it is true or not true that Morales camp really plotted this blood test incident, the bottom line here is that it proves that Pacquiao was just preventing this thing to happen again on his fight against Mayweather. Mayweather’s camp cannot deny that they don’t know this incident. They might have seen the hole in order to destroy Pacquiao. This may be the closest reason why they really insist the Olympic style random blood test done less than 30 days before the fight.

What is Mayweather’s camp main reason why they insist to take Pacquiao’s blood less than 30 days before the fight? If they are suspecting that Pacquiao is taking performance-enhancing drug, then Pacquiao would love to have his blood taken right after the fight. Is there any difference from having a blood test taken less than 30 days from having a blood test taken right after fight?

What do you think?

Representatives of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will meet on Tuesday in retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein’s Santa Monica office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) in an attempt to revive talks for the fighters’ potential March 13 megabout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank Promotions, said he will be present on behalf of Pacquiao, as will his stepson, Top Rank president Todd duBoef. Also, there will be a representative of the Los Angeles-based law firm O’Melveny and Myers, whose attorney Daniel Petrocelli has been retained to take the case.

Perhaps best known for gaining a conviction in a wrongful death civil suit against O.J. Simpson in 1997, Petrocelli last Wednesday filed a lawsuit on behalf of Pacquiao seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character against Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, as well as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., and the fighter’s uncle, Roger Mayweather.

Contacted through his administrative assistant, Schaefer, via e-mail, declined to comment.

But Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, told FanHouse recently “we’re still trying to make a deal. We feel that this is the biggest fight in the history of boxing. We want to give this fight to the fans.”

The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts), who contends that the camp of Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has damaged his reputation by demanding that both fighters be randomly drug-tested using urinalysis as well as blood work — the latter being a procedure that never has been used in boxing.

Mayweather’s camp initially wanted the Olympic-style, random blood-testing to be done by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. It has since backed off of that stance.

Neither Pacquiao nor Mayweather has ever tested positive for any banned substances.

Pending Tuesday’s mediation at JAMS, Petrocelli can no longer comment directly on the case. Petrocelli did, however, speak to FanHouse last Wednesday — within an hour of filing the suit.

“We filed a defamation of character lawsuit in the federal court in Las Vegas, Nev., against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer, based on their false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao,” said Petrocelli, “specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance — knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions … These guys have no right saying what they’re saying. It’s knowingly false, highly injurious.”

The Los Angeles Times noted that Weinstein successfully stepped in when Top Rank and Golden Boy declined to promote fights together in the past, including his intervention that led to a truce that was a catalyst for the Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera bout in 2007.

Arum said that the only way for the negotiations to continue is for Mayweather’s side to drop its demand for random blood-testing and to apologize, publicly, to Pacquiao.

“What they have to do — and what I know the option is going to be — is that they have to apologize. All of them. They have to make a meaningful apology,” said Arum.

“If they want random blood-testing, they would have to go before the Nevada Commission and petition the commission for that,” said Arum. “They have to agree that the Nevada Commission is regulating this fight — period. No outside agency, no nothing. The have to go with the Nevada Commission — period.”

A native and resident of General Santos City, Philippines, the 31-year-old Pacquiao’s career began as a 106-pounder. The Filipino superstar’s Nov. 14, 12th-round technical knockout of Miguel Cotto earned the WBO’s welterweight title — his unprecedented seventh in as many different weight classes.

Since losing a unanimous decision to Erik Morales in March 2005, Pacquiao’s ring performances have been extraordinary, if not exceptional.

Pacquiao is riding an 11-0 winning streak that includes eight knockouts — a run that includes KOs in the 10th and third rounds, respectively, in subsequent bouts with Morales that avenged the earlier loss.

Pacquiao’s past six victories include super featherweight (130 pounds) decisions over Mexican greats Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez — this after having battled Marquez to a draw nearly four years earlier.

Pacquiao has knocked out his past four opponents, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Cotto, respectively, while rising from lightweight (135 pounds) to junior welterweight (140), and on to the welterweight classes.

Some members of the boxing community have speculated publicly about Pacquiao’s ability to carry his uncanny power with him as he has risen in weight.

Arum believes the criticism to be unfair, asking, “When has this ever come up in the past like this?”

Following his Sept. 2003, junior middleweight victory over Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley admitted to having used the doping agent EPO in connection with the BALCO steroids scandal.

“Shane Mosley was an admitted drug-user. And I’ve had Shane Mosley fight two of the guys that I’ve promoted in the last few years — one of them was Miguel Cotto and the other was Antonio Margarito. Did I ever, ever, ever even indicate in any way that Shane Mosley should be subject to special testing? Ever? No,” said Arum.

“The feeling in the Philippines, really, is that Manny’s an Asian guy and this is really xenophobic. And because of his great success, this is what they’re focusing on,” said Arum. “So this is absolutely preposterous and hopefully the mediator will convince them of that.”

If the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout does not take place, Arum has said that he is prepared to match Pacquiao against newly-crowned WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) of New York, possibly on March 20 at The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

MIAMI (Reuters) - World champion Manny Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum says he will ask the boxer to reconsider his objection to blood testing, raising the prospect that the proposed bout with American Floyd Mayweather could yet go ahead.

Just hours after Arum said that he was going to announce a new opponent for world champion Pacquiao, Mayweather’s camp highlighted footage from a television documentary that appeared to contradict Pacquiao’s objection to blood testing close to the fight.

Pacquiao has balked at Mayweather’s demand for random blood testing within 30 days of the fight, preferring urine testing as he says losing blood weakens him — a stance which has threatened a highly anticipated and lucrative match-up.

But scenes from the HBO reality show ‘Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7′ which documented Pacquiao’s build-up to his fight with Briton Ricky Hatton in May, showed the Filipino fighter giving blood.

Mayweather’s camp said the scene was filmed just 14 days before the fight — a fact Arum said he wanted to verify before speaking to his fighter.

“I will transmit it to Manny once (HBO Sports president) Ross Greenburg establishes the actual date of the test in ‘24/7′ and (the Mayweather camp) makes a proposal based on what Ross has come up with,” Arum told ESPN.com.

“If that happens, I am sure I can convince Manny,” he said.

NOT BACKING OFF

Arum had set a Monday deadline for Golden Boy to accept a “final offer” in which both sides let the Nevada State Athletic Commission make the final decision on testing.

Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said that there was no question of accepting that proposal.

“Random is random. We are not backing off and the ball is in their court,” he told Reuters.

Arum then threatened to find another opponent for Pacquiao which in turn prompted another sharp response from the Mayweather team in a statement on Monday.

“Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history,” it said.

But the Mayweather camp also left the door open for further talks.

“Team Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions is still open to the earlier discussions of having both parties work out a mutually agreeable understanding of the testing, which would be conducted by a mutually agreed upon agency,” the statement added.

Pacquiao won the WBO title in November by stopping holder Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in Las Vegas.

The Filipino (50-3-2) won an unprecedented seventh title in seven weight classes to set up the best pound-for-pound showdown against unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) in what was expected to be among boxing’s biggest earning fights.

SHAME on the Mayweathers, Oscars, Schaefers and Ellerbes.

You made people believe sugar is as salty as the dead sea.

Shame on you guys.

You set different standards in picking a fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Shame on you guys.

You blabber as you put your feet where your mouths are.

Shame on you guys.

You are scuttling the biggest fight boxing fans will die to see for.

If and when the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is called off, it will not be because Manny does not want to do it.

It is because you guys don’t want it to happen.

Is Manny on the ‘roids?

Maybe yes. Maybe not.

But if your bases are Manny’s phenomenal success in carrying his speed and power punches and more as he continues to move up in weight, you are dead wrong because it did not happen overnight.

Maybe you did not see Manny’s siblings and estranged father.

Maybe you missed seeing Manny’s younger brother Bobby tip the scales at 130 pounds while Manny was fighting at 126 pounds.

Maybe you did not bother ask what the weight of Manny’s brother Rogel was on times he was in Las Vegas to watch his superstar brother annihilate all marquee boxers Golden Boy threw against him inside the ring.

Or maybe you just conveniently found the door for Floyd Mayweather Jr’s graceful exit so he could keep his clean record intact.

There is a formula to end the impasse you yourself created.

If you were willing to shell out $10 million for every pound or a fraction thereof in fines if Floyd comes in over the weight limit, you could have as well demanded that Manny forfeit his guaranteed purse if he comes out ‘dirty’ and on the ‘roids.

And Manny could also demand that the winner takes all of the guaranteed purses if he is clean and wins against Floyd.

Don’t worry. Floyd will not come out empty handed. He will have his share in the live gate proceeds, the close circuit TV, and fight merchandise and upside of the PPV. Manny could even underwrite the taxes that the IRS will withhold from Floyd.

You are playing high-stake poker?

You might as well go all in.

But to insist and be inflexible in Olympic-style blood testing is to display hypocrisy at its worst.

You have not demanded this against any boxer Floyd Jr and rest of Golden Boy’s wards have fought.

Why demand it now when the fight is all but sealed and delivered?

Manny could afford to walk away from the fight on principle and not out of fear.

If and when this fight pushes through and Manny comes out clean and then proceed to annihilate Floyd, the Filipino boxer will have the last laugh.

Mark my word.

With a desperate survival instinct, Floyd Mayweather has tried everything he could possibly think of to try and evade being hunted down and devoured by Manny Pacquiao. From the early postured intimidation attempts – He has to call me out first, he knows he can’t beat me, it will be an easier fight than Marquez, 60-40, I’m the best fighter of all time, God doesn’t want me to lose – to the more devious – I promise I’ll fight Mosley instead, Pac must fight me on March 13 – to the final panic move of launching the blood test smokescreens the hectic week before Christmas.

All the ideas Floyd concocted weren’t mind games, but clever schemes concocted with the express purpose to cancel the Super Bowl of Boxing.

Each and every tactic almost worked, just as it did with Margarito, Cotto and Mosley. But this time it was different. Like his style in the ring, Pacquiao is a far more complicated proposition.

We haven’t heard Floyd express a cocky desire and confidence to whoop Pac, like we heard him crow before Ricky Hatton, Arturo Gatti, Oscar, Carlos Baldomir, Juan Manuel Marquez. Floyd has been eerily silent lately. Like his defensive style of boxing, Floyd is being very careful and cautious with everything he says now about Pacquiao. Like it’s been said, the egomaniac never talks when he doesn’t have the upperhand.

And for sure, Floyd knows everything is changed now. The man who claimed he was his own boss, CEO and entrepreneur won’t talk about Pacquiao – he sits back in virtual hiding as his contollers speak for him.

From his temporary refuge, it’s conceivable that Floyd ordered the whole blood test charade which backfired badly on himself, Golden Boy and Schaefer, who now have backtracked out of fear of the forthcoming Pacquiao lawsuit.

There is nowhere to hide now. He can’t run to his HBO “family” because this time they will not protect him from Pacquiao by allowing him to use an easy escape route like Matthew Hatton.
Golden Boy will no longer permit Floyd to use the USADA random testing escape route, not after Richard Schaefer’s previous Mosley-Judah quotes proved him to be a hypocrite.
And worst of all for Floyd, after all his trickerations and deceptions, an angered Manny Pacquiao, more than ever, wants to tear him limb from limb and feed the bloody leftovers to his millions of supporters.

As we speak, Floyd is still in his safety lair, hiding and probably hoping that somehow this nightmare will all blow over and he can go back to the good ol’ days of defrauding the sporting public with more handpicked garbage fights for easy money from his “family” at HBO.

But the reality will soon set in, if it hasn’t already: Floyd will come to the conclusion he is the one who has been handpicked. He is the bullied and not the bully. He is the prey for the ruthless predator. And for the first time in his professional career, Floyd is going to have to face a man he doesn’t want to face. Fight a dangerous fight he doesn’t really want to fight. A “no-win situation.”

Sometimes the cornered animal is the most dangerous. Sometimes, astonishingly, the cornered animal simply surrenders in the moment of truth. We are soon going to learn the truth about Floyd Mayweather as he ponders the final deadline from Pacquiao.

As the Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade once said, “We only learn what a person’s true colors are by how they deal with adversity.”

WBC President Don Jose Sulaiman has advised pound-for-pound king, winner of the coveted “Diamond Belt” and the premier boxing organizations accolade as “Boxer of the Year” Manny Pacquiao to tell Floyd Mayweather Jr that “if he doesn’t want to fight him let him go to hell.”

Sulaiman told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his home in Mexico “Manny has had many WBC title fights . He’s always been clean. I know him as a decent, exceptional, clean person and I don’t think it was fair” for such allegations about being on performance-enhancing drugs to be made.

Sulaiman stressed “he shouldn’t worry, he’s clean. If Mayweather doesn’t want to fight him, let him go to hell.”

The WBC president also noted that Golden Boy Promotions and CEO Richard Schaefer don’t like Pacquiao “because they had him before and now he’s not with them and that’s why they attack him this way and it’s not fair.”

Sulaiman said Schaefer “is a very good finance man but he knows very, very little about boxing. He used to be a very nice person but he has changed badly.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who is on holiday in Mexico earlier came out strongly in support of Pacquiao’s decision to sue Schaefer and Floyd Mayweather Sr and his son, undefeated former pound-for-pound No.1 Floyd Mayweather Jr, for libel, slander and defamation.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Arum said “I am so delighted that he (Pacquiao) is standing up outside the ring like a man, just like he does in the ring.”

Pacquiao had earlier indicated to us that he didn’t wish to dignify the statements made by Mayweather Sr and Schaefer and give them the publicity and attention they were looking for but said in a subsequent statement that enough is enough and that his character and person have been questioned, maligned, damaged and tarnished by baseless and false accusations he has instructed Arum and his own lawyers to file a lawsuit against those who have accused him of taking performance-enhancing drugs without a shred of evidence.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us Sunday afternoon that Pacquiao was spending time with his family while attending to some personal issues in his hometown of General Santos City and that Pacquiao doesn’t wish to say anything more on the topic.

The founding secretary general of the World Boxing Council, eminent lawyer-sportsman Rudy Salud said “I’ve been waiting for them (Pacquiao and Arum) to do that. They have all the right to do that and they will win that case. They cannot deny the statements in which they have accused Pacquiao without any evidence. They are caught. No way for them to get out of that.”

Salud said “now they have to prove their accusations and cannot force him to undergo any test to prove his innocence under any specific system because of the presumption of innocence.” Salud added that in court Pacquiao “can prove that by way of the drug tests conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which they can present as evidence, that he has been tested so many times and found to be clean of any drugs.”

In a statement issued Christmas morning in the Philippines, Pacquiao was quoted as saying “these people think it’s a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard.”

“I have instructed my promoter, Bob Arum, head of Top Rank Inc., 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.”

There are indications that all options would be studied by the top-notch lawyers likely to be retained by Arum and Pacquiao and that libel, slander and defamation suits are expected to be filed against those who made the statements on TV and in several newspapers and internet sites.

Pacquiao was named “Fighter of the Year” by the prestigious Sports Illustrated, was also chosen “Fighter of the Year” twice before and is a cinch to win the award for 2009 and is way ahead of golfing great Tiger Woods in ESPN’s Goodyear “Champion of Champions” balloting. Pacquiao was the first Filipino boxer to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. He has won every conceivable award in the sport and has been acknowledged as the “Hero of Asia” for his achievements in the ring, his humility, his generous assistance to the poor and his concern for his countrymen as well as his help in promoting the careers of other promising Filipino boxers and the unsubstantiated allegations made against him have incensed millions of his countrymen.

Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions have maintained that Mayweather won’t fight Pacquiao unless he took an Olympic-style drug-test handled by the US Anti Doping Agency or USADA. Pacquiao and Arum agreed to be tested one day before the kickoff press conference, 30 days before the fight and immediately after the fight in the dressing room stressing that if he was taking drugs it would surely come out. But Mayweathers handlers insisted on having it their way.

Arum, as a way of saving the fight agreed to have Pacquiao tested by the agency that tests professional players in the NBA, NFL and MBL but that too was turned down, prompting Arum, Pacquiao, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza to claim that Mayweather was looking for a way out because he was scared of Pacquiao who was ready to give him, as Ariza said, “the beating of his life.”

Pacquiao, in his statement reiterated what he’s said before, “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.”

Pacquiao, supported by Arum, Roach and Ariza stated “I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.”

In a direct challenge to Mayweather Jr Pacquiao said “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.”

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz confirmed to us that Pacquiao, has been contemplating on filing a case against Mayweather Sr. even before the start of his Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Angel Cotto. He said then that he “ did not sue because he did not want to get distracted during that time” because as Pacquiao himself said he was preparing for one of the toughest fights of his career.

Koncz told us that Pacquiao is not against any form of drug testing mandated by any state athletic sports commission and in fact supports the effort to keep all athletic disciplines free of drugs because athletes are role models for the youth. It was noted that Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer has often maintained that Pacquiao has been tested before and after every fight in Las Vegas and had been found free of any performance enhancing drugs or steroids.

Sir Walter Scott summed it up best when he wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Through the use of a carefully worded press release and a number of well-prepared interviews, both Golden Boy Promotions and Team Mayweather practiced the art of deception, making it appear as though Manny Pacquiao’s success might be due to some type of performance-enhancing drug. The request for Olympic-style drug testing was baseless, but it was a request that was made nonetheless. Nice try Floyd, but there will be no extra blood tests, for Manny has consistently passed with flying colors every test required of him by any and all boxing commissions.

For 8 years, Pacquiao has fought in Las Vegas, passing each blood test required every time he renewed his boxing license. In total, 11 fights in Sin City, meaning at least 22 pre and post-fight urine tests that have all come back negative for any banned substance listed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This isn’t the first time that the subject of performance-enhancing drugs has been brought up in the sport of boxing. Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Roy Jones Jr. and even current champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have been linked to steroids within the past 10 years. That said, to this day, there has never been a change in any rules governing drug testing in the sport. Guys like Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas, who have actually been caught in the past using steroids, have never been required to take any additional drug tests other than those regulated by the Athletic Commissions. In fact, ironically, after admitting to using steroids, both Mosley and Vargas fought each other twice in Las Vegas and yet neither one ever asked the other for additional testing.

So why now? Why, for this particular fight, would Manny be forced to do additional tests? The answer is simple…Mayweather is nervous! Never before have they ever seen the path of destruction that the Filipino icon is carving through the divisions. Never before has any fighter, not even ones who have been caught and suspended, had to subject themselves to additional testing to prove that they were not cheating. Mosley and Vargas never tore through names the manner in which Pacquiao is doing. Fearful that there’s actually a threat to his undefeated record, it’s the only explanation that Mayweather could come up with and thus, so began the campaign to tarnish Pacquiao’s legacy and perhaps avoid a fight that could earn him his first loss.

Unfortunately for Mayweather, the plan has backfired. With nothing to prove and, more importantly, nothing to hide, Pacquiao is standing firm on his position to follow the exact same rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission that he has always followed throughout the years. Now the decision rests with Floyd as to whether or not he truly wants to step inside the ring with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. But make no mistake, Pacquiao’s continued success throughout the years has come from nothing more than hard work and dedication to his craft. It is that hard work and dedication that truly concerns Floyd Mayweather, as he realizes that now, there’s no more protecting that unblemished record.

Manny Pacquiao has already agreed to drug tests before and after the March 13th fight, isn’t that enough for Golden Boy and Floyd?

It is public knowledge that Roy Jones, James Toney and others have tested positive for substances after fights through the established testing system . If Manny Pacquiao is on a performance enhancer isn’t the current testing system reliable enough to detect and capture him – if he is cheating?

Why is Golden Boy and Floyd doubting the current testing system which has proven to work – are they indirectly accusing Pacquiao and the Nevada State Athletic Commission to be capable of CORRUPTION?

Was Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy involved in the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight in Quebec City?

Are the actions of Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer and Floyd consistent with an entity that wants to stage “Boxing’s Super Bowl”? Or would they prefer to kill the fight and stage a 10-round sparring session between Floyd Mayweather and Matthew Hatton?

Why won’t Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer and Floyd Mayweather demand and accept a urine test 48, 36 or 24 hours before the fight? Why must it be a blood test – is this their last and final way to kill the fight, except for Floyd coming up with another rib injury?

Are Golden Boy and Floyd hoping that by drawing blood from Manny Pacquiao within 24 or 48 hours of the fight, that this never before used tactic (to the best of my knowledge) in boxing history could have a minute but mental and physical effect on the strength and punch force of Manny Pacquiao in the fight? Could the loss of blood be their way to try and negate the vaunted power of the Filippino, which they fear?

Why did Bernard Hopkins and George Peterson previously say on the record that they believe the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will NOT happen on March 13? Are they privy to secretly planned insider information?

Does Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer know that Floyd Mayweather is a “psychological coward” who will never fight any man who has a chance to brutally beat him to a bloody pulp, and therefore must DO ANYTHING to protect their scared fighter from a signing a contract that could lead to a devastatingly brutal knockout loss, so therefore they can continue to try and milk him with safer handpicks like Matt Hatton in order to fulfill a five-fight contract?

Where is Matthew Hatton lately and why has he not spoken to anyone from the boxing media?

Is Golden Boy standing on the edge of the financial cliff and knows it must protect it’s only significant asset of Mayweather from taking part in a fight that would destroy his career, his confidence and his future drawing power?

Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer look at Manny Pacquiao in total awe and dream about promoting such a wonder of the world type superstar? Do Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer ever compare Floyd to Pacquiao in terms of charisma, personality and drawing power and enviously conclude Top Rank is holding a bag of GOLD while they are holding a bag of **** in comparison?

Did Golden Boy or Richard Schaefer have anything whatsoever to do with the selection of the judges of the Guzman-Funeka fight?

Since the devastating KO of Miguel Cotto, has Floyd Mayweather carried himself like an ultimate warrior with supreme confidence, eagerly waiting to take part in the biggest event in boxing history? Or is Floyd acting like a frightened coward, desperately trying to set up block after block to prevent the fight from ever happening?

Why did George Peterson, who works with Floyd advisor Al Haymon, as they together guide the career of Paul Williams, insist with vehemence and certainty on December 2nd in New York City
that the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight “isn’t gonna happen” because some fights are “not meant to be made?”

Does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather fully realize that Manny Pacquiao can’t be beaten by a manufactured illusion with fast fading skills and confidence and therefore must resort to the ridiculous ploy of drawing blood from the man’s body within 24 or 48 hours of the biggest event in the history of the sport?

Does Golden Boy fear seeing it’s THIRD high value asset in a row lose by brutal knockout to Manny Pacquiao and therefore to ensure the survival of the company must protect it’s already psychologically beaten fraud (no win situation) from the certain defeat?

Does Golden Boy see Pacquiao vs. Floyd as a NO WIN SITUATION?

Why does Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather feel the desperate need to randomly test a one-dimensional fighter, who as Floyd stated, “Knows he can’t beat me” though the said figther is willing to be tested before and after the fight?

By demanding and employing Olympic style testing and not the customary Las Vegas procedure, are Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather implying that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will use CORRUPTION and FOUL PLAY to benefit Manny Pacquiao on March 13?

And one more time: Did Richard Schaefer or Golden Boy HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SELECTION OF THE THREE JUDGES OF THE GUZMAN-FUNEKA FIGHT?

After Pacquiao knocks out Mayweather, just what assets are Golden Boy left with? And how much revenue can they generate with Hopkins and Mosley who, despite being top rated pound for pound fighters, have each been mysteriously inactive for over a year each?

The Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather welterweight title megafight, tentatively scheduled for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is in jeopardy.

According to Golden Boy Promotions, which is representing Mayweather, Pacquiao refused Tuesday to agree to the Olympic-style drug testing procedures the sides had been negotiating.

Mayweather requested that the drug testing for the fight be in compliance with the United States Anti Doping Agency, which handles drug testing for Olympians, “to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters.”

Olympic style testing is more rigorous than the drug testing performed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and other state commissions. It would involve random blood and urine testing before and after the fight. Nevada commission testing only tests urine for banned substances, once just before the fight and once immediately following the fight.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., the fighter’s father, has repeatedly accused Pacquiao of taking illegal substances, even though Pacquiao denies it and he has never failed a drug test.

According to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who is negotiating the deal with Top Rank president Todd duBoef, Pacquiao refuses to have his blood drawn within 30 days of the bout based on his superstition of testing so close to a fight.

“Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn’t want to do it so close to the fight,” Schaefer said. “He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight.”

Two weeks ago, Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, told ESPN.com that their side had no problem with Olympic style testing.

“I have no problem with the testing whatsoever,” Roach said then. “They can do whatever kind of drug testing they want. They’re scared of Manny and scared of his power. He’ll pass any test in the world.”

Schaefer said he hoped it was simply a “miscommunication” on the Pacquiao side.

“I do hope it is some sort of miscommunication and that Pacquiao is not even aware of what is going on and he will clear this up and say what is good enough for these great Olympic athletes is good enough for him and Floyd, and he agrees to do these drug tests.

“Team Mayweather is very surprised that an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao would refuse drug testing procedures which Floyd has already agreed to and have been agreed to by many other top athletes. Why would Pacquiao refuse to have the same kind of testing that Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had?”

Told of Pacquiao’s reluctance to be tested, Mayweather said he should explain himself.

“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don’t know anyone who really does,” Mayweather said in a statement. “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level. I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same. It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night.

“I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA.”

Said Leonard Ellerbe, a Mayweather adviser, in a statement, “We hope that Manny will do the right thing and agree to the testing as it is an egregious act to deny the testing and hence, deny the millions of fans the right to see this amazing fight. We just want to make sure there is a level playing field in a sport that is a man-to-man contest that relies on strength and ability.

“I still hope this decision is coming from someone in Pacquiao’s camp and not Manny himself as it would be a shame that an athlete of his stature and who represents his whole country would not be able to show the public or his fellow athletes that he agrees to the highest standards in sports competition.”

Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said the company declined to comment.

Schaefer said he and duBoef had “worked out all other issues related to the fight,” disclosing to ESPN.com that the fight would be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, if they can work out the drug testing issue.

“We have agreed on all terms, including the site,” Schaefer said.

The MGM Grand beat out several other interested venues, including Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Team owner Jerry Jones had offered a $25 million site fee, the largest in boxing history, but the promoters took an offer from the MGM Grand, whose terms have not been disclosed.

In addition, Schaefer told ESPN.com that the sides had agreed on an unprecedented penalty if either fighter weighed in heavier than the contract limit of 147 pounds.

“We agreed to $10 million per pound, or fraction thereof,” Schaefer said. “That’s what the Pacquiao side wanted and we said OK to that. That’s unheard of. We have agreed on everything except for this drug testing issue. I have to think Pacquiao is unaware of this. The drug testing had been part of the contract for a while and then they suddenly said no. I was informed of that [Tuesday] morning. Suddenly they changed course and I don’t know why.”

Pacquiao wanted a huge monetary penalty if Mayweather was overweight because he ignored the contract limit of 144 pounds for his September fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, coming in at 146 pounds and paying a $600,000 penalty for the extra advantage.

For fear of being outsmarted by Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, by way of his lawyer Franklin Gacal, said in a text message late Tuesday night in the Philippines that the Filipino fighter will be “demanding a penalty of $10 million per pound or a fraction thereof over and above 147 lbs during the weighin” in relation to the March 13, 2010 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Gacal, however, made it clear that the “penalty applies to both fighters”, meaning if Pacquiao fails to make weight, he will also be forced to cough out the same amount.

Against Juan Manuel Marquez last September, Mayweather was compelled to pay Marquez a total of $600,000 for coming in at 146 lbs. The agreed weight was 144 lbs. Mayweather went on to beat the overpowered Mexican on a lopsided 12-round decision. It is unclear if Mayweather will agree to what appears to be an over-the-top demand by Team Pacquiao. Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions are staging the fight and a formal annoucement is being awaited anytime this week. Both fighters are guaranteed a purse of $25 million each and their total earnings can go up to as high as $40 million apiece.

Some boxing fans say that Manny Pacquiao will win his March 13 fight with Floyd Mayweather to give way for a three-part mini series that will be staged in two years or less.

In recent a recent statement on his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said that his clash with the undefeated American boxer could be his last fight.

Boxing fans say otherwise, though. They think that Manny and Floyd will go for a mini series, a three-part encounter over a nearly two-year period. The compelling reason? The substantial amount of money that both fighters will lose if they only fight once.
Here’s the scenario: Pacquiao will win the first of the three-part series match. Mayweather must have instructed his fight negotiator Richard Shaefer to insert a fight automatic rematch provision in the contract if Pacquiao wins in the first encounter.
Boxing fans will buy the idea of a rematch to give Mayweather a second chance to prove his claim that he is the superior fighter. The second encounter will generate much more revenues than the first one for the two great boxers as their popularity will remain high among boxing fans. Both boxers, win or lose, will make a lot of money.

But the scenario will allow Mayweather to win in the second encounter to keep an even fight. In the meantime, both boxers will claim that one is better then the other. Therefore a new encounter must happen in order to settle the issue once and for all. Hence, a third match is necessary.

For boxing fans, the third encounter is the real boxing fight as it will settle the issue of superiority of one over the other. Pride and not money will be the focal point here. Whoever wins in the third encounter will have accumulated a sinful amount of money and emerge as the greatest fighter of the decade.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather boxing match is set for March 13 and will most likely take place at the MGM Grand Garden arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Manny Pacquiao is the current Ring Magazine’s pound -for-pound king and WBO welterweight champion. Pacquiao is the first boxer in history to win seven times in seven different weight classes as a result of his latest victory over Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an undefeated American professional boxer who retired from boxing two years ago and came out of retirement early this year to face Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in what appears to be a tune-up fight with Manny Pacquiao.

SAN FRANCISCO, California, December 22, 2009 - “While Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s rolling shoulder is perceived by many as a good defense tactic, such may not work against Manny Pacquiao,” says Dr. Art Lee who is a U.S.- board certified orthopedic surgeon and a once-boxing enthusiast.

“Pacquiao can break that defense and his power shots can disarticulate Mayweather’s infamous shoulder-rolling defense,” says Dr. Lee who claims to have reviewed several fights of Mayweather,Jr.

Dr. Lee firmly believes “Pacquiao should be much stronger and devastating at the pre-fight weight of 147 than he was at a catchweight of 145″.

“I believe he is too powerful , too fast and too sleek for Mayweather, Jr. at this stage of his improvement,” he intimates. “And Pacquiao is such a versatile athlete and he can easily pin down Mayweather because, unlike Pacquiao, his style is predictable.”

Dr. Lee hopes Mayweather vs. Pacquiao will happen this March 13.

“Pacquiao’s momentum is still there and I believe March 13 is just perfect for him.” He adds.

Asked by this writer what he expects of Pacquiao on fight night, Dr. Lee says, “Pacquiao will break him down in the first six rounds and a knockout is likely between seventh and eleventh.”

A Kung Fu Master at 26, Dr. Lee is a U.S. -born of Chinese descent. He finished his medical studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Now based in San Francisco, California, he has been specializing in orthopedic surgery since 1992.

In an interview with FightFanNation.com contributor Julian Esquivel, Evander Holyfield analyzed the Mayweather-Pacquiao match up and thinks it’s a very dangerous fight for Floyd, who he considers to be a great technical boxer and commented, “Mayweather may be one of the most skillful fighters ever. Skillful wise he would have been able to compete in any era while some of the fighters today would only be able to compete in this era.”

Holyfield thinks that Pacquiao’s unorthodox style may give Mayweather problems and noted, “When I look at Pacquiao and the only problem where I think he’s going to give Mayweather trouble is he’s elusive. And even though he looks like he isn’t moving, he’s going to hit and wave and he’s going to punch from so many different angles, that he may be the only person that will be able to hurt Mayweather if he catches him with shots because he doesn’t throw his punches straight. From every angle you can get hit, he throws it, and you can’t block all the angles. By him being left handed and he has enough speed, and he is more active than Floyd so he will throw more punches. He may not be quicker one punch per se but he throws so many punches and Floyd loves to go on defense and he only likes to throw two shots when he’s on defense and this guy likes to throw five shots so he’s going to get hit with something so I think this is the fight that’s going to make or break Floyd. This fight here will be one of the pinnacle things that will make Floyd great. This fight here for Floyd can break him. He beats this guy; he beat someone who is sensational. And he may not get the credit because everything on Pacquiao’s side is up because if he doesn’t win it was just a challenge for him to go up.”

Evander Holyfield was in Atlanta during the Olympics when Floyd won a Bronze medal as a nineteen year old and Evander compared that fight to Mayweather’s upcoming bout with Pacquiao and noted, “The only fight that I saw Floyd lose was in the Olympics in Atlanta, it was the last fight that he lost and it was a left handed guy. And the only way he beat Floyd is Floyd is a spot fighter, he fights in spots so what he did was he made Floyd fight more than Floyd wanted to fight. I think with Pacquiao, he’s going to put on a lot of pressure. If he puts a lot of pressure on Floyd, either Floyd is going to catch him or he’s going to be hitting Floyd. Floyd is a disciplined fighter he could care less if the fight is boring as long as he’s not getting hit. I’ve never seen anybody make Floyd go off [his game-plan] because nobody ever hits him. That’s how good he is, you don’t ever see anybody hit him. He kind of reminds me of Pernell Whitaker. Nobody could hit Pernell. The only time Pernell got hit is when he fought Trinidad and he lost because he wasn’t quick enough to get out of the way, there was nothing he could do. The same thing with this because Pacquiao is going to throw a hundred punches. And you know how Floyd goes into the corner, and Pacquiao can hit him because he’s got that much energy to do that and it seems like he likes doing that. He never runs out, he’s just one of those guys that goes ratatatat. So if Floyd lets him build up and throw all those punches it could be a one sided fight [for Pacquiao].”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum believes that at this point the MGM Grand has the edge in the bid to land the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight for the ages on March 13 although Dallas Cowboys owner Gerry Jones is vying for the right to stage the multi-million dollar fight at the new state-of-the-art $1.2 billion Cowboys stadium in Dallas, Texas.

New Orleans which initially evidenced interest in a bid to stage the fight hasn’t contacted the promoters in the last few days. However, Arum said “if they are still interested they’ll contact us and we (Arum, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Ross Greenberg of HBO) will make a visit to New Orleans which is not too far from Dallas” which the trio will visit on Wednesday to meet with Jones.

Asked who he felt was the front-runner, Arum replied “I’ll have to say its Las Vegas because the fighters, most of their big fights have been in Las Vegas, it’s a great climate to do a fight but this is professional boxing and money talks.”

Arum clarified “if we get an incredible offer from Dallas and Jerry Jones then it will be incumbent upon Las Vegas to match it or come close.”

The astute Top Rank promoter noted that “the best weekend that they (Las Vegas) have had in months was the weekend of November 14 when Manny fought (Miguel) Cotto. The town was packed. There was a great buzz and when its around a boxing match the people come in. There is something subliminal about the fact that they spend a lot of money, not as much on the gambling but in the best restaurants, the nightclubs and they buy clothing so they had a phenomenal weekend and they know this fight will be even bigger.”

Arum said also that “many people coming to the fight would want to stay in the new city center because architecturally its such an incredible edifice.”

Get ready for jacked up PPV TV prices for the March 13 Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao Super Fight.

Butter wouldn’t melt in Pacman promoter Bob Arum’s mouth now as he returns with a verbal agreement to the most salient points from the Pinoy Idol.

Arum will take this greenlight from Megamanny to a Monday meeting with Mayweather rep Richard Schaefer.

When Money and Pacman both put pen to paper, it’s officially on and they can see if Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who supposedly wants the Big One, for his sparkling, new football playpen in Arlington, is all “big hat, no cattle” as the Texas expression goes.

Perhaps Arum is just using the Dallas situation as a level to induce a better deal from the MGM Mirage checkwriters in Las Vegas.

I asked Arum a few days if it is true that the pay per view tariff will be well above the $55 mark.

“No comment,” was all Arum said.