Mayweather vs Pacquiao

[haxman]

Hopefully this is starting to gather pace. It will be the biggest fight in financial terms ever, and will settle the P4P argument (well till the next superstar comes along :grin

Please, please let this one happen ray:

http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=boxing/09/11/23/manual_221338.html

Talks about a possible Manny Pacquiao/Floyd Mayweather Jr megafight are reportedly under way in the United States.

According to ESPN.com Richard Schaefer, representing Mayweather Jr, flew to Las Vegas on Monday to meet with Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum.

Schaefer told the website: "Floyd and me want to see if we can get the fight done. The fact that I am flying to Las Vegas to meet with Bob shows you how serious our side is about making the fight.

"Bob and I will approach this without egos and try to get it done under fair terms. Floyd gave me his marching orders and I will see today how it goes and report back."

A clash between the current top two P4P fighters would be expected to set a new record for pay-per-view buys - surpassing the 2.4million that Mayweather Jr's points win over Oscar De La Hoya produced in May 2007.

Mayweather Jr (40-0) recently returned from a near two-year lay-off to convincingly outpoint Juan Manuel Marquez, while Pacquiao (50-3-2) cemented his status as P4P top dog by crushing Miguel Cotto on November 14.

If a deal can be reached it's expected the big fight would take place in the first half of 2010. Possible venues include Las Vegas and the new 105,000-capacity stadium of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

 

[hans]

I think arum (or roach) said the day after the fight that the purse split would be 60-40 to pacman - whereas mayweather would never accept this i think. From the earlier talks (months ago) mayweather was wanting the lions share as he was the bigger star in terms of ppv. BUT the USA ppv buys for Mayweather/Marquez done 1.1million buys, while Pac/Cotto done 1.6+million so it looks like pac will get the bigger share and could cause the stumbling block. Plus i think Floyd was saying he wants the fight in the UK ???

 

[riversmonkey]

There really is nobody else for either of these fighters, despite what looks like a drawn out haggle over the purse this fight should happen next year.

 

[haxman]

YES!! 13th March, people. Although that could well change.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8395968.stm

Five-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather are set to meet on 13 March, according to the Filipino's promoter.

Michael Koncz, who is in charge of Pacquaio's promotional company, says the 30-year-old has agreed to a March proposal from promoter Bob Arum.

"We all believe that it will be done," Koncz told GMA television.

If the 'super fight' goes ahead, it will match the two men regarded as the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.

"Arum presented what he thought was the best proposal he can bring during a two-hour breakfast meeting with Pacquiao in Manila," added Koncz.

"Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem.

"The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem and it's pretty much a done deal."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who is preparing Britain's Amir Khan for his first WBA light-welterweight defence on Saturday, also confirmed the date. 606: DEBATE
Who will win the 'super fight'?


"I talked to Arum and Manny is happy with that date and I can't wait to get started," Roach told Sky Sports.

"It will be the biggest fight of all time and Amir Khan will help us get ready for the fight with his speed a lot like Mayweather's."

But Roach confirmed that the fight was not a done deal but was closer to being finalised.

"There will always be negotiation and there are issues such as weight, but they can always be solved," added Roach.

"It is would be a tough fight and we will need to set some traps and work on some strategies. But it is a fight Manny wants, he is very confident he can beat Floyd."

Pacquiao last fought in November beating Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. The Filipino stopped his Puerto Rican opponent in the 12th round of their WBO welterweight clash at the MGM Grand with a stunning display.

Mayweather, 32, returned to the ring for the first time in 21 months with a unanimous points victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas with a classy performance.

Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat in the May 2010 elections and official campaigning will not start before April, making the March date convenient for the Filipino.

No venue has been decided for the mega fight but representatives of the Superdome in New Orleans and the new Dallas Cowboys' stadium have expressed interest in hosting the fight, as has the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas, where the pair have fought their biggest fights.

There is also a proposal for a 30,000-seater temporary stadium on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn resort.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Brilliant. That is going to be an amazing fight.

 

[dontcallme]

Since Pacquiao started moving up the weights I've been dying for this fight to happen.

I think Mayweather will win but I can't wait.

 

[riggi]

:dance:

 

[Kendall]

Pacquiao is awesome, so quick and powerful and his Hatton knockout punch is one of the sweetest I've ever seen but there's something I really like about Mayweather. He's such a ****, but an expert boxer.

If it goes the distance, I think Mayweather may take it. Pacquiao needs to knock him out.

 

[spurs mental]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8427743.stm

Floyd Mayweather Jr's planned bout with Manny Pacquiao is off because of a blood-testing dispute, according to Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum.

"As far as I'm concerned, the fight is off," said Arum, referring to the scheduled 13 March welterweight bout.

The American's camp were told by Pacquiao's people that the Filipino would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to the fight.

The welterweight super-fight was expected to be the richest of all time.
Arum accused Mayweather's camp of raising the issue not because they were worried about Pacquiao taking performance-enhancing substances, but because Mayweather never wanted to fight in the first place.

Arum said Pacquiao would agree to testing by the same agencies that test pro American Football and baseball players, but not for random tests by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach added: "The sanctioning bodies and the state commissions run the boxing world, not Floyd Mayweather.
"Who is this guy to tell us that we have to have blood tests, or urine tests, or any tests? He's just looking for a way out of the fight."

Mayweather associate Richard Schaefer said: "He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight.
"It is unfortunate to hear this from Manny Pacquiao's representatives, particularly since both parties had worked out all other issues related to this fight."

Unbeaten Mayweather's management want both men - regarded as the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world - to submit to blood-testing prior to the bout, to ensure both men are clean.

"When Manny gives blood it takes him three or four days to recover. I am not going to have my fighter going into a fight feeling weak"

Schaefer, who is chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, added: "Todd [DuBoef, president of Pacquiao's promoters Top Rank] told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight."

Prior to Arum's announcement, the 32-year-old Mayweather had urged Pacquiao to agree to the blood-testing.
"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don't know anyone who really does," said Mayweather.

"But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level."

But Roach countered: "We have passed every test ever given to us. We go by the commission rules, since when does the fighter make up the rules?

"Mayweather is scared, and he's just afraid that he's going to get his ass kicked."

The fight had been expected to be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the NBA's Lakers was also touted as a possible venue and representatives of Cowboys Stadium in Dallas were also said to be interested in hosting arguably the biggest fight since the turn of the century.

Pacquiao, 31, became a five-weight world champion following his WBO welterweight title win over Miguel Cotto in November, while Las Vegas-based Mayweather returned from a 21-month retirement to beat Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in September.

Arum added that Pacquiao still plans to fight on 13 March and will now look for another opponent.

 

[dontcallme]

^A power play but hopefully it'll be sorted.

 

[Welshiespursboyo]

Gutted about this - really hope something gets done

 

[Wsussexspur]

Im 100% sure it will all be sorted out!

 

[haxman]

Gutted about this - really hope something gets done

Im 100% sure it will all be sorted out!

It will. It's too big a money spinner not to happen. The fight everyone wants to see.

 

[hans]

after this im realllllllly not confident that pacman is clean he;s gotta be on something . . . and what Roach is saying is pure bullshit - the request was 1 teaspoon of blood, that in no way can affect or make Pac weak. . And this is the only request from the Mayweather camp. So far Floyd has agreed a 50/50 split, the gloves pac wanted (8oz i think) AND agreed a $10million fine for every pound he comes in over 147.

What has pac got to hide???? Oh yeah, and if im not wrong, one of pacs trainers is banned from olympic training or something due to illegal steroid use in his athletes . .

 

[riversmonkey]

I think it's a bit of a bluff, with Mayweather looking to get a psychological advantage. Pac's team obviously don't want to bow down to the demands.

 

[Mullers]

The Mayweathers are playing games, trying to unsettle Pacquiao. The fight will happen I'm sure of it.

 

[hans]

The Mayweathers are playing games, trying to unsettle Pacquiao. The fight will happen I'm sure of it.

Pacman and his camp are really making themselves look suspicious

This isn't some issue that just came about. It has been a part of the contract negotiations for weeks. According to a source familiar with the talks, Pacquiao's representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn't be ruined in the public eye.
Those are disturbing requests. It could just be due diligence on the part of the attorneys negotiating the contract or it could be that Pacquiao has something to hide. The only way to clear up the matter is to agree to the testing. Mayweather has agreed to undergo the same procedures, putting more pressure on Pacquiao.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/m...009-12-25_a_test_of_ethics.html#ixzz0bFEvviR0
​

Pac is a coward to be pretty blunt. He'd rather fight mayweather in a court room rather than in the ring, proven clean.

 

[Mullers]

Pacman and his camp are really making themselves look suspicious

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/m...009-12-25_a_test_of_ethics.html#ixzz0bFEvviR0
​

Mayweather Sr has been saying for some that Pacman is on drugs. Mayweather Jr has agreed to the same testing, so I agree his refusal to do random testing doesn't look good.

Pac is a coward to be pretty blunt. He'd rather fight mayweather in a court room rather than in the ring, proven clean.

I'll wait to see if he will go ahead with the fight before reaching that conclusion. It would be a great shame if that was the case because I have great admiration for Pacman and Freddie Loach. Even Amir Khan might fall under suspicion too if the pacman camp doesn't agree to drug testing.

 

[Kendall]

The fact that pac man has gotten so big, yet remained lean very quickly over the past few years is suspicious enough.

 

[hans]

Mayweather Sr has been saying for some that Pacman is on drugs. Mayweather Jr has agreed to the same testing, so I agree his refusal to do random testing doesn't look good.

I'll wait to see if he will go ahead with the fight before reaching that conclusion. It would be a great shame if that was the case because I have great admiration for Pacman and Freddie Loach. Even Amir Khan might fall under suspicion too if the pacman camp doesn't agree to drug testing.

The thing is Paulie Malignaggi has been saying Pacs on steroids much more publicly, but they havent got a problem with fighting him if the Mayweather fight falls through. And Paulie isnt concerned with blood testing.. . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmQ-FjEUncg

now thats much more damning than anything that has come out of Floyd seniors mouth