With each day bringing surreal antics and discriminating comments from Floyd Mayweather Jr, I have officially come to the conclusion that Little Floyd has finally “lost his mind”.
Within the last 48 hours we’ve had Filipino reporters discriminated against and Floyd putting his hands on another reporter. These are just the latest actions in a long line of absurd moments that demonstrate Floyd has “lost his marbles”. Grab a seat, keep all hands and feet inside the windows, and let’s examine Floyd’s “Crazy Train”.
Now, I’m just going to take this tour through Floyd’s actions in 2010 only. It’s more than enough to demonstrate that Floyd is “Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs”.
Ok, I’m sure we can find more to add to this list just from this year alone. Let’s also keep in mind that we are only about 65 days into 2010, and we have all of these absurd comments and actions. But, it’s the latest one that I would like to comment further on.
According to Gabriel Montoya at Max Boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr put his hands on Gabriel in a way that made the reporter feel uncomfortable.In his article, Gabriel questions the reason for Floyd putting his hands on him. In my opinion, this really crossed the line.
Nobody should put their hands on another unless it’s in a sport designed for it or in self-defense. In my opinion, this is the final nail in the coffin of Little Floyd’s sanity.
Adam Watson Sacramento, Ca “What would you have done if Floyd put his hands on you?”
Adam, I would like to think I could “turn the other cheek”. But honestly, I don’t respond to well when someone puts their hands on me. Recently, I did an interview with Luke Rockhold of Strikeforce and we discussed what happens when someone puts their hands on you. Luke discussed how you need a controlled response through the discipline of the martial arts you study. Unfortunately, I don’t have that controlled response. I’ve spent several years studying different martial arts like Arnis, Akido, and some Jiu-Jitsu. But I spent more time with wrestling. I rather just pick up someone and slam them on their head and that’s probably what I would try and do to Floyd since I have at least 40 pounds on him. I’m not your typical everyday reporter. I don’t sit behind a keyboard all day. I spend more hours training in the gym than I do on a computer. Wow, this question has completely taken me down a different path and it might reflect my sanity. Let’s all laugh together at Rick getiing fired up about Floyd putting his hands on a reporter.
John Snyder Sacramento, CA “Is Floyd Jr insane?”
John, yes I think he is. Just read the list above. But I think it’s passed down through the family because Floyd Sr and Roger are also insane. I don’t know what happened to this family when they were still in the womb, but when they came out into this world it’s been nothing but insanity coming from their mouths. Honestly, I’m becoming increasingly disgusted by what they say and do.
Has Floyd Mayweather Jr finally gone too far? Ever since Floyd has come out of retirement, he has turned up the level of egotistic discrimination. At first, “Money May” turned his focus toward Manny Pacquiao. But that wasn’t enough for him.
He then questioned if all non-American athletes were cheaters and liars? And if that weren’t enough, he then discriminated against Filipino reporters and put his hands on another reporter. The question needs to be asked. “Is it time to start boycotting his fights?” Let’s examine further.
Racism
Floyd Jr and the rest of the Mayweathers have gone out of their way to attack Manny Pacquiao. They accuse him of being a cheater and a drug user without any proof. Then they say he’s taking A-side Meth like the Filipino soldiers used to take. Once again, they don’t have any proof for either.
Then “Money May” accuses Manny Pacquiao of being a cheater and liar because he’s not American. Thus, implying that foreign athletes are liars and cheaters. And then Floyd completely ignored Filipino reporters during the last leg of the Press Tour and treated them like second class citizens.
Floyd Jr’s people can try and say that they didn’t ignore the Filipino media but then why did GBP CEO Richard Schaefer come out and say that they don’t pay any attention to secondary sites. It’s fine if he wants to bash on Examiner.com. But then how does he take some of the top Filipino news sources and classify them as secondary? It’s clear that the Mayweather family and GBP look down upon Filipinos and Pacquiao fans from their hypocritical high horses.
Floyd has a history of assaulting women, flashing guns, involved in shooting incidents, and tax evasion just to name a few. He’s been in front of a judge about as many times as he has fought professionally.
Let’s also not forget that Floyd Sr is a convicted felon and Roger Mayweather currently faces charges for assaulting a woman. The entire Mayweather Boxing clan has a rap sheet, yet they constantly attack Pacquiao with their lynch mob mentality.
Conclusion
Amy Hammond Sacramento, CA “What do you think about the idea of boycotting Floyd’s fights?”
I think it’s a great idea if you are done tolerating the antics from Floyd Jr and the rest of his criminal clan. I personally think he is a racist, a criminal, and has truly started acting like he’s lost his mind. I can see how people would want to boycott his fights. I can’t disagree with anyone who does. Floyd Jr deserves it. He has no respect for anyone including the fans. Why pay your “hard earned” money for someone that treats everyone like they are beneath him? Why support a person who spits in your face as he empties your wallet?
So, I ask all you readers “Is it time to start boycotting Floyd Jr fights?”
The so-called brawl between Mayweather and Mosley was nothing more than two girls holding hands. For two guys who supposedly despise each other, this physical encounter was lame. I’ve seen Girl Scouts put up better fights when trying to establish their territories for selling cookies than this hand holding script.
You’d think after 10 years of badmouthing each other there would be more than just some hand grabbing and arm swiping. You’d think after all the bad things that Mayweather said about Mosley, that Shane would have been more aggressive and less passive.
Shane seemed to be smiling during the encounter. Perhaps, Mayweather should have called Mosley “ignorant” and then we would have had a proper brawl just like Ali and Frazier.
Mayweather and Mosley should take a lesson from the following video where Ali and Frazier really put doubt in the minds of fight fans when they had their epic in-studio brawl back in 1974 during Wide World of Sports with Howard Cosell.
Fast forward to the 5 minute mark and watch how two all-time greats sell a feud.
I actually lost interest in the fight after watching the encounter with Mosley and Mayweather. At least in the WWE they keep you interested with their “scripted” physical encounters. You’d think that Mayweather would have learned this from his time in the WWE. Perhaps, Golden Boy Promotions should bring in Vince McMahon to promote the next two press conferences. At least then, we would get some “scripted” action that would put the girl scouts to shame.
Dylan Munson Sacramento, CA “Mayweather and Mosley should be ashamed of themselves for their scripted brawl.”
Dylan, I actually agree with you. It was bad. I remember when I first started training in Pro-Wrestling and I saw these two young kids get in the ring and start emulating their fathers (Tonga Kid and Rikishi). These young kids made Shane and Floyd’s brawl look like patty-cake.
April Williams Sacramento, CA “Do you think there will be another physical encounter between Shane and Floyd at their next press conference?”
I really hope not. Unless, Mayweather calls up HHH and asks him how to put on a proper “scripted” encounter.
Phillip Roberts Roseville, CA “Did this brawl hurt or help the Mayweather vs. Mosley fight?”
I think it hurt the fight. But I also think that Floyd’s comments during his podium time more than made up for it. Love him or hate him, Floyd can talk up any encounter with a fighter because he just hypes himself and people will watch to see if Floyd will lose. I’m willing to bet a lot of people will be watching this fight with the hopes that Mosley knocks out Floyd.
The Mayweather-Mosley fight at the Las Vegas MGM Grand was signed only after the mega-fight between Mayweather and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao collapsed.
Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) bristles at the idea that he was an afterthought, having long sought a fight against either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
“I was waiting for a year to fight either one of these guys,” the WBA welterweight champion said softly. “Did they care if I was going to wait? No. But it’s the fans who are going to benefit from this fight.”
“I don’t play. I give 100 percent. I’m going to give everything that I have. Mayweather knows that.”
The 38-year-old Mosley was nattily attired in a charcoal gray suit, with a light-green shirt and a green floral tie. He glanced at Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), who was casually dressed in a sweatsuit.
Mayweather, 33, laughed with fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Each signature was accompanied with an insult lobbed toward Mosley.
Mosley shrugged and said: “I’m going to knock him out. I can’t wait to get into the ring and dig my teeth into Mayweather. It’s going to be the fight of the decade.”
The drug accusations are again coming thick and fast toward pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, and as usual the Mayweather clan are at the forefront.
Last week Floyd Sr. commented about how he thought Pacquiao was taking a military drug that made him numb to pain and immune to bullets.
His erstwhile and even less coherent brother Roger than last night made a similar inflammatory speech than the one he gave in the past. Claiming that Pacquiao was taking A-side meth which made him bulletproof and that he was scared of being tested as a result.
The full show can be listened to here:BoxingTruth, and contains such fascinating insights as:
“If Manny Pacquiao wanted to fight, he would have taken the fight already. He didn’t fight because number one, he didn’t want to take the test. Any time a guy don’t want to make $100 million dollars, that tells you right there he got s*** illegal in him anyway,”
“I know what that mother****** got. He’s got that A-side meth. You can look it up on the internet. How else is a guy going to turn down $100 million mother******* dollars?”
Compelling stuff.
What you may be shocked to hear is that beyond all the babbling and expletives, there is a historical aspect to some of the Mayweather’s hate filled rambles. It doesn’t support them or their accusations exactly, but it does explain where they perhaps got the ideas.
The following is an excerpt sent to me by an eagle eyed and historically astute paclander by the name of Merito:
“Good day Sir. I am a Filipino and avid reader of your articles. I like what and how you write for you explain point by point every aspect of it. I read your article about Mayweather, Sr. commenting that Manny is on something like a magical drug being used by the army or Filipinos 500 years ago when they are fighting the Americans here.
Actually what he is saying about the Filipinos back then, historically is half-true. Mayweather, Sr. is probably talking about our Muslim brothers from the islands of Mindanao. They are the kris-wielding juramentados of Mindanao who fought the American soldiers back then. They don’t die easily. One or two .38 bullets would not disable these warriors. It would need multiple bullets to disable and kill these juramentados. The juramentados are not on drugs. American soldiers back then thought they were on drugs because they cannot kill or disable them with one shot unless of course if hit on the head or the heart that would kill them instantly. This is the very reason why the Colt .45 was invented. The Americans created the Colt .45 solely for this purpose — to kill the juramentados instantly.
As I have said, these juramentados are not on drugs. Before they go to battle, they perform rituals just like a suicide bomber of today. The difference with the suicide bomber of today and the juramentados is that the juramentados during their rituals would tie, as in literally tie all the vital points of their whole bodies from the head down to the toes with ropes or strong cloths. They could take one or two bullets because all the knots tied to their body would cause numbness to their bodies, virtually feeling no or less pain. To you sir, mabuhay! and Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino. Thank you and God bless”
Of course tying everything in knots would probably limit Pacquiao’s movement a lot, not to mention he might struggle to make weight if he was wearing lots of extra cloth, but I don’t imagine Mayweather Sr. and Roger looked this all up before making their statements.
Bernie Walker, Pittsburgh PA:“I’m still on Floyd’s side on this one, but his father and uncle are hardly helping his cause. Rather than commenting on real performance enhancing drugs they both talk about magical drugs from hundreds of years ago? Floyd needs to cut them off if he wants people to take his side on this one”
Bernie, is your faith in Floyd Jr. finally cracking?
Matthew Nash, Pittsburgh PA:“It’s not strange to me that the Mayweathers would say all this stuff without checking the facts behind it”
George Cameron Harrisburg PA:“Doesn’t Floyd realize that his relatives are making him look like a laughing stock to the rest of the boxing world?”
It seems despite the fact that they are both damaging Floyd Jr’s credibility, both of the senior Mayweathers seem to like riling people up and getting a reaction. Part of it might just be that they cant believe Pacquiao is still tearing through opponents despite the weight climbing. But a lot of the all time greats were able to be successful at multiple weights, so it shouldn’t really come as that much fo a surprise.
The verbal onslaught from the Mayweathers toward Manny Pacquiao has gone beyond the norm of trash talking. In my opinion, it has become an embarrassment to the sport of Boxing. Every day one of the Mayweathers is accusing Manny of something in their personal attacks through the media. Let’s examine further.
The verbal onslaught from the Mayweathers toward Manny Pacquiao has gone beyond the norm of trash talking. In my opinion, it has become an embarrassment to the sport of Boxing. Every day one of the Mayweathers is accusing Manny of something in their personal attacks through the media. Let’s examine further.
Roger Mayweather
“Manny Pacquiao fight didn’t happen because that motherf**ker didn’t want to take that test. He didn’t want to take that Olympic style drug test. That’s why, because he knows that he’s got sh*t in his system. I know what he’s got in his system though. I know what that motherf**ker got. He’s got that A-side meth. You can look it up on the internet. How else is a guy going to turn down $100 million motherf**king dollars? Let’s say it’s $75 million or $60 million, that’s still more money than he’s made in his whole motherf**king life.” Roger Mayweather, Boxingscene.com
Floyd Mayweather Sr
“He aint scared of no damn Pacquaio. He can’t even fight. Pacquiao knows little Floyd will whoop him. Floyd will fight him anytime, any place, anywhere. He wouldn’t be able to beat any of the guys without enhancement drugs.”
“It’s not a steroid. It’s something from the Philippines. Something they use in the army. When you hit the guy with a .45 or a .38 and they keep coming after they get shot. Whatever it is it has to be something strong for you to keep coming forward after you get shot.”Floyd Sr, Boxingscene.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr
“We got athletes that live in our own country that lie to the American citizens about taking certain enhancement drugs. Now, Manny Pacquiao is not even from this country and don’t even live in this country so imagine what he will tell the American people.”FMJ, Allhiphop.com
Within the last week, Manny has been accused of the following:
Being a liar because he’s not American
Being on A-side Meth
Not being a good fighter
Being scared to fight Mayweather Jr
Being afraid to take drug tests
They Mayweathers have clearly demonstrated that they have no concern for the defamation suit that Manny filed against the, The Mayweathers, who are no strangers to criminal activities, have waged a war against Manny that hasn’t been seen before in the sport of Boxing. It has gotten so bad that even one of their former “bedfellows” has started distancing himself from the Mayweather clan.
Currnet CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Richard Schaefer has come out and publicly denounced Mayweather Sr and his “idiotic” comments:
“I think the comments are wrong that he’s [Mayweather Sr.] making. He should move on too. I don’t control what other people say. I don’t control what Arum says, or what Mayweather says. I only control what I say, and I say innocent until proven guilty. The comments that Mayweather Sr. is making are idiotic. There is only one word – idiotic.” Schaefer, Boxingscene.com
Jeremy Boone Sacrament, CA “Why do the Mayweathers constantly attack Manny?”
I think that’s a question only their shrinks can answer. They are like a pack of hyenas. They just attack without any validity in their comments. They make terrible accusations that are extremely destructive. This has gone beyond the resolution of a boxing match. This situation will be resolved through legal channels.
Katie McWilliams Elk Grove, CA “Will this bashing of Manny stop anytime soon?”
I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. Mayweather Jr has a fight with HOF bound Shane Mosley in 2 months and he spends more time talking about Manny. This verbal onslaught won’t end until either the judge rules in favor of Manny’s defamation suit or the entire Mayweather clan ends up in jail. If I had to place my bet, I’d place it on the Mayweathers ending up in jail.
Conclusion
The Mayweathers have truly become an embarrassment to the sport of Boxing with their malicious attack on Pacquiao. If this were in another sport like the NFL, Commisssioner Goodell would have stopped this public berating a long time ago by punishing those for violating NFL Code of Conduct. It’s another reflection of how Boxing needs a unified governing body to control issues like this, drug testing, and more. But that’s an argument for another article.
Roger Mayweather
“Manny Pacquiao fight didn’t happen because that motherf**ker didn’t want to take that test. He didn’t want to take that Olympic style drug test. That’s why, because he knows that he’s got sh*t in his system. I know what he’s got in his system though. I know what that motherf**ker got. He’s got that A-side meth. You can look it up on the internet. How else is a guy going to turn down $100 million motherf**king dollars? Let’s say it’s $75 million or $60 million, that’s still more money than he’s made in his whole motherf**king life.” Roger Mayweather, Boxingscene.com
Floyd Mayweather Sr
“He aint scared of no damn Pacquaio. He can’t even fight. Pacquiao knows little Floyd will whoop him. Floyd will fight him anytime, any place, anywhere. He wouldn’t be able to beat any of the guys without enhancement drugs.”
“It’s not a steroid. It’s something from the Philippines. Something they use in the army. When you hit the guy with a .45 or a .38 and they keep coming after they get shot. Whatever it is it has to be something strong for you to keep coming forward after you get shot.”Floyd Sr, Boxingscene.com
Floyd Mayweather Jr
“We got athletes that live in our own country that lie to the American citizens about taking certain enhancement drugs. Now, Manny Pacquiao is not even from this country and don’t even live in this country so imagine what he will tell the American people.”FMJ, Allhiphop.com
Within the last week, Manny has been accused of the following:
Being a liar because he’s not American
Being on A-side Meth
Not being a good fighter
Being scared to fight Mayweather Jr
Being afraid to take drug tests
They Mayweathers have clearly demonstrated that they have no concern for the defamation suit that Manny filed against the, The Mayweathers, who are no strangers to criminal activities, have waged a war against Manny that hasn’t been seen before in the sport of Boxing. It has gotten so bad that even one of their former “bedfellows” has started distancing himself from the Mayweather clan.
Currnet CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Richard Schaefer has come out and publicly denounced Mayweather Sr and his “idiotic” comments:
“I think the comments are wrong that he’s [Mayweather Sr.] making. He should move on too. I don’t control what other people say. I don’t control what Arum says, or what Mayweather says. I only control what I say, and I say innocent until proven guilty. The comments that Mayweather Sr. is making are idiotic. There is only one word – idiotic.” Schaefer, Boxingscene.com
Jeremy Boone Sacrament, CA “Why do the Mayweathers constantly attack Manny?”
I think that’s a question only their shrinks can answer. They are like a pack of hyenas. They just attack without any validity in their comments. They make terrible accusations that are extremely destructive. This has gone beyond the resolution of a boxing match. This situation will be resolved through legal channels.
Katie McWilliams Elk Grove, CA “Will this bashing of Manny stop anytime soon?”
I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. Mayweather Jr has a fight with HOF bound Shane Mosley in 2 months and he spends more time talking about Manny. This verbal onslaught won’t end until either the judge rules in favor of Manny’s defamation suit or the entire Mayweather clan ends up in jail. If I had to place my bet, I’d place it on the Mayweathers ending up in jail.
Conclusion
The Mayweathers have truly become an embarrassment to the sport of Boxing with their malicious attack on Pacquiao. If this were in another sport like the NFL, Commisssioner Goodell would have stopped this public berating a long time ago by punishing those for violating NFL Code of Conduct. It’s another reflection of how Boxing needs a unified governing body to control issues like this, drug testing, and more. But that’s an argument for another article.
Yesterday, Floyd Mayweather Jr celebrated his 33rd birthday in probably “Money May” fashion. As one gets older, one tends to mature and become wiser. But, not Floyd Mayweather Jr. Age might slow down his physical attributes but age hasn’t slowed down Mayweather’s giant ego.
In a recent interview with the Grand Rapids Press, Floyd shared his thoughts on numerous topics. Clearly wisdom, maturity, and humbleness were not what he wished for as he blew out the birthday candles.
Sparring partners
“I don’t have to bring anybody in special. Other fighters are like, ‘Oh, I’m facing Floyd Mayweather,’ but to me, they’re just fighters. All of them are the same. They’re just fighters. They’re all just one-dimensional.” FMJ
Is this a sign of being overconfident in his fight with Mosley? Does he really think that nobody can come in and spar with him to better himself for Mosley? So Manny brings some really tough competition for sparring, but Floyd just shrugs it off? I think it’s clear who has more respect for their opponents.
Criticism of his past opponents
“They build these guys up so high, so high, once I beat them, they say, ‘Oh, he really wasn’t all that.’ Once I beat him, he’s not all that. But before I beat him, he was King Kong.” FMJ
I don’t recall many fighters that Floyd has faced who was hyped up as King Kong. However, if anyone does the “over the top” pre-fight hype it’s usually Floyd doing all the talking.
Floyd’s focus
“So my focus never changes — do what I do, be happy and stay positive.” FMJ
This happens to be one of the only things I can honestly agree with Floyd on. He always does what he can do to make himself happy. Let’s not forget how he says he only lives for himself and not for the fans. Floyd is all about Floyd. I wonder what he got himself for his birthday?
Janice Parker Sacramento, CA “What would you get Floyd for his birthday?”
Janice this is a very simple but entertaining question. I would probably get him a mirror so he can see how pretty he is; a microphone so he can continue to tell the world how pretty he is; and a superhero’s cape since he’s “Captain Drug Crusader” out to clean up all of the world’s sports. Or maybe just the sports that he bets on?
Luke Dillon Sacramento, CA “Will Floyd ever get over himself?”
In short, NO he won’t. How can he? He’s his own best friend. He talks about himself in third person like there’s another Floyd sitting right next to him.
Conclusion
Floyd is all about having his cake and eating it too. It’s no surprise that not even age can slow down his massive ego. It’s clear that delusions run deep through that family.
The boxing world was shocked that a fight between the top two boxers today, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., went kaput over disagreement on how to conduct the Olympic style drug testing demanded by the latter.
Manny has expressed anger over accusations or insinuations, mostly from Team Mayweather that his incredible success in the ring of late was aided by performance enhancing drugs.
His statements in the media and the defamation suit he filed against those he perceives responsible is a proof of his sentiment on this.
What is not played up in the media, however, is how Floyd was the more incensed of the two that the March 13, 2010 bout did not happen.
Floyd was looking forward to his biggest payday and perhaps his greatest achievement in the ring after laying out a brilliant idea and game plan on how to ensure victory against Manny.
Not that he did see he can easily beat Manny as rumors coming out from his camp early on seem to indicate he is scared to fight the Filipino champion who just scored devastating victories over Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in succession in a span of one year.
But Team Mayweather’s research and study of Pacquiao’s previous fights, particularly the ones he lost, may have given them an idea on how to have a much-needed crucial advantage come fight night.
What followed were the accusations and insinuations made in the media of Pacquiao possibly on steroids or PEDs before the negotiations and then Floyd, the usually demanding fighter immediately agreeing for a fight with Manny on even terms, easily approving the other fighter’s demand like purse split, use of gloves, even the staggering $10 million per pound penalty for over weight.
Then as everyone in the sport has become ecstatic and looking forward to the event, Floyd unleashed his ace, a seeming simple request for both of them to undergo Olympic style random blood testing.
The undefeated American did not foresee Manny walking away from the mega buck mega fight and was thinking the Filipino boxing superstar would be forced to accept his terms.
But as things have turned out, even a potential $40 million earning can’t make Manny agree on the so called blood testing scheme that’s just a cover for their strategy to put the Filipino fighter in a weakened physical condition like he was during his first bout with Mexican Erik Morales.
And so two months after the aborted megabout and after Pacquiao moved on to face another tough challenge in African Joshua Clottey, Mayweather Jr. is still furious because not only did the biggest payday of his life went down the drain, he was forced to fight another tough welterweight champion in Shane Mosley for much less.
And so don’t be surprised that even if Floyd is supposed to hype his coming fight with Mosley, he’d rather talk about Manny, unfavorably, of course.
I’m sure you’ve heard it plenty of times before. It started from Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s camp down to Teddy Atlas and now the die-hard Mayweather fans and brownnosers. And the question goes, “Why would Manny Pacquiao throw away 50 million dollars over some blood tests?”
Usually that question is followed by a statement pointing out that if any person would be offered a huge amount of money to do his job and turn it down over some blood tests that there is something wrong with that person. And the prestige goes, “So why won’t Pacquiao just take the tests?”
Order in the court of truth! Judge dSource is now presiding over this case that has been blown out of proportion in the court of public opinion and press manipulation.
Let’s lay down facts shall we.
It’s been several months since Floyd Mayweather Sr., the convicted drug smuggler, former trainer of Money Mayweather, first made his steroids accusations public and yet Team Mayweather has failed to proved any form of tangible proof that would implicate Pacquiao other thank Roger Mayweather’s Philippine history lecture on how bullets used to bounce off Filipino soldiers 500 years ago because they were on a drug called A-Side Meth. And I quote in the exclusive I first published at the Examiner, Roger said “they (the Filipinos soldiers) weren’t even dying.”
Pacquiao has no ties with the people Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were connected with. No history of any failed tests that were administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The same tests and commission that caught fighters like Fernando Vargas riding dirty. I repeat, there’s been no evidence of Pacquiao’s doping, no connections with shady people and nothing except a Roger Mayweather fictional tale. I say fictional because America didn’t even exist 500 years ago so how in the world will they try to invade the Philippines on top of drugs causing bullets to bounce and people not dying? Must be watching too much of that Twilight crap Roger.
But there’s much evidence on the fact that Pacquiao has had a history with blood tests and felt weak afterwards. I have written at length in the past on that topic, you can click this link if you want to read it.
And so the real deal is, Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned his back on 50 million dollars because of an urban legend from Uncle Roger? Okay, let’s incorporate all their other baseless assertions like Pacquiao’s getting bigger and him not getting knocked out by Cotto and saying he is knocking out people since he climbed upwards of 130. Fact is, Pacquiao was knocking people out before he turned 130 and that his overall weight gain in the past 5 years is about 4 pounds. Again you want to read facts about that,
So who turns his back on 50 million dollars based on baseless hunches and made up rules and demands not being given in to? If you were to be paid a lot of money to work at a place where there are baseless rumors about, would you walk away from it? And the prestige: “Why won’s Floyd just fight Pacquiao like he did everybody else?” Again, I got 3 letters for you.. K.. F.. C.
Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-34800.html
In a recent interview, Freddie Roach shared with the public how the allegations of steroids had really affected Manny Pacquiao. Roach described this experience as a first for him and Manny. Let’s examine these comments further.
Sharon Jones Sacramento, CA “How has the steroids accusations affected Manny Pacquiao?”
“He’s got a reputation, of course, and it’s the first time I’ve seen Manny angry at another fighter. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him like that.” Freddie Roach, FoxNews.com
In Roach’s own words, Manny was angry. It was the first time he’s ever seen Manny get angry at another fighter. I don’t see how that would bode well for Mayweather if they ever fought. Manny goes into fights without anger, imagine what it would be like if he actually disliked his opponent. I think he would destroy that opponent.
think this is another reason why Roach made the challenge to Floyd to fight for free, winner takes all. Because it really did frustrate Team PacMan and the only way to truly shut up Floyd would be to make this challenge. Notice how Floyd or GBP have not even commented on “Roach’s Challenge” yet.
Roach went on to also discuss the pending lawsuit that Manny has against the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions.
“Pretty much the allegations are unproven and there’s a lawsuit pending and I think he’ll lose that lawsuit. You can’t go around saying stuff like that without evidence.” Freddie Roach, FoxNews.com
Brian Hilton Fair Oaks, CA “Are there any updates on the defamation lawsuit?”
Ok here’s all I have so far in response to the lawsuit. I have personally emailed Manny’s attorney and have not heard anything back. So, I placed a call to his law office in the Los Angeles are and left a voice message. I also spoke to his secretary but she was unable to provide me any updates. So, until Manny or his attorney Dan Petrocelli makes an official comment, we are in the dark. If anyone has heard of any updates through others sources, please forward it to me so I may check it out. Otherwise, I will post an article as soon as I can pin down Dan Petrocelli.
Conclusion
Can you really blame Manny for being angry? He was attacked and publicly embarrassed with unfounded accusations by the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions. He was treated like a common criminal. This should upset any decent human being. Hopefully, Manny will have the opportunity to win in the ring or in court against Floyd to get some measure of justice.
Out of all the fighters out there in and around Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s weight division, Manny Pacquiao has the best chance of beating him.
Stylistically, Manny matches up well against Mayweather. If you take a look at the Floyd Mayweather Jr./Zab Judah fight, you’ll notice how Judah caught Mayweather with some good shots early on and in the middle stages of the fight. Zab Judah, like Manny Pacquiao is a south-paw with speed. But unlike Manny, Judah doesn’t have the stamina, chin or discipline.
Judah’s best weapon in that fight was the left hand – a punch Manny Pacquiao lands often against his opponents. There is no doubt that Manny would be landing a few of these powerful left hands on Mayweather’s chin in the course of the fight; how many can Floyd Mayweather absorb before he falls? Or the better question probably is, can Mayweather avoid the left hand all night? Possible. But doubtful.
Mayweather has a great defense, but Pacquiao has the offensive firepower, speed, activity and stamina to capitalize. Even if Manny doesn’t stop Mayweather, he certainly has the aggression and overall style to make it difficult for Mayweather, possibly out pointing Floyd in a close fight. Remember, most judges will favor aggression and activity. There is no doubt in my mind Manny will be more active, the only question will be how effective he will be.
It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that Manny Pacquiao WILL beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. if these two fight – I see a slight edge in favor of Manny – and that’s the reason why this fight is so attractive… but if anyone can beat Mayweather, it’s Manny Pacquiao!
Don’t miss what the always controversial James Toney had to say about a potential fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.!
James Toney: “I grew up with Floyd Mayweather… we all came from the same block in Michigan. Me, the Mayweather family, Buster Mathis, Tony Tucker… The ‘Hall of Fame’ block, you know what I’m sayin? I love Floyd and I’m glad he’s doing what he’s doing… but if you claim to be the best fighter in the world in the world pound-for-pound… fight! Don’t make no excuses.”
“Pacquiao’s going to knock Floyd out… and Floyd knows it. Floyd’s my man and I love him but I’m going to call it like I see it. The thing is this: Do you know what a rabbit does when it gets backed into a corner? It faints. And that’s what Floyd’s doing.”
In a startling announcement from Manny’s famed trainer Freddie Roach, the PacMan would be willing to fight Mayweather Jr for free with the winner getting the entire purse. Yes, that’s exactly what Freddie told the media. But would Floyd accept this challenge?
“We’ll fight him for free. Winner take all.”Freddie Roach, KTLA.com.
Christopher Mayes Sacramento, CA “What do you think of the challenge that Roach made to Floyd?”
Some say it’s a media chess match between the camps of Manny and Floyd. Well, with the latest quote from Freddie, Manny’s camp just put Floyd in “check”. Now the question is, “how will Floyd respond?”
Al Williams Sacramento, CA “Does Floyd just simply ignore this challenge from Roach?”
Unless Floyd can spin this scenario into something that makes him look good, then I think he will ignore this challenge from Roach. However, if he does ignore it, then Roach and Manny’s camp need to go in for the kill with this like a shark that smells blood in the water.
This challenge is a perfect media shot that will bring the “public pressure” back on Floyd. When Floyd and his “thugs” tried to smear Manny in the media by accusing him of taking PEDs, it did put a lot of “public pressure” on Manny. Pacquiao has had to defend his innocence and file a defamation suit. It was an effective strategy by the Mayweather camp because Manny’s public image did take a small hit. But now, Freddie’s challenge will turn things around for Manny and Mayweather will once again feel the brunt of criticism.
Once the public starts chewing over what Roach said, they will start calling for an answer from Mayweather. The longer Floyd “runs” from this challenge the more foolish he would look and then his critics can jump up and shout “See, he’s always been scared to fight Manny.”
Folks, Roach’s challenge was ‘Brilliant’. He took it to Mayweather on the stage that Mayweather has made his personal playground, the media.
Mayweather recently said that it’s not about the money that it’s about an equal playing field; well let’s see if he will truly stand by those words when he realizes that he has a chance to make around $100 million if he were to win “Roach’s Challenge”.
Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to terms for a welterweight super fight, Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe said Friday. Later Friday, Mosley signed his contract in Las Vegas, Mosley’s attorney Judd Burstein told ESPN.com.
“Shane has signed. I sat with him [Friday] and we went through every provision of the contract and he signed,” Burstein said. “He is excited to move forward with the bout.”
Mayweather
Mosley
Mosley will defend his welterweight title against Mayweather on May 1 on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather’s signature is a formality, according to Burstein and Ellerbe.
“I confirmed with Leonard [on Friday night] that there are no issues,” Burstein said.
“All of the deal points have been agreed to,” Ellerbe said. “We still have to put pen to paper, but everything is agreed to. It’s with the lawyers. Shane is a great fighter, one of the best of his era, and so is Floyd. It’s going to be a great fight. It’s a fight fans have wanted to see for a long time.”
Ellerbe said that he expected Mayweather’s paperwork to be completed in the next few days with a formal announcement likely next week.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Mayweather has the option for an immediate rematch in the event he loses.
The fight came together after an unexpected turn of events.
First, Mayweather became available for a fight three weeks ago when negotiations with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao disintegrated. They had agreed to all terms for a March 13 fight that loomed as the biggest in boxing — except for a drug testing protocol.
They had agreed to random urine testing, but Mayweather also wanted random blood testing, even though that is not required under the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Pacquiao agreed only to three blood tests, but none within 24 days of the fight, and the third one immediately after the bout.
Mayweather has alluded to Pacquiao using performance-enhancing drugs, even though he has never produced any evidence, and Floyd Mayweather Sr. has outright said he believes Pacquiao uses.
The rancor over the drug testing issue caused the fight to fall apart and Pacquiao moved on. He will defend his version of the 147-pound title against former titlist Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Then Mosley became available two weeks ago. He was scheduled to meet Andre Berto in a title unification bout at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday night. However, Berto, a Haitian-American, withdrew from the bout after eight members of his extended family were killed in the earthquake in Haiti.
Immediately after the cancellation of Mosley-Berto, Mosley and Mayweather — the former welterweight champ and pound-for-pound king until giving up the mantle during a brief retirement — began negotiating.
“The negotiations were very cordial and went very smoothly,” Ellerbe said.
Mosley has agreed to undergo random blood and urine testing, as has Mayweather, Ellerbe said.
Mosley has admitted to using PEDs and was connected to the BALCO scandal. Although he publicly denied using PEDs for years, Mosley admitted during grand jury testimony, which was later released, that he used designer steroids “the clear” and “the cream” and injected himself with EPO, a blood oxygen enhancer, during the lead-up to his 2003 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. Mosley said he took the steroids unknowingly.
“Floyd only wants to be sure of an even playing field no matter who he fights,” Ellerbe said.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), a five-division champion, and Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), a three-division champion, have seemingly been on a collision course since the late 1990s, when Mosley was lightweight champion and Mayweather was junior lightweight champion.
Although their careers took different paths, talk of a potential fight heated back up in 2006 after Mosley’s two knockouts of Fernando Vargas, but talks never got too serious.
However, Mosley stepped up his call for a fight with Mayweather, 32, last year after Mayweather ended his 18-month retirement. After Mayweather easily beat lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a lopsided decision in September, Mosley crashed his post-fight interview in the ring and called him out to his face.
It didn’t look like Mosley would get the fight because two months later, Pacquiao knocked out Miguel Cotto and talks began for Pacquiao-Mayweather.
Mosley, 38, hasn’t fought since last January, when he upset Antonio Margarito to win his title via ninth-round knockout.
Is there a line that Mayweather won’t cross with his comments? If there is, someone please show me. Mayweather’s recent comments toward Shane Mosley were clearly below the belt. If this were in the ring, Mayweather would be penalized a point. Let’s examine his comments further:
“I don’t really like to speak on people’s personal business, because his personal life is his personal life, but he just went through a divorce, and sometimes going through a hard divorce can be very, very excruciating. It can cost a lot of money.” FMJ, Grand Rapids Press
“I don’t really like to speak on people’s personal business”
Janine Robbins Rocklin, CA “Doesn’t Mayweather always talk about people’s personal businesss?”
It’s hard to tell when Mayweather doesn’t talk about someone’s personal business. But his comments on Shane’s divorce are just completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Floyd knows no limits to his “gum bumping”. This guy just goes and goes until the cameras and the microphones shut off.
“It can cost a lot of money.”
Mayweather is obsessed with money and he thinks that Shane wants to fight him because Shane wants this one last big payday. So, Floyd uses Shane’s personal experiences with a divorce to be part of his argument that Shane needs the money. Are you kidding me? How many years has Shane wanted to fight Floyd? At least a decade went by with Shane saying he wanted to fight Floyd. But now, since Floyd finally agrees to a fight, he thinks that Shane is only doing it for the money. Life must be a lot easier for Mayweather when you live in your own little world.
Douglas Hansen Sacramento, CA “Is Floyd delusional?”
I think Floyd is truly lacking something upstairs because you just don’t attack a man because he’s going through a divorce. How many times can you recall pre-fight hype including one fighter talking about another fighter’s wife and their divorce? Outside of Mike Tyson saying that he wanted to eat another fighter’s children, these comments from Floyd rank up near the top of the list for things you just don’t say about another fighter during pre-fight hype.
Conclusion
These comments were truly below the belt. From this point forward the only thing I want to hear out of Floyd’s mouth is whether or not he will accept “Roach’s Challenge” and fight Manny for free.
Freddie Roach, trainer of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, is certainly intrigued with the possibility of a fight with Shane Mosley – if Mosley beats Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1 in Las Vegas.
Everyone involved, including Top Rank, who promote Pacquiao, are confident a fight with Mosley would be much easier to make than a fight with Mayweather. In the last few days, Mayweather has already been boasting about his contract demands if a Pacquiao fight is brought back on the table. Mosley has gone on the record with BoxingScene, and made it clear that he “doesn’t care about the random drug tests.” He wants to get Pacquiao in the ring at any cost.
“Last year I was willing to go down to 140-pounds to fight him and he turned around and took a fight with Miguel Cotto,” Mosley told BoxingScene.com.
Roach is honest when asked for his prediction on Mayweather-Mosley. He thinks Mayweather will box his way to a decision but he gives Molsey a very strong shot at the upset. Let’s not forget, Joshua Clottey is training hard to become the spoiler on March 13 when he challenges Pacquiao for his title at Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
“I think Mayweather will win a decision. Mosley has a good shot to beat him, and if Shane wins the fight, we’ll fight him. Manny will fight anyone. I’ve always liked Shane and I think it would be a good fight,” Roach told BoxingScene.com.
Once again, the world’s greatest boxer had to come out and set the record straight on blood testing. It’s not a matter of doing it, it’s a matter of when. Unfortunately, the non-stop criticism and false accusations from the Mayweathers and GBP have muddied the waters so much that Manny has to constantly answer questions about taking blood tests. Let’s examine Manny’s latest comments:
“I’m not against Blood testing. Just not the day of the fight. I’ve had that happen in the (first) Morales fight. I lost that fight and my body felt very weak. I don’t feel I recovered. That is why I don’t want blood testing close to the fight.” Manny Pacquiao, Fightfan.com
So, to all of the Manny critics, once again Manny has come out and publicly stated that he’s not against blood testing. He never was. It was all about the timeframe of when the tests would be taken. He truly believes that he had problems in his first fight with Morales due to the taking of blood so close to the fight. It’s time to stop all the ignorant comments that he’s afraid of taking the “$25 million dollar” test. If you critics are so willing to believe Mayweather’s comments in the media that Pacquiao is scared, then you have to believe Manny’s comments to the same media, that he’s willing to take blood tests. Otherwise, you critics are truly being like your idol Floyd, which is a hypocrite.
“I’m not disappointed because I know I’m not the one who didn’t want the fight and I have to defend myself.” Manny Pacquiao, Fightfan.com
It’s sad that we live in a country where a guy has to prove he’s innocent because another guy makes false accusations. Manny has never failed a drug test. In fact, Keith Kizer Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission specifically told me that “Manny Pacquiao has never failed a drug test in the state of Nevada” or anywhere else that he’s aware of. Manny has been fighting in the state of Nevada since 2001.
Why does Manny have to prove his innocence when he’s never been guilty? This country has gone backwards. It used to be “innocent until proven guilty”. It’s now become “guilty until proven innocent”.
Jenny Bronson Sacramento, CA “Why do people assume Manny’s guilty based on what Floyd says?” Jenny, because they are either die-hard Floyd fans, ignorant, anti-foreigners, hypocrites, or all of the above. Manny has no track record of being arrested or beating women like Floyd does. Manny doesn’t live the lifestyle of “money and fame” but one of “country and God”. It’s absurd the amount of time that Manny has to spend fighting off false accusations. This is also why he filed a defamation lawsuit.
Candice Robbins Sacramento, CA “Is there any truth to what Floyd says bout Manny not wanting to take the blood tests?” Candice, I hope this article answers your question. Manny is not afraid to take these blood tests. Hopefully, these false claims of Manny being scared can stop sooner rather than later. All we can do is constantly remind those who claim otherwise.
Floyd Mayweather is not especially intelligent but he understands he can’t beat Manny Pacquiao inside the ring, so he must embark on a smear campaign to try to defeat the Filipino outside the ring – in the arena of public opinion.
Floyd knows his fists and his skills are just not formidable enough to get the highly dangerous job done. He knows his mind is inferior and not smart enough to out-think Pacquiao under pressure. And Floyd realizes his will is not strong enough to subdue the ferocious intensity to win a 12-round boxing match against Pacquiao.
But there is a single quality where the dishonorable American pugilist does hold an advantage over Pacquiao: he has a bigger mouth which can tell repeated lies and mistruths without a sense of shame. As we know, if a lie is repeated enough, it will eventually be believed by many.
So that’s all Mayweather can do now – is use his mouth to try to do the job his frail fists and faltering confidence can not accomplish – defeat Pacquiao by spreading lies and falsehoods.
As you may have noticed, Mayweather has been hanging around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. The fork-tongued double-talker has double intentions – to promote his upcoming fight with Shane Mosley on May 1 and to discredit Manny Pacquiao in every possible way he can think of.
Mayweather wants you to believe Pacquiao is the one who pulled out of the fight in January because he wouldn’t agree to all of Floyd’s – NOT the Nevada State Commission’s – but Floyd’s personal demands for excessive random blood testing. But the little-known truth is, Mayweather advisor Al Haymon’s associate George Peterson told me the decision to cancel the Pacquiao-Floyd was made as far back as early December – obviously, because Team Mayweather concluded a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao was a “no win situation.” Yes, a severely brutal knockout loss at the fists of a smiling Asian man is a no-win situation indeed for an arrogant pretender like Mayweather.
As if ducking Pacquiao once wasn’t enough, after the Super Bowl and NBA All Star Game, now we have learned Mayweather aspires to duck Pacquiao again. Even if Pacquiao were to agree to Floyd’s 14-day random blood testing demands, that might not be enough now, says Floyd. And Floyd also stated that the 50-50 split may not work if Floyd-Mosley does bigger pay-per-view numbers than Pacquiao-Clottey.
Only the dim-witted wouldn’t be able to comprehend this is Floyd’s way to lay the foundation to duck Pacquiao for 2010 and perhaps the rest of his career.
Floyd may think he’s successfully pulled off the greatest duck in boxing history and that he has won the media war of words with the humble, quiet man from General Santos City. But one must understand that the mighty truth shall always destroy the ugly false.
“The lie of the emperor is always believed before the truth of the peasant.” -unknown
“If you bury the truth and bury it under the ground it will but grow and gather itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everthing it its way.” -Emile Zola
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it’s violently opposed. And third, it’s accepted as self-evident.” -Arthur Schopenauer
Over the last few months, rarely a day went by without Floyd Mayweather Jr making comments about Manny Pacquiao. Even today, if you scroll through Pacland for articles on Floyd Mayweather Jr, you will find some harsh comments from Floyd about Manny. There’s no other logical conclusion about these obsessive comments other than Floyd is jealous and here’s why:
What Shane Mosley fight? The first evidence of Floyd’s jealousy is the fact that he spends more time talking about Manny Pacquiao than he does his upcoming fight with Shane Mosley. You’d think Floyd would actually focus most of his energy on his fight with Mosley, who’s looking to knockout Floyd. Instead, Floyd continues to talk about drug tests and paydays that involve Manny Pacquiao.
Feb 6th 2010 – All roads lead to Floyd Mayweather. I don’t need Manny Pacquiao. For him to get his biggest payday he needs me. FMJ, Boxingscene.com
Feb 8th 2010 – “Manny Pacquiao didn’t want to take a 25 million dollar drug test. FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
Feb 13th 2010 – “Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15, or 17,” Mayweather said. “And you know me, they may have to throw that extra five or 10 on mine, and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it.” FMJ, Grand Rapids Press
Pound for Pound Best Fighter Sharon Collier Sacramento, CA “Rick do you think Floyd is jealous of Manny being the world’s pound for pound best fighter?”
Sharon, Floyd Mayweather is jealous of Pacquiao being rated the best pound for pound fighter in the world. When asked about it, he went off saying that people are entitled to their opinions but then says that he basically could care less what the fans think because he lives for himself. In another interview, Floyd goes on about how Manny has 3 losses and questions Manny’s greatness.
February 8th 2010 – “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I live my life the way I live my life and I’m happy with what I do. I live for Floyd Maywetaher. I don’t live for the fans.’ FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
February 6th – “How can you be indestructible with three losses and he’s been knocked out twice?” FMJ, Boxingscene.com
Manny is the People’s Champ Floyd is also extremely jealous of the fact that the public embraces Manny more now than Floyd. In fact, Manny has an entire country that shuts down for his fights, Floyd probably has an entire “Folsom prison block” shut down for his fights. Here’s Floyd’s view on life and here’s Manny’s view on life. You can clearly see why more people want to follow Manny.
February 8th 2010 – “I live for Floyd Mayweather. I don’t live for the fans. I love the fans but I live for myself. Self preservation is first. I must be happy first before I can make anybody else happy.” FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
February 4th, 2010 – “For me, it’s Boxing and God. I think what I have done in boxing is because of my sacrifices and my faith in God.” Manny Pacquiao, BoxingScene.com
Mainstream Attention Floyd is all about the hype. But it’s Manny who’s getting the Mainstream attention. For a guy like Floyd, this lack of mainstream attention probably kills him. You see, Manny doesn’t have to go to the Superbowl or to the NBA All-Star game to generate attention; Oh no no, Hollywood’s celebrities, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America are all coming to him.
February 7th, 2010 – “CBS is going to start shooting material next Sunday at Coach Freddie Roach’s funky Wild Card Gym. Good Morning America on the ABC network is also going to do something on Manny.” Bob Arum, interview with Michael Marley, Examiner.com
In addition to the big TV news shows, celebrities like Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jeremy Piven and Mark Wahlberg have all recently stopped by to pay their respects and show their support.
Davey Johnson Sacramento, Ca “Rick, with all the celebrities stopping by to see Manny, do you think anyone will stop by Mayweather’s training?” Danny, I think the only people who will stop by are criminal associates of the Mayweather clan and the defense attorney for Roger Mayweather.
What other things do you think Floyd Mayweather Jr is jealous of when it comes to Manny Pacquiao?
Maybe you missed the interoffice memo or the obituary notice.
But you’ve got to be, if you’re as inqusitive as I am, wondering who died and left Floyd Kill Joy Mayweather Jr. Boss?
I capitalize Boss, Bossman, Head Honcho, Grand Exalted Ruler and Dictator because this is how (self) important Mayweather is.
And, when I say that he is Da Boss with the Hot Sauce, I’m not only talking about his ultra busy Mayweather Promotions.
Among Mayweather’s grand delusions are that he is El Supremo, the Boss, of Everything.
He’s the head of Philthy Rich Records, a label whose roster of rap stars read like names taken from the guest register at your nearest Motel Six. I defy even the most ardent rapaholic to name one “talent” peforming under the Philthy Rich banner.
Guess Snoop Cat didn’t (litter) pan out. (That’s a joke, son, a joke.)
Mayweather is to random bloog testing crusade what Kim Il Johg, the not so funny fruticake who has North Korea on total locdown and its citizens eating one hot meal per day (a bowl of steam).
But as detailed in my adjacent column, Mayweather prefers to think of himself as a Malcolm X, a Dr. Martin Luther King were or what President Obama aspires to, an agent of societal uplift.
“Hope and change, change and hope.”
If he were a candidate for public office, that would be Mayweather’s campaign motto.
Oh, and lest you Pacmaniancs forget, L’il Floyd is also the Boss of Manny Pacquiao.
Top Rank/Chirs Farina Photo
I am basing much of this on Floyd’s latest diatribe, spoken to and duly recorded by his friendly hometown correspondent, David “Hold The” Mayo.
In Mayo’s Grand Rapids Press/Mlive.com piece, Mayweather tosses a bomb into the grave of the aborted in January negotiations for a humungous fight between he and Pacman.
Now, listening to Mayweather, you know that Mayweather doesn’t want his minions to broker a deal with Team Pacquiao, he wants to hold them hostage.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15, or 17,” Mayweather said. “And you know me, they may have to throw that extra five or 10 on mine, and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it.”
As a convenient excuse for this reversal of position, Mayweather said he will base that on his May 1 bout with Sugar Shane Mosley faring better in terms of PPV numbers than the March 13 between Pacquiao, a Filipino, and Joshua Clottey, who comes from Ghana.
See what an “all American” fellow Floyd is now?
Just as I predicted in writing on Feb. 8, after the first try to make the mega bout failed, Mayweather has taken the 50-50 split of all revenue off the table. I predicted that the money fight will cast a giant shadow if they try to put the fight together down the line and will be a bigger issue than blood vials and sharp needles.
Now, instead of the righteous even steven money split between two superstars who tower above their competitors, Mayweather is saying he will penalize Pacman from five to 10 million dollars because he didn’t roll over in round one of their talks.
I really hate to blow my own horn here, but if I don’t there may be no music so see what I penned as to this just seven days ago:
“In a saner world, you could logically deduce that making the mega match would be easier with only one pesky issue, the unbending Mayweather demand for totally random blood testing, to be battled back and forth.
But this is Bizarro World, this is boxing and, while I hate to be the nattering nabob of negativity, I think the second round of negotiations will be more difficult.
Let’s start with this premise, that the 50-50 revenue split has gone out the window because I think it has.
All bets from Round One are scratched.
Think of Pacman’s March 13 bout with I’m Not Joshing Clottey and Money’s May 1 Sugar Free Mosley fight as being like primary elections.”
Reviewing that makes me feel like Madame Auring or Larry Ellison, you know an oracle.
Mayweather is trying to turn his hated former promoter, Bob Arum, into a eununch.
And he’s doing it now when both he and Megamanny have prior business to handle at their offices.
Ask yourself, especially you devoted Floyd fans. why would he flip the script on the money now?
Instead trying to smooth the path to Pacquiao, he is erecting artificial barriers.
He’s like a guy who has a pebble stuck in his shoe and tries to remove it with a rock.
There really is only one answer for such public posturing and I suppose I can spell it for you slow readers and not so nimble thinkers.
Mayweather, the sport’s best boxer, does not want to fight the sport’s best fighter, Pacquiao.
I guess he doesn’t like to duke it out with employees.
The trash-talking former holder of the mythical title of pound-for-pound king went on the offensive over the weekend, expressing his wonder to his hometown paper – the Grand Rapids Press – why Manny Pacquiao would not agree to “a $25 million drug test.”
Still resentful about the collapse of the lucrative bout with Pacquiao, Mayweather said that if their camps revive talks about a matchup in the next few months, the Filipino will have to agree to get less of the money at stake especially if his May 1 fight with Shane Mosley fares better than Pacquiao’s March 13 bout with Joshua Clottey.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15 or 17 and you know me, they have to throw that extra 5 or ten on mine and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it,” said Mayweather.
Pacquiao and Mayweather appeared on their way to agreeing on a deal but Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo random blood testing to level the playing field even though Pacquiao has never failed a drug test ever.
While Mayweather insists that he is not accusing Pacquiao of somebody who uses performance-enhancing drugs, the American fighter sounds off that the current pound-for-pound king is guilty.
“The thing is this: I’ve never seen a guy who didn’t want to take a $25 million drug test. If you’re clean, take the drug test.”
Mayweather lamented the fact that he had agreed to an unheard-of demand by Pacquiao on the issue of penalties on excess weight.
“In my clause, he told me if you would weigh over 147 I had to pay him $10 million for each pound. I agreed but he didn’t agree to my terms and we both would have had to take tests. It wasn’t just steered toward him. It was both me and him.”
Stung by Mayweather’s nasty accusation, Pacquiao has filed a defamation lawsuit against him as well as the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is right on track in his preparation against Clottey even though he took a break when he traveled to Las Vegas to throw his support behind the Filipino fighters who fought there.
Pacquiao told a Manila-based station covering the fight at ringside that he didn’t find it hard to regain his old fiery form because he was coming off a big fight.
Over at Clottey’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Ghana banger is said to be awesome as well during sparring sessions, his chief handler Vinny Scolpino told ace fight scribe Mike Marley.
“He’s on target, he’s beating the crap out of people in sparring and I would say he is definitely on his A game,” said Scolpino.
Manny Pacquiao has been the consensus number one pound for pound fighter in the world for the past couple of years now and has few rivals. When he either retires or gets beaten though, there will no doubt be new names vying for the top position in the sport.
In the immediate future, the only real contender there appears to be if Floyd Mayweather Jr. who has been at the top of the rankings before. His only path back to the top would probably be to get through Pacquiao though which could be problematic given the result of the last time the pair tried to put a fight together.
Should they come to terms in the future though, and should Mayweather win, which he was an early favorite to do, then he would once again top the list. Someone like Mosley or even Josh Clottey might beat Pacquiao, but have too many losses on their records for much to be made of it outside the welterweight division. Not to mention they have size and strength advantages against Pacquiao anyway.
Bernie Walker, Pittsburgh PA: “Pacquiao’s fans will all be crying when their little roid monster gets picked apart by a real boxer like Floyd Mayweather. He might have balut (aka drug) power but he won’t catch Mayweather all night long, if he don’t back out of the fight again”
(Scott: Bernie, I would advise you not say any of that stuff out loud if you find yourself in the Philippines anytime soon.)
Fellow Freddie Roach disciple and now latest Golden Boy signing Amir Khan is a fighter tipped for great things by many. Coming from an Olympic silver medal and now boasting a record of 22-1 and the WBA light welterweight title, Khan looks to be going places. Reportedly he even gets the better of Pacquiao sometimes in training when the pair are sparring, although of course this isn’t much of an indication of how a real fight would go.
Khan is unquestionably still a work in progress at the moment, and although he has almost every tool he needs for greatness, he has yet to face any top fighters. This might change in May when he fights in America for the first time, as he will look to quickly build up his name with a marquee opponent, and that means a big step up in skill as well.
Amir and Manny are said to be friends, and coming from the same gym are very unlikely to fight each other. By the time Khan is ready for someone of Pacquiao’s caliber, not to mention weight class, Manny will probably have retired anyway. Someday though, so long as Khan continues to progress under Freddie Roach as much as he has already, he might make it to the top.
Eric Waters, Pittsburgh PA:“Khan isn’t the best out there, but he does have al the makings of a great champion in the future. He works with Freddie Roach, spars with Manny Pacquiao and has a great background from his amateur days”
Edwin Valero is another exciting fighter who many have pegged as an eventual successor to Manny Pacquiao, although the Venezuelan would prefer to fight him instead. Holding a slightly padded record of 27 wins and 27 KO’s, Valero nevertheless proved there is some substance to his hype with a one sided crushing of Antonio DeMarco last time out.
So Valero has the desire to keep climbing the divisions and taking belts from whoever he comes across, but does he have the skill?
Not so very long ago I would have said definitely not, but it seems there is a lot more to Valero than meets the eye. In his next few fights when he will again take on bigger, stronger opponents we will see just how good his skills are if his power doesn’t do the job for him. But it’s a case of so far so good from Valero overall.
Suntok, via email:“Valero’s record is impressive, but I don’t know if he really fought skilled fighters. Also can Valero move to the Welterweight division? If ever Pacquiao wins over Clottey I think the next step of Pacquiao is to fight the winner of the Mosley-Mayweather bout. If Valero will get lucky he would be getting a fight with Pacquiao in 2011. Nevertheless, we really can’t say who will win but it would all defend on skills in the welterweight division. Regards to all.”
At the moment then, outside of Floyd Mayweather, all Pacquiao’s other challengers look to be a couple of years away from being ready at the least. The chances are pretty good that Pacquiao will retire as the pound for pound champion. But who will take the reigns from him when he’s gone is an interesting thought.
NEW YORK (AP) — Shane Mosley bopped around the Super Bowl media center last week, chatting with anyone who wanted to listen about his upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. He seemed positively giddy as he stopped by radio row to talk about the serendipitous opportunity.
And after he departed sunny Miami for frigid New York, the smile still hadn’t left his face.
“This is not going to be personal for me, this is going to be fun for me,” he said Tuesday over lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. “This is like when I fought Oscar (De La Hoya) the first time. People told me, ‘Oh, you’re going to be afraid. Are you scared?’ No, no, this is what I want.
“It’s not going to be personal, I’m not going to be upset,” Mosley said. “I’m going to have fun. I’m going to have fun beating Mayweather.”
Two of the best 147-pounders in the world will meet May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in what is easily the biggest fight in boxing that doesn’t involve a Filipino fighter named Manny.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) is a five-division champion whose flamboyance has made him a crossover star, with interests as diverse as WWE’s “Wrestlemania” and “Dancing With the Stars.” He’s been involved in some of the richest fights in boxing, but is still hounded by critics who claim he’s never fought a true welterweight in their prime.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) is a three-division champion who has pursued Mayweather since the late 1990s, when they were both in lighter divisions. He’s faced just about every big name available, from De La Hoya to Antonio Margarito, but has dealt with his own critics after admitting to unknowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.
“It won’t be the fight of my life, but I just want to make a point that I’m the best fighter,” Mosley said. “There’s not a welterweight out there who can beat me. I don’t just want to talk about, I want to do it.”
After years or negotiations and the fight repeatedly falling through, Mosley and Mayweather wound up together in a sort of fortunate accident.
Mayweather was left looking for an opponent after acrimonious negotiations to fight Manny Pacquiao fell through and the pound-for-pound king signed to fight Josh Clottey instead. Mosley was supposed to face Andre Berto in a unification bout on Jan. 30, but Berto withdrew after the earthquake in Haiti killed several family members.
Even though Mayweather took his time signing the contract — leaving Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions on edge — everything officially came together last week.
“He was waiting for that opportunity for so long and finally it’s here. He couldn’t be happier,” Schaefer said. “Sometimes with those big fights, when you don’t try too hard they happen, and when you try too hard they don’t. You just have to let things fall into place.”
Another issue that needed to be overcome was the protocol for drug testing, which scuttled the proposed fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style testing and refused to budge off blood tests two weeks before the fight, while Pacquiao claimed he feels weak when he gives blood and refused to do so less than 24 days out.
Mosley readily agreed to blood testing, which is far more extensive than the normal urine tests that are required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“The people have in their mind that it’s Manny Pacquiao, it’s Mayweather, and everybody’s focusing on that,” Mosley said. “I’m coming through the backdoor and I’m going to make sure they know I’m here. This is my era, and I’m not going to let nobody take that from me.”
Sure, Pacquiao is considered by many the best fighter in the world regardless of weight. And others believe Mayweather is even better than him. But there is little disputing the resume that Mosley has put together, especially over the past few years.
After dropping a pair of close decisions to Winky Wright, Mosley rattled off five straight wins, beating Fernando Vargas twice and Luis Collazo for an interim belt. After losing another close decision, this time to Miguel Cotto, Mosley stopped Ricardo Mayorga to set up a showdown with feared puncher Antonio Margarito.
Mosley looked nothing like a 39-year-old fighter at Staples Center that night, battering Margarito from post to post before ending the fight in the ninth round.
“Put the guys I fought against the guys he fought and what happens?” Mayweather said, joining in the criticism of Mayweather’s opposition. “I fought guys that come into the ring at 172 (pounds), he fought guys that don’t even reach the 147-pound limit. I’m fighting guys that are taller and bigger than me in every way, and knocking them out.”
Considered one of the most affable fighters in the game, it’s little surprise that Mosley has trouble wiping that smile from his face. He stops mid-sentence to sign autographs and take photographs with fans, then gets right back to answer whatever question he was asked.
All the while, he wears a giant grin on his face.
And it’s never been bigger.
“He was down there for two days meeting with the media,” said HBO Sports vice president Mark Taffett, referring to the Super Bowl festivities in Miami. “He was simply phenomenal. He has the energy of a 20-year-old.”
MANILA, Philippines – The father of American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. criticized 7-division world champion Manny Pacquiao for dropping the Mayweather bout over a disagreement about Olympic-style drug testing.
In an interview, Floyd Mayweather, Sr. questioned Pacquiao’s argument that he would be weakened by the blood test if it was done so close to the fight. He said Pacquiao should have considered the amount of money being offered to the two boxers before refusing the fight.
“Who wouldn’t fight for that kind of money, unless they’re dumb, stupid and crazy. I think it was $40 million, something like that. They will both get that kind of money,” Floyd Mayweather, Sr. told Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.
He added: “They’re gonna fight. They’re not gonna take much blood out of you, talking that he gonna get weak before the fight. You’re gonna get weak after he tapped that ass so that’s what he is scared about.”
The controversial trainer said that the world does not care about the upcoming bout between Pacquiao and Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, which is scheduled on March 13– the same date of the bungled Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
He added, however, that he is not closing the door on a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout in the future.
Floyd Jr. earlier blamed Pacquiao for their fight’s collapse which was caused by their disagreement on the drug testing procedure.
The undefeated American told RadioPlanet.tv as quoted by FightHype.com: “The question that people want to know is why didn’t Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fight? It wasn’t my fault! I’m not duckin’ and dodgin’ nobody. 40 have came and 40 have came up short.”
Pacquiao already filed a defamation complaint against the Mayweathers and other members of their camp for alleging that he was taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Pacquiao is set to fight Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.
Floyd Jr., on the other hand, is scheduled to fight on May 1 against “Sugar” Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he and Pacquiao were supposed to face off. – With a report from Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
The Holy Grail of boxing is to be found deep inside the minds of the blood brotherhood and within that labyrinth the Pacman is defeating the Money Man without them throwing so much as a single punch at each other.
From the rooftops of the Las Vegas casinos in which he treats dollar bills like confetti, Floyd Mayweather Jr screams denial of Manny Pacquiao’s claim to be the supreme pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. But in the esteem of the congoscenti he is just whistling into the desert wind.
America’s boxing writers have spoken, voting Pacquiao as not only their fighter of the year but their boxer of the decade just ended.
Not only that, but 2009 represents the third time in four years that they have bestowed their Sugar Ray Robinson Trophy upon the Filipino phenomenon who has now won world titles in an unprecedented seven weight divisions.
In direct comparison, Pacquiao obliterated and concussed our own Ricky Hatton while Mayweather took longer to inflict an orthodox stoppage. But clearly the Pacman’s willingness to meet the toughest rivals virtually regardless of differential in poundage weighed most heavily on the ballot.
Pacquiao receives his latest awards at a New York dinner in June. By then, on March 13, he will have fought – and by most predictions defeated – Ghana’s dangerous world welterweight champion Joshua Clottey in the first boxing event to be staged in the Dallas Cowboys stadium.
Such is Pacquiao’s popularity that the venue will be configured for a 50,000 seat sell out. This, in the wake of his stunning 12th round KO of two time world champion Miguel Cotto last autumn which drew such huge crowds to the Strip that it is credited for kick-starting a post-recession recovery of the Las Vegas economy. Then, in May, Pacquiao is expected to win another election, this time for a seat in the Philippine congress.
Mayweather, meanwhile, will confine himself to his hometown Vegas and a May 1 encounter with the veteran Shane Mosley, which would have been one helluva fight had it taken place when the now 38-year-old Sugar Shane was five years younger.
While there is no doubting Mayweather’s mastery of the noble arts, this is in keeping with his apparent preference for taking on opponents who are either past their prime or smaller than himself.
Of course, the Pacman and the Money Man should be making an even more massive fortune by fighting each other. That match was made for next month and, naturally, each is blaming the other for its cancellation.
Mayweather called for constant dope testing. Pacquiao, who has no history in that regard, resented the insinuation that he was guilty of malpractice.
The terms of this dispute have been documented exhaustively and will be delved into yet deeper if and when Pacquiao’s libel action goes to court.
Only Mayweather can tells us whether it is really the undiminished punching power which the smaller Pacquiao, quite exceptionally, has carried up with him through the weight classes which is preying on his mind.
It does not convince us to the contrary when he keeps carping on about how his next fight will be subject to an Olympic-standard drugs regime. Not when Mosley has tested positive in the past.
But if Mayweather wants to challenge the Boxer of the Decade for the mytholgocial pound-for-pound title, there is only one place he can do so. He will have to meet Pacquiao face-to-face in the ring…and sooner rather than later.
That is the best news from our boxing writing colleagues in the US. By honouring the Pacman they apply moral pressure on the Money Man to meet that date with destiny, perhaps as early as September in what would be the first candidate for Fight of the new Decade.
‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley is attending Super Bowl week to promote his May 1 super fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and took the time to catch up with Yahoo Sports. See what he had to say as he prepares to defend his WBA welterweight title.
“It’s on for May 1. We’ve both signed. It’s a fight that should have happened a while ago and one the fans and the people want to see. This time Floyd isn’t fighting a lightweight or a junior welterweight… he’s fighting a real welterweight!”
“In my mind I wouldn’t say I’m the underdog. I’m going to take it to him I’m going to do what I’ve got to do. Mentally as fighters both Floyd and I know who’s who and what’s what. He’s not fighting the same fighters he has been coming up who’ve never seen it before. I have a lot of confidence and have been in this game a long time. I believe in myself and know I’m the best fighter out there.”
“I was in training getting ready for the Berto fight Jan. 30 but it didn’t happen because of the tragedy in Haiti. I sent my condolences to Andre and his family and then looked to move on.”
“Floyd is a very difficult fight. He’s a talented fighter. Even though the Berto fight was lined up, Floyd was really the fight I wanted so I’m excited that it worked out.”
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is currently attending Super Bowl week to promote his May 1 fight with Shane Mosley. Floyd spoke to England’s Sky Sports about his upcoming super fight and what he thinks of ‘Sugar’ Shane.
“I’m very excited to be fighting Shane. I’ve been taking it one day at a time hanging out with my team going over the game plan. I’m ready to get in to camp.”
“Shane and I have both been in the sport a long time and have tremendous backgrounds coming from boxing families. When you take the two and put them together you get a very exciting fight. I think Shane is basing everything on power and speed. It doesn’t work like that. I believe everything in life is timing and inches. It’s not just about being a defensive fighter. It’s about being a smart fighter.”
“I’m going to come in in top condition. Shane always looks in condition in his fights so I think it will be a great fight May 1.”
“My main focus is Shane Mosley. I know in the past Shane was caught using steroids and if he’s down with taking the random blood testing I’m all for that. I think random testing should be done in boxing and all sports all over the world. We need to clean up boxing and all sports. I’ve dominated the sport of boxing for years and done so in a very clean fashion.”
“There’s a rematch clause in the contract but I didn’t really think too much about that. If Shane is concerned with a rematch that’s his prerogative but I believe in getting things done the first go around so I don’t worry about the second time.”
Anxiety gave way to relief Wednesday when it was announced that Floyd Mayweather, Jr., had finally signed for a May 1 fight with Shane Mosley, whose promotional point man, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, sounded as though the wait for Mayweather’s signature was a little bit like anticipating a dental appointment.
As it turns out, it was routine, a mere formality. Let’s just hope it stays that way until opening bell at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand for a May Day of a fight that won’t generate as much money as Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao would have, but promises to be as good, if not better.
The temptation is to say thanks to Mayweather for a convincing counter to everybody who parrots Bob Arum’s criticism that he is afraid of any threat to his unbeaten record. Well, Mosley, a natural welterweight, is that threat, bigger on a tale of the tape than Pacquiao, a relative newcomer to 147 pounds.
But you can never be sure with Mayweather. Schaefer’s angst, reflected in various news reports, sums up the uncertainty about a fighter with wonderful talents, yet as hard to pin down as he is to hit. Mayweather’s unpredictability is good for HBO’s 24/7, but exasperating for everybody else, including media quick to report that Mayweather had not signed only four days after the agreement — complete with Mosley’s signature — was announced.
The delay, not matter how brief, was enough to make everybody wonder what Mayweather was up to now. Plenty of skepticism is left in the messy wake of failed negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, which won’t happen on March 13 because Pacquiao said no to Mayweather’s demand for random, Olympic-style blood-testing. Everybody has been blamed, which only means that nobody’s reputation escapes unscathed.
Mayweather and Mosley now are scheduled to be in south Florida Sunday for the Super Bowl Sunday. It’s an interesting setting. Mayweather-Pacquiao had been called boxing’s Super Bowl. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees will never have to explain why the Colts and Saints couldn’t agree to a game. I’m not sure Mayweather will be able to explain why he couldn’t agree on a fight with Pacquiao. But it is safe say he will hear the questions and I’m sure he will blame Pacquiao, although familiar trash-talk might be punctuated with caution because of a defamation lawsuit.
Mistrust is everywhere. Mayweather-Mosley represents a real chance to move on. But it won’t be easy. In just a few days, the familiar jitters were there with questions about when – indeed, if — Mayweather would sign. The abortive talks for Mayweather-Pacquiao are just the latest reason.
In September, there was weight-gate before, during and after Mayweather’s unanimous decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. At 146 pounds on the day before the fight, Mayweather failed to meet the catch weight, 144, and willingly wrote a check for $600,000 — $300,000 for each excess pound – to Marquez.
From a ringside seat the next night, Mayweather often looked like a middleweight, especially when his back was to me. I can’t help but think it was no coincidence that he refused to step on unofficial scales for HBO not long before opening bell. After the one-sided fight, he dissed anybody who wanted to know how he heavy he was.
There are some things Mayweather just doesn’t want anybody to know. No wonder Schaefer and many in the media were nervous.
Here’s a suggestion: Andre Berto withdrew from a bout on Jan 30 with Mosley because of concern for family caught in the Haitian earthquake. Tell Berto to stay in the gym. You never know.
NOTES, QUOTES
· According to various reports, Mayweather and Mosley will undergo Olympic-style drug testing. Given Mayweather’s demand in talks for Pacquiao, he will have to insist on the procedure from now on. For Mosley, it’s a significant step. He was linked to performance-enhancers years ago in testimony to a grand jury investigating Balco. What’s not clear is who will conduct the tests. The Nevada State Athletic Commission? The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency? And who will pay for the tests? The fighters? The promoters? The lousy economy would seem to preclude any state commission from taking on the expense.
· News from the World Boxing Association says it will investigate Beibut Shumenov’s controversial split decision over Gabriel Campillo for the light-heavyweight championship on Jan. 29 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. While the acronym is at it, how about a few questions asking how a fighter, Shumenov, with only 10 pro bouts could even qualify for a shot at so-called major title?
· Intriguing Jose Benavidez, a 17-year-old junior-welterweight from Phoenix, is scheduled for his second pro fight on Feb. 13 against an unannounced foe at the Las Vegas Hilton on a card, Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3, featuring super-flyweight Nonito Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) against Gerson Guerrero (43-8, 26 KOs). There’s been some hope that Benavidez could help resurrect a Phoenix market, mostly dormant since Arizona began to enforce tough immigration laws. “I’d really love to fight in Phoenix,’’ Benavidez said. “Hey, it’s my hometown.’’
· And kudos to Chad Dawson, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Top Rank for promises to help in the Haiti relief. Dawson said he has started Champions Challenge. He has invested $5,000 of his money has asked other champs to match it. Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, says he will donate his purse from a fight Friday night against Adolfo Landeros in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to the Children of Haiti Fund. Top Rank announced it is setting aside a percentage of ticket receipts for the earthquake victims.
For some Mayweather critics, hell has officially frozen over. Floyd Mayweather Jr has signed the contract to fight Shane Mosley on May 1st. A day that many people thought would never happen, has finally come. But, what took so long? For a fight that was a decade in the making, the contract signing felt like it almost took just as long. Why did it take Floyd so long to sign the contract?
Just 24 hours ago, Mosley and his attorney were threatening a lawsuit against Mayweather because he hadn’t signed the contract yet even though Mosley signed it last week and Floyd’s people were assuring it would be signed the very next day. This delay got so bad that even Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer publicly aired his frustrations and questioned Mayweather’s actions.
Fast forward to today and Mayweather signs the fight and then releases the following statement:
“This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately. I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat me.”
Sarah Daniels Sacramento, CA “If Mayweather truly wanted to fight Mosley immediately then why the delay?” Simply put, Mayweather didn’t truly want to fight Mosley. Like Shane Mosley said in a recent interview, Mayweather was forced into the fight. When Manny Pacquiao moved on to face Clottey, Mayweather was forced to move on to Mosley.
In my opinion, I believe Mayweather was just playing his selfish games in making every one wait. However, I think he signed today because Mosley’s people were ready to go to court. Floyd couldn’t risk going to court after already losing in the “court of public opinion” over who was at fault for the failed Mega fight.
This delay was just another way for everyone to be subject to Floyd’s egotistical desires and grandiose delusions of his self worth. That’s the only logical reason why Floyd took so long to sign since Mosley already agreed to every demand that Mayweather made. In the end, Mosley’s attorney Judd Burnstein said it best “he chooses to act like a 7-year-old”.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, is usually a calm, cool and collected sort. The former Swiss banker doesn’t get rattled easily.
Tuesday morning, however, he sounded rattled, expressing concern about why Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not signed his contract to face welterweight champ Shane Mosley on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in as big of a fight as there is in the sport.
It has been five days since both sides acknowledged an agreement on terms.
Mosley, of course, put pen to paper on Friday in Las Vegas, where his attorney, Judd Burstein, went through the paperwork with him point by point.
“He is excited to move forward with the bout,” Burstein told me at the time.
Burstein also added that he had been assured by Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather’s advisers, that there were no problems on their side.
“I confirmed with Leonard that there are no issues,” Burstein said.
Ellerbe’s quote to me for the story I wrote Friday was, “All of the deal points have been agreed to. We still have to put pen to paper, but everything is agreed to.”
Yet five days later, Schaefer still does not have a signed agreement from Mayweather. He was clearly at wit’s end when he called me about it Tuesday morning.
“He still hasn’t signed. I am so frustrated,” Schaefer said. “I wanted both guys to go down to the Super Bowl in Miami to do some promotional stuff. I don’t know what Floyd is waiting for. I have no clue. I have a signed contract from Shane on my desk. I have nothing from Floyd.”
Schaefer said he is in constant touch with Ellerbe and Al Haymon, Mayweather’s other adviser, and when he asks them where the paperwork is, the response is always the same: “Every day, it’s the next day. They say, ‘Don’t worry, it’s going to come.’ Well, where is it? I’m waiting for the signature before we can move on.”
Burstein said he and Mosley were also quite aggravated by the delay.
“I am outraged,” Burstein said when I reached him Tuesday afternoon. “I have a client who acts in a professional manner. He allows me to negotiate a deal for him in constant consultation with him. When it all gets put on paper, we go over it and, as promised, he signs if it’s OK. That’s what happened on Friday. It was signed with the assurance from Al Haymon and Leonard Ellerbe that everything was agreed to and there was no problem.”
So what does Burstein believe is the issue?
“It’s either one of two things that has happened,” he said. “Either he’s rethought the wisdom of risking his undefeated record against Shane or he chooses to act like a 7-year-old. Hopefully, it’s the latter and he will mature very quickly. But either of these possibilities is completely unacceptable to us. He’s going to end up in a fight with Mosley. The only question is whether it will be in the ring or in court.”
Now, May 1 is still a ways off, but for a megafight the magnitude of Mosley-Mayweather, kicking it off with promotional appearances at the Super Bowl is significant. When Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya met in May 2007, their media rounds at the Super Bowl generated enormous interest in the fight, which went on to set the all-time pay-per-view record.
Schaefer wants to follow the same blueprint. He said Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr., who will meet April 3 in a pay-per-view rematch that Golden Boy is co-promoting, will be in Miami to help drum up interest in their fight, so he can’t understand why Mayweather is MIA.
So I asked Schaefer if he was concerned that the Mosley-Mayweather fight might be in trouble?
His answer was simply, “Yes.”
I asked him if he would elaborate.
“At this point, I don’t know,” he said. “We want to do some big PR, so this is frustrating. I read Leonard’s quotes that it was agreed to and that it was just a matter of time to get it signed, but if it’s all done, why isn’t it signed?”
Schaefer has been down this road with Mayweather before, perhaps one of the reasons for his concern. He negotiated a fall 2008 rematch between Mayweather and De La Hoya, which also had been agreed to and was on the verge of being announced. However, Mayweather never signed the paperwork and instead announced his retirement, which lasted 18 months.
“I am not having flashbacks to anything, but [the Mosley fight] is still not signed,” Schaefer said. “I don’t know what it means. Obviously, we can’t move forward with the promotion, including some important activities that were planned for this coming weekend, unless we have a signed deal.”
Before negotiating with Mosley, Mayweather was close to a deal to face Manny Pacquiao on March 13 in what would have been, by far, the sport’s biggest fight. But that fight fell apart shortly before what was supposed to have been a kickoff news conference in early January. The reason was because the fighters couldn’t reach a compromise on drug-testing protocol. Mayweather insisted on testing that went far beyond the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. While Pacquiao accepted some additional testing, he refused random blood testing.
Both fighters moved on. Pacquiao quickly made a deal to defend his welterweight belt against Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Mayweather and Mosley began their talks after Mosley’s Jan. 30 unification fight with Andre Berto was canceled.
So while Pacquiao wrapped up his deal with Clottey in about two seconds and Mosley signed on the dotted line in pretty short order, we all continue to wait for Mayweather’s John Hancock yet again, including Schaefer.
“I always tell you, a signed deal is a done deal,” Schaefer said. “It will only be done when Floyd signs, and that hasn’t happened yet. I don’t know of any deal terms that are not agreed to. I don’t understand it.”