Oscar De La Hoya said on Wednesday that if Manny Pacquiao insists he is clean, he must submit himself to Olympic-style drug testing.

“C’mon. It’s only a little bit of blood. If you have nothing to hide, then do the test,” said De La Hoya in his blog in the on-line edition of The Ring magazine a day after it was announced that the proposed March 13 showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather was in danger of being scrapped for the Filipino’s disagreement with a drug-testing procedure being demanded by Mayweather.

De La Hoya, who lost his farewell fight to Pacquiao in December 2008, says Mayweather is submitting himself to the same tests to show that he doesn’t use performance-enhancing substances.

De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) is representing Mayweather in negotiations with Pacquiao’s promotional banner Top Rank, wonders why Pacquiao, regarded as the world’s best boxer pound-for-pound, “is afraid of needles and having a few tablespoons through random testing in the three months leading up to the fight.”

“If Pacquiao, the toughest guy on the planet, is afraid of needles and having a few tablespoons of blood drawn from his system, then something is wrong. The guy has tattoos everywhere; he’s tattooed from top to bottom. You’re telling me he’s afraid of needles?”

The mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is now in jeopardy after Golden Boy Promotions, on behalf of Mayweather Promotions, learned (Tuesday) that Manny Pacquiao is refusing to comply with Olympic style drug testing as outlined and mandated by the United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) and as requested by Mayweather’s management to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters.

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

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

Olympic style drug testing involves random sampling of the athlete’s blood and urine prior to and after the fight. The USADA procedure includes both blood and urine sampling so that all banned substances, some of which do not show up in urine alone, are tested for thoroughly.

With the late breaking news from yesterday that the March 13th proposed HBO Pay-Per-View TV event of Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is in jeopardy, we are all left to wonder if things can be salvaged. Team Pacquiao is not content with drawing blood for drug testing close to fight night, a stipulation that Mayweather’s side wants for both fighters.

Pacquiao is more than willing to take blood tests before training starts, and even after the fight is over, but does not want blood drawn during training because his team believes it could weaken their fighter. This puts the fight in jeopardy because Mayweather’s side is demanding the drug tests be part of the contract.

Legendary trainer, Freddie Roach who represents Pacquiao believes that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is just looking for a way out of the fight. Quoted by the LA Times, Roach stated: “I knew Floyd wanted a way out of the fight and now he’s found one.”

According to the LA Times report, Roach is extending an olive branch to the riff, saying he would allow Pacquiao to give a blood sample 1 week prior to the start of the fight, but no closer than 3 days before the first bell.

Source: http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Benz/DHBenz1223f09.htm

Las Vegas has finally crossed the finish line to land the March 13 megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, sources close to both fighters said Saturday.

The MGM Grand Garden, despite a seating capacity of only 16,200, appears to have won out over the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which could seat 100,000 for the bout.

Top Rank president Todd duBoef said late Saturday the deal with the MGM Grand is not complete.

A source close to Mayweather said: “Nothing is signed. The talks are ongoing. It’s getting close, but there’s no deal in place yet.”

DuBoef’s boss, Top Rank founder and chairman Bob Arum, said last week he wanted to have a site for the fight locked up before Christmas. DuBoef has been handling site negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer for the past 10 days, since Schaefer abruptly canceled a planned trip to Dallas on Dec. 9 to meet with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones had made an initial offer of $25 million. Dallas Mavericks owner and fellow billionaire Mark Cuban was interested in partnering with Jones to bring the fight to Texas. It is not known whether Jones had sweetened his offer.

While the MGM Grand cannot compete with the Cowboys’ massive stadium from a seating standpoint, it can pool resources with other MGM Mirage properties to have as many as 50,000 seats available between the live gate and closed-circuit seating. Closed-circuit locations could include the MGM Grand conference center, the Mandalay Bay Events Center and venues at the newly christened CityCenter.

MGM Mirage can offer hotel rooms, food and beverage capabilities and other amenities that Jones can’t. Another factor in the negotiations is the MGM Grand’s longstanding business relationship with Top Rank and Golden Boy, as well as Mayweather’s promotional company.

Richard Sturm, president of entertainment and sports for MGM Mirage who has been negotiating with duBoef and Schaefer, said through a spokesman that it is not an appropriate time to comment.

The Grand Garden has hosted both boxers’ most recent fights: Mayweather’s return Sept. 19 when he defeated Juan Manuel Marquez after a 21-month layoff, and Pacquiao’s 12th-round TKO victory over Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.

Arum, who like Mayweather lives in Las Vegas, has said from the beginning of the negotiations he would like to see the fight in his hometown. However, Arum said it was important to consider all bidders, especially after Jones’ huge $25 million offer. But it appears that despite having the smaller venue, the MGM is going to win out to play host to boxing’s biggest fight in years.

“When we’re ready to release a statement, we will let everyone know,” duBoef said.

Source: http://www.lvrj.com/sports/mayweather-pacquiao-fight-bound-for-mgm-79750342.html

From Source.

Boxing fans could have their biggest gift for 2010 wrapped up with a red bow and under their trees before Christmas (next Saturday).

That’s the optimistic word from Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, speaking by phone just before his Kelly Pavlik middleweight title fight PPV card began Saturday night in Youngstown, Ohio.

One small caveat, here for fight fans who are licking their chops to see undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. climb into the ring with Pacman on March 13.

The site, Arum said, has been selected although he refused to tip his hand as to whether it will be the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas or Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones’ spectacular new football playpen in Arlington, Tx.

“They have selected a site,” Arum said, referring to his stepson and Top Rank president Todd duBoef on the Pacquiao side and Richard Schaefer repping Mayweather on the other. “But I can’t say a word other than that.”

Arum said the nuts and bolts of the bout contract are in place but that details have to be fleshed out and then the agreement has to be properly reduced to writing by lawyers.

“This is a huge, huge, big money deal and it takes time,” Arum said.

Arum said there are no important matters of dispute which could wreck the mega bout deal.

Arum said the site will likely be announced at some point in the coming week.

A New York City press conference will be held Jan. 6 followed by one in Los Angeles on Jan.8.

“After that, the fighters can get to work at their training camps,” Arum said.

Arum said he thinks Mayweather will train at his own gym in Las Vegas and that a U.S. training base is being explored for Pacman.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao off by John Beattie from source Suddenly, the 2010 mega-bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao looks like it’s going to be the fight that got away.

A source very close to the situation is reporting that Mayweather has threatened to pull out of the March showdown with Pacquiao over a weight issue, according to ringsidereport.com. According to the report, the two sides are seeking a set weight for the bout and Mayweather’s request for wiggle room surrounding that number is being contested by Team Pacquiao.

I personally think that there’s no way that this fight will not happen given the amount of hype surrounding it. If Floyd

legitimately pulls out of this match he won’t be able to live down the accusations from Pacquiao fans. Another reason

why this bout it likely to go down is the sheer amount of money that both fighters will make. $25 million just to show is not chump change by any means. Furthermore, if the fight does get cancelled, the legitimacy of boxing will once again be put to the forefront.

Should this fight not take place, Mayweather’s camp has hinted that a bout would take place in March against a lesser opponent, perhaps Yuri Foreman or Matthew Hatton.

Return to Mayweather vs Pacquiao.net from Mayweather vs Pacquiao off

From sources: cnn.com, doghouseboxing.com,

Longtime boxing fan Ron Artest blessed FanHouse with his thoughts on the much anticipated Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

As a kid growing up watching my dad anticipate big fights such as Hagler and Leonard, Tyson and Spinks, Tyson and Holyfield, Tyson and Berbick etc., I never appreciated the energy and excitement behind boxing. I was young and just a kid, playing tag and getting in minor trouble. Paying more mind to the music of Michael Jackson, the O’Jays, Temptations and all the other “Oldies but Goodies” artists that my mother and aunt were listening to.

But my dad, Ron Artest, Sr., eventually turned me into a big boxing fan. I remember that historic fight when Iron Mike lost in Tokyo to Buster Douglas. My dad was upset how Mike did fight right but still lost, and my sisters and mom were flabbergasted. I actually cried, and my dad put me on punishment — which in retrospect, I think was more for Tyson’s shocking and unexpected loss than anything I did.

That same type of energy and anticipation surrounds the upcoming Pac-Man vs. Money May fight. Pac is a good guy and has let me enjoy the training process through being around his training camp. Money May is a loyal friend and great-hearted person. A couple years ago, Mayweather paid for me and my friends to come perform at his charity event in Grand Rapids, Mich. — which was a great experience. But I’m actually closer to the Pac-Man camp than the Money May camp. Both these fighters give back to their communities and never forget about their friends. So now when I’ll watch the fight, I really won’t know who to cheer for. If I had to choose to watch these two legends fight or not see them fight — I have no favorites and would not want to throw my support for any particular fighter — I would choose to see them fight.

From Sources: markg87.net, boxingscene.com

“Manny Pacquiao will WIN against Floyd Mayweather Jr” – a fearless and doubtless forecast made by the ex-world champion, Lennox Lewis. He included that Manny Pacquiao will be the first boxer to give the first downfall to Floyd Mayweather Jr for the coming bloodshed, this March 13, 2010.

Lennox Lewis, the British Boxing icon, stated that only Pacquiao and Shane Mosley are the two individuals who have the vigor to fight strongly and bandy with against the indisputable and no-loss welterweight champion, Mayweather.

After Lewis saw the exceptional adeptness of Pacquiao , who triumphed against Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto, he is certain that Pacquiao has the great fighting chance against Mayweather.

On the other hand, Lewis, hall of famer boxer, can’t deny the fact that it is not a no-sweat for Pacquiao to downthrow Mayweather, who is advantageous to his height, defense, and sports an unbeaten record.

By David Mayo | The Grand Rapids Press

Texas, specifically Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, continues to hear itself bandied about as potential host for a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight. That’s because Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, single-handedly is keeping the issue alive.

Here are three reasons it almost certainly won’t happen, and why the fight will head to MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 13.

1. Texas officiating
The state commission in Texas e-mailed both camps last week in an effort to soothe any fears about the quality of officiating and the input both sides would have in selection of officials if the fight is conducted in that state.

Oh, boy. That should fix things.

The Texas commission is the same one that earlier this year listened to Paulie Malignaggi — before the fight, mind you — accuse in-state judge Gale Van Hoy of bias for house fighters (that is, the fighter in whom the promoter-of-record has a contractual interest), and Raul Caiz Jr. of being a “go-fer” judge who Golden Boy Promotions routinely seeks to have assigned to bouts involving its fighters.

Sure enough, Malignaggi lost a unanimous decision to Houston’s Juan Diaz in a fight that could have gone either way, and Van Hoy’s ridiculous 118-110 scorecard — that is, 10-2 in rounds — virtually mandated a rematch.

When they fought again Saturday in Chicago, Malignaggi dominated and won a clean, unanimous decision, all by 116-111 scores.

Van Hoy and Caiz also were two of the three officials involved in another recent fight in Texas, in which Houston’s Rocky Juarez got the benefit of a spurious draw in a featherweight fight against undefeated Chris John. That result also forced a rematch, in Las Vegas, on the Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard. John dominated and won a clear decision.

By NICK GIONGCO

The camp of Floyd Mayweather will make sure Manny Pacquiao — and even the American fighter himself — undergo an Olympic-style drug testing to make sure both fighters are “clean” when they collide on March 13, 2010.

Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe told the Grand Rapids Press over the weekend that the random drug test would be done in the weeks leading up to the fight and that he and another adviser, Al Haymon, said they acted without the consent of Mayweather.

“Al and I made sure this will be implemented. It is going to be done,” said Ellerbe.

“It’s not a one-way thing, it’s both fighters who are subject to testing. And this is not Floyd saying this.

This is me and Al. This is one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport and the fans deserve it to be fair.”

Ellerbe denied that the decision to mandate that Pacquiao be tested extensively was based on suspicions that the Filipino has been using performance-enhancing drugs the last few fights as he has been looking sensational as if he is not going up in weight each fight.

“Floyd’s got nothing to do with this. It’s our job to protect him and give him the best chance to be successful.

Inside the ring, he’s got that. He’ll have no problem with Pacquiao, none whatsoever. Our job is to take care of things outside the ring.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), which holds office in Montreal, Canada, is the main agency that administers such tests but Ellerbe did not say whether another group will do the job.