Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout Cancelled; Manny To Fight Clottey On March 13

The nail in the coffin of the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather bout came on Sunday, when Pacquiao officially agreed to fight Joshua Clottey on Mar. 13, the original date of his planned fight with Mayweather. 

The bout will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. Bob Arum attended the Cowboys-Eagles playoff game yesterday with other Top Rank officials, and was so impressed with the venue that he already started figuring out how many seats they'd get in there (50K), a possible catchweight (no catchweight), etc.

A formal press conference announcement will come later this month, likely after the Cowboys' January 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings. That game will be in Minnesota, but there's still a chance the Cowboys could host the NFC championship on January 24.

Though no announcement has been made yet, SB Nation's Bad Left Hook expects it will be broadcasted on HBO pay-per-view. 

So the fight everyone wanted, the fight that was seemingly too good be true, apparently was. There will be no Pacquiao-Mayweather (at least, for now). 

With news Thursday that the super mega epic bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao was called off, it was only a matter of time before one of the fighters blamed the other. Mayweather was the winner, releasing a statement today, saying, in part, "First and foremost, not only do I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, I want to whip his punk ass." 

"Throughout this whole process I have remained patient, but at this point I am thoroughly disgusted that Pacquiao and his representatives are trying to blame me for the fight not happening when clearly the blame is on them.

"First and foremost, not only do I want to fight Manny Pacquiao, I want to whip his punk ass.

"Before the mediation, my team proposed a 14-day, no blood testing window leading up to the fight. But it was rejected. I am still proposing the 14-day window but he is still unwilling to agree to it, even though this is obviously a fair compromise on my part as I wanted the testing to be up until the fight and he wanted a 30-day cut-off. The truth is he just doesn't want to take the tests.

"In my opinion it is Manny Pacquiao and his team who are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever. I know the people will see through their smokescreens and lies. I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."

After weeks of back-and-forth between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao regarding pre-fight testing, a venue, and otherwise mundane footnotes to what many have called the fight of the century (which is only 10 years old, but still), it seems the fight’s been cancelled.

SB Nation's Bad Left Hook mourns the loss:

They agreed to the split. They agreed to the gloves. They had a mostly for-show search for a venue that put them at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, boxing’s grandest stage. Hell, they even worked out whose name would go first on what promotional devices.

It was going to have both fighters earning up to $40 million or so when all was said and done, with $25 million guarantees, the largest ever. The fight would have a chance at breaking the all-time gate record in Nevada, and the all-time pay-per-view record.

It was a perfect fight. Floyd Mayweather Jr., the unbeaten immovable object, against Manny Pacquiao, the seemingly unstoppable force cutting through class fighters like he was fighting David Diaz every night. The potential for a bit of an ugly style clash was there, but so was the potential for a fight where both would be tested like never, ever before, by fellow fighters whose skill level was as good as it gets.

It isn’t to be, apparently. Mayweather would not budge from his set demands for Olympic-level blood testing requests, and while Pacquiao was willing to give in a bit, it just wasn’t enough for Floyd.

[…]

the short-sighted nature of boxing’s promoters and fighters has reared its ugly head once again. I worried initially about what boxing would do after this fight; now, we have to wait to see if this fight will be made in September or something.

And even if it is, it won’t be the same.

This entire fiasco has seriously damaged the credibility of boxing as a sport. The two will now move on to different fights on back-to-back weekends in March. Floyd Mayweather looks like he’ll fight Paulie Malignaggi on March 13. Pacquiao will face Yuri Foreman on March 20.

It’s a sad commentary on the state of boxing that a truce between the two camps couldn’t be brokered in time, but alas, that’s the way it goes. For Bad Left Hook’s full coverage, click here.

After hinting it at late last week, Manny Pacquiao has followed through with his threat: he is suing Floyd Mayweather.

Actually, the lawsuit filed on Wednesday, which is "seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation," named both Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and his father, along with Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, according to FanHouse's Lem Satterfield.

"We filed a defamation of character lawsuit in the federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada, against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer based on their false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance, knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," said Petrocelli.

"We may be naming others as well, and may be adding others who have made comments since the lawsuit was filed. These guys have no right saying what they're saying. It's knowingly false, highly injurious," said Petrocelli. "Manny has an absolutely unblemished reputation, and accomplished extraordinary achievements through hard work and preparation," said Petrocelli, " and he can't sit by and allow people to accuse him of cheating because they can't beat him in the ring."

This is all stemming from rumors surround Pacquaio and steroids, rumors that intensified when he balked at Mayweather's proposal to undergo drug testing before their previously agreed upon fight, which had been set for Mar. 13.

"There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers, to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing," said Pacquiao ... As I have stated before I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like. I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating.

"I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with."

According to Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports the Nevada Athletic Commission has ordered drug tests for both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. From Rogers’ report:

Even though the proposed March 13 fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao has not yet been finalized, as both men are licensed fighters in Nevada they are subject to random tests. […]

Lundvall insisted that differing medical opinion and information on the efficacy of various testing systems, made it difficult to ascertain which was the optimum program to use. However, she claimed she was confident the method employed by NAC was effective in catching cheats.

And SB Nation’s boxing blog, Bad Left Hook, had the following reaction:

The testing will be urine only, no blood, and has come about because as both fighters are licensed to box in Nevada, they are subject to random testing. The publicizing of this move and the fact that it’s not quite random if everyone knows it’s coming seems a bit strange overall, and I’m not sure I get what the point is.

Truthfully, if we’re not going to avoid reality or be all wishy-washy, the tests that Mayweather’s camp wants are the optimum program to use, and there’s absolutely no question about that whatsoever. By comparison, the tests Nevada uses are probably garbage — not that they’re totally ineffective or useless or anything, but they’re not even close to the gold standard of drug testing.

So while the Nevada Athletic commission is being very showy about ordering these drug tests, it’s really nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, it’s an attempt to distract boxing fans while the commission decides whether to follow Mayweather’s lead and order blood tests. For now, this “random” urine test—that the fighters know about in advance—will have to suffice.

Over the past week or so, Mayweather-Pacquiao has gone from a blockbuster of our lifetime to pipe dream on life support. Suddenly, insiders are saying it won't happen, promoters are discussing alternatives for their fighters, and boxing fans are just watching helplessly, holding their breath and crossing their fingers. This must happen, right? For the good of the sport. Come on. PLEASE. 

But one of the problems is that Floyd Mayweather's questioned Manny Pacquiao's integrity by demanding that he submit to blood testing. Now, others are getting in on the act, as Oscar De La Hoya recently wondered aloud about Manny Pacquiao. SB Nation's boxing blog, Bad Left Hook, had an emphatic reaction to De La Hoya's implied allegations:

In Oscar de la Hoya's Ring blog, he recently offered this quote:

"If Pacquiao doesn’t want to do this and risk a possible $40 million payday because he’s afraid of needles or believes he’ll be weakened by blood tests, then that raises question marks.

Now I have to wonder about him. I’m saying to myself, "Wow. Those Mosley punches, those Vargas punches and those Pacquiao punches all felt the same."

[...]

OH DID THEY?

If you've paid attention for a little while, say a year or so, you just might remember the famous Oscar saying after that fight that Manny Pacquiao doesn't hit hard.

Here's the quote, straight from Oscar, published by Michael Rosenthal of The Ring on February 20, 2009:

"I just didn’t care. I didn’t care if he was hitting me because I couldn’t do anything about it. Luckily he doesn’t hit hard. Obviously, if he would’ve hit hard, he would have knocked me out with no problem."

So which is it, Oscar? Does Manny hit so hard, the power of Mosley and Vargas, and thus you JUST HAVE TO WONDER if he's on performance-enhancing drugs, or does he hit so lightly that you weren't really bothered, just out shape and demoralized because you couldn't keep pace with him?

Of course, De La Hoya is closely tethered to Mayweather's camp, so it's no surprise that he followed Floyd's lead in doubting Pacquiao. But where those doubts might have been intended to provoke Pacquiao into submitting to Mayweather's testing program, they've instead left the Filipino legend so enraged that he'd walk away from a potential $40 million payout. That's a lifetime's fortune, but Pacquiao's spent his whole life maintaining his integrity.

Today, he released a statement on the matter, and he may pursue a defamation suit. Via the Associated Press:

"These people think they are doing the sport a great service. They are not," Pacquiao added. "To Floyd, despite all these accusations, may your Christmas be merry and I will see you in court, soon, too." 

"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," Pacquiao said.  

"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’s statement said. "I have no idea what steroids look like, and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.

"Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward, and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano, and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring." 

Good lord. To repeat: THIS FIGHT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. Mainly, because both sides have a point here. Floyd wants to be assured of a level playing field; Manny thinks the unprecedented proposal from Mayweather is overkill. What's more, the whispers about steroids have clearly struck a chord with the Pacquiao, who's proud of his record and integrity. But then, can you blame Floyd for connecting the dots and calling Pacquiao's integrity into question?

It all hinges on your perspective; you could make a compelling case that either man is on higher moral ground, just like you could say either fighter is the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet. Which is why this fight is so perfect.

If it takes an independent arbitrator to determine an appropriate testing method, then so be it. You can tell from the statement above that Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. But if Pacquiao continues to face skepticism over his refusal to be bloodtested before the fight, there's a chance he could just walk away and fight Paulie Malignaggi. For Pacquiao, you get the sense that pride trumps profits.

So while this snag gets resolved, let's hope Mayweather treads lightly with the steroid allegations, and people like Oscar De La Hoya stifle themselves. This fight's too important to boxing to allow allegations like this to derail things. 

Promoters are working to get the on-again, off-again mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather back on again. The LA Times reports that promoters for both sides are considering having an arbitrator decide how to conduct the drug testing for the potential fight, as a way to get around the impasse which has currently derailed any agreement.

Floyd Mayweather has insisted on adopting “Olympic-style” random blood tests in the days leading up to the fight, while Manny Pacquiao has balked at that suggestion. Pacquiao has instead expressed a preference for urine testing, administered either by the Nevada State Gaming Commission, or the testers that the NFL and MLB use. The promoters claimed that an ability to come to a consensus on this issue had killed the fight, before apparently considering turning to an arbitrator as a way to resurrect the super fight that would be an enormous payday for both Mayweather and Pacquiao. Considering that they stand to make a guranteed $25 million (and up to $40 million), it seems likely that Mayweather and Pacquiao will come to some mutually acceptable arrangement sooner rather than later.

The fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has quickly gone from agreed upon to in jeopardy to now completely "off," reports multiple sources. From The Philippine Star:

Top rank promoter Bob Arum yesterday said the fight, set on March 13 at MGM Grand, is off following the two camps' dispute on the Olympic-style drug testing.

"The plug is pulled. The fight is off as far as we're concerned," said Arum who, however, said Pacquiao could start looking for a new opponent.

"Mayweather proves that he's a coward and he's looking for a way out of the fight. The Nevada commission has been doing drug testing for the last 40 years," said Arum.

"Takot talaga sa akin (He's really scared of me)," was Pacquiao's immediate reaction after negotiations for the blockbuster fight came to a screeching halt.

This whole situation is stemming from Mayweather's insistence that both fighters submit to "Olympic-style random drug tests," something Pacquiao refuses to do. Bad Left Hook has their take, and they see it all as one big game of chicken.

On one hand, it looks bad that Pacquiao won't submit to testing if he actually is clean.  On the other hand, it looks bad that Mayweather is demanding something that, as far as I know, has never been something required in a professional boxing match.  Both sides seem to have some reasonable arguments here. 

Who's going to blink?  I find it hard to believe that both fighters are willing to leave a guaranteed $25 million (with kickers of up to $40 million) on the table over something so small.  But for now, the fight gets some more free publicity, and the sports talk shows will have something to discuss during what's normally a slow time of the year.

The hugely epic mega bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, which just last week was seemingly all but finalized with both sides agreeing to a fight date of Mar. 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, has hit a bit of snag. More specifically, Mayweather is threatening to pull out.

Part of the agreement between the two fighters was that Pacquiao would agree to "an Olympic-style random drug test at the request of Mayweather's camp." But now Pacquiao is refusing.

Early today Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, was contacted by Top Rank President Todd duBoef, who informed Schaefer that Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood taken within 30-days of the bout based on the fighter's superstition of testing so close to a fight.

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

Floyd Mayweather had his own response to the news.

“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don’t know anyone who really does,” said Mayweather.  “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level. I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same.  It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night. I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA.”

I agree with Mayweather, hopefully this was "some miscommunication," because this fight is just too good not to happen. Or maybe that's the problem -- it's really just too good to happen.

According to sources, and as reported by FanHouse's Lem Satterfield, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has been selected as the site of the epic boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, unofficially set to be held on March 13.

"It's the MGM. It's definite," said a source.

The MGM was chosen over the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium, whose owner, Jerry Jones, had offered $25 million to host the bout. The promoters of both fighters, however, had indicated that they felt the MGM's offer could surpass that of Jones.

The choice of the MGM Grand, whose deal specifications are unclear, is largely based in both fighters' familiarity with the location as well as their past success there.

Both Cowboys Stadium and the Staples Center had been mentioned as possible sites.

The most important fight in boxing in a very long time, Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather, could "definitely be finalized this week," according to someone close to the ongoing negotiations, reports Lem Satterfield at FanHouse.

With both fighters agreed to the bout in principle, all that's left is deciding where to hold it: the MGM Grand in Las Vegas or Cowboys Stadium.

Although Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has offered $25 million to host the bout, that number could rise, the fight's promoters believe.

Still, the offer from Dallas is expected to be surpassed by the MGM Grand, where both fighters and their respective promoters have familairy and have routinely enjoyed success. [...]

Citing a source involved in the site talks, The Los Angeles Times spelled out a scenario in which the MGM Grand would generate $28 million in live-gate sales, offer 40,000 closed-circuit seats through MGM/Mirage properties, and charge $100 a head for a possible $4 million surplus -- a total worth of around $32 million.

"I really believe that it will be done by late Thursday," said the source. "It will definitely be finalized this week. I'm just not sure if it's going to be Dallas or the MGM."

Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, offers his prediction on the fight's location: "I believe that it will end up at the MGM because both fighters want to fight in Las Vegas," said Koncz. "I think that both fighters have expressed their desire to fight in Las Vegas."

With NCAA basketball conference championships wrapping up that day, and this fight that night, you should probably go ahead and make sure you don't have any plans on Mar. 13.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times today, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is willing to break the bank to make the dream of a fight at his new Texas Stadium become a reality. After this week’s earlier reports had the Staples Center looking like a frontrunner to host the event—paying $20 million for the privilege—the Times reports that Jones has upped his offer to $25 million.

And while that seems like a steep increase, it’s just the beginning. Ultimately, according to some of the promoters involved, we could end up seeing a number as high—or higher—than $30 million for the rights to host the event. From AOL Fanhouse:

“I agree with that statement,” said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, when informed that Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer told The Los Angeles Times “The numbers are going in the right direction and I believe we’ll end up in excess of $30 million.”

“We will end up with a guarantee that starts with a three.”

And while it’s too early to tell whether Jones in Dallas, the Staples Center promoters, or anyone else might be willing to pay such an outlandish sum, it certainly seems that numbers are moving closer and closer in that direction. And Jones, a man who just built the most ornate sports stadium in human history, sure seems like the type of man who’s willing to pay for the best. In this case, that might just mean forking over a cool $30 million.

Via SB Nation’s Bad Left Hook, comes this news from the L.A. Times that the Staples Center is prepared to offer $20 million of guaranteed money to host the Pacquaio vs. Mayweather super fight, reportedly scheduled for March 13.

From the Times:

“This is the biggest boxing event ever, and we’re prepared to step up in a big way,” said Dan Beckerman, chief financial officer for AEG, which runs Staples Center. […] “We know there’s interest in this fight across the world, but we’re very interested and honored to make the most impressive offer possible,” Beckerman said. “It’s our biggest guarantee ever, and we hope it wins the day. We wanted to push as far and as hard as we could.”

Bad Left Hook is impressed with the offer, but writes that it won’t outdo whatever the MGM in Vegas is willing to pay for the fight. Although the Staples Center offer is the first firm one that’s been made.

Besides the guaranteed money, there is also the issue of taxes to contend with:

big deterrent will be the income taxes that California levies against the fighters. New York and New Jersey are totally out of the running because of their taxes. Nevada and Texas don’t have them, and Louisiana would have to waive theirs, which James Carville proposes.

There’s really nothing I can say that hasn’t been said already. This is as big as it gets. This is as important as it gets. This is a fight people will talk about in 50 years. This is one for the time capsule.

Be sure to check back with Bad Left Hook. There is plenty more to come.

The much anticipated (and much rumored) fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is reportedly set to take place on March 13 after Pacquiao agreed with promoter Bab Arum on Friday. 

Arum presented "what he thought was the best proposal he can bring" during a two-hour breakfast meeting with Pacquiao in Manila, said Michael Koncz, an adviser of the Philippine boxing idol.

"Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem," Koncz said. "The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem and it's pretty much a done deal."

He said the contract still needs "fine tuning," declining to elaborate.

"We all believe that it will be done," he said.

In an interview with GMA television, Pacquiao said, "March 13 is OK."

Previously, Pacquiao said March would not work, because he is running for a congressional seat in May of next year, but campaigning won't start before April. If Pacquiao's reported agreement is accurate, then a press conference would be held Jan. 11 in New York to make an official announcement.

The Superdome, the new Dallas Cowboys' stadium and the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas have all expressed interest in hosting the bout. 

According to the Sporting News, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are getting close to an agreement to fight one another, but the latest point of contention centers on a when, exactly, the two might fight. Specifically, Manny Pacquiao reportedly refuses to fight on the proposed March 13th date.

From Sporting News:

Although Floyd Mayweather has agreed to a deal to fight Manny Pacquiao on March 13, Pacquiao’s participation is still in question. In an article on Boxingscene.com, Pacquiao’s lawyer says that having the fight at that date seems unlikely:

“As of last night, Manny said he doesn’t want to fight in April or even May. There will be no fight. Maybe it will come after the elections.” said Gacal (Pacquiao’s attorney) “Everything will depend on developments after the elections. But again, as of last night, the March 13 and May 1 dates for Pacquiao’s next fight are out.”

Bob Arum apparently doesn’t agree, because he arrived today in the Philippines trying to get Manny’s signature. These situations are always a bit complicated with Pacquiao, as he seems very difficult to get in contact with when he is in the Philippines. We’ve often heard stories of Freddie Roach having problems getting Pacquiao on the phone, and it doesn’t seem as though Arum has been in contact with Pacquiao.

So it looks like, as mentioned in an earlier update, Pacquiao’s budding political career may be what’s standing in the way of a fight on March 13th. If the fight conflicts with elections in the Philippines, apparently that’s a deal breaker, and the boxing world may have to wait another few months for this blockbuster to happen.

But let’s be clear: Manny Pacquiao’s a boxer. He may be dabbling in politics, but if he’s to be successful in that arena, it’ll be because he’s been successful in the ring. He’s a national icon in the Philippines, a worldwide celebrity, and apparently an action star—but make no mistake, it all stems from his success in the ring. And as Bob Arum and the promoters set about making this fight happen, Pacquiao will understand that and act accordingly.

Because regardless of Arum’s persuasiveness, the tens of millions of dollars thrown in Pacquiao’s direction speaks than louder than words could. And you won’t make that money in Filipino politics…

Some great stuff today from David Mayo of the Grand Rapid Press (Mayweather’s hometown paper, FYI), who reports on the fight. Specifically, what’s done, and what’s left to do:

It isn’t a done deal but it’s close. March 13 — a mere 100 days from Thursday — it seems likely that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally will stand across from each other in a boxing ring, meet in the middle, and begin 12 rounds of action to determine pound-for-pound supremacy in the biggest fight since Sugar Ray Leonard upset Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1988

He lists five issues left to be resolved before the fight’s officially resolved, but among the five, this is definitely my favorite:
Mayo

4. Pacquiao’s politics — The fight shifted to March 13 for one principal reason. Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat in The Philippines. The election is scheduled for May 10. Unless he stand unopposed, he was reluctant to schedule a fight nine days before the election, and ruin any campaign plans.

Pacquiao has fought through so many distractions that something as minor as major national office in his native country might seem inconsequential. Before his victory last month over Miguel Cotto, his camp was beset by infighting and back-biting, and the typhoon which crashed through the Philippines forced him to relocate his camp right in the middle of peak training.

Still, the election has to take up some of his time, and will be a focus of much of the pre-fight publicity.

For the other four stumbling blocks and more thoughts on the mega-fight to end all mega-fights, here’s the full article.