PACQUIAO’S ACTIONS GROWING MORE SUSPICIOUS
Oakland, CA– Although I previously could appreciate both sides of the steroids testing issue between Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0 25, KOs), it is now starting to appear that Pacquiao is pulling a number on the public and the one pulling away from the fight. Promoter Bob Arum came out of a mediation meeting blasting Team Mayweather earlier in the week stating that Mayweather would not budge on the random testing schedule at all. But was this true? A day later Mayweather is saying that it was all a lie. If it was, somebody has some explaining to do.
FLOYD’S “FAIR SPLIT” NOW NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Initially it appears that Pac wanted to ensure testing would stop no later than 30 days before the bout and according to Arum he was willing to make the adjustment down to 24 days. Coincidently, this has also been reported as the exact amount of time Pacquiao previously took a blood test prior to facing Ricky Hatton. Team Mayweather who wanted the testing to continue up until the fight countered, offering a 14 day cut-off date according to Mayweather. Let’s be honest, a 14 day cut-off date is about as fair and mutually pleasing for both sides as it can possibly get! It’s right in the middle of the day before the fight and 30 days prior, which Pac originally requested. If anyone is losing in this scenario it’s Mayweather given a set cutoff date can devoid the whole process if Pac is indeed dirty and knows when he needs to be ready for a test. The fact that Mayweather has agreed to this shows that he clearly wants the fight.
YURI FOREMAN ONE TALL BLUFF
Although the idea has been widely been reported, it has now been reported that Manny is currently not interested in moving up to jr. middleweight (154) to face Yuri Foreman (28-0 9 KOs). He suddenly doesn’t want the fight, when Freddie Roach appeared to push it as a reasonable option the whole time. Ironically, Foreman is taking this as a compliment, likely because he knew it wasn’t really coming anyway. Of course this comes as no surprise to me because Team Pacquiao was clear, saying that they were not interested in going up any more in weight after the bought with Miguel Cotto. So if this whole Foreman thing was never serious, one can only wonder if this strategy is being used elsewhere.
ROACH NOW WANTS CLOTTEY?
It appears that Freddie Roach is now pushing or a fight with solid welterweight (147) Joshua Clottey. Joshua Clottey?…really? Now this is just borderline absurd. Clottey offers very little for Manny as he does not hold any world titles, little historical significance and won’t generate 10% as much buzz as Mayweather. Beyond that, he likely would be a bad fight for Paquiao if his handlers know what’s best for him. Clottey is a naturally big welterweight who may come into the ring at 160 to 170 lbs and has a solid defense. Let’s not forget, Manny is considered a true welter now and likely won’t be able to get away with a catch-weight here. Clottey is simply not the type of fighter that is ideal for Manny. If I know this, Freddie Roach knows this, so why his name is in the pot is a mystery to me.
WHEN WILL THE CHARADES END?
If Pacquiao is truly clean a 14 day cutoff date appears to be more than fair. Whether he doesn’t like needles, feels he will lose energy, etc. it can all be remedied if he has two weeks to get himself together. It is now looking like either he has something to hide or he simply wasn’t really sure about the fight to begin with. But it’s hard to believe that Manny doesn’t want the fight with a guaranteed $25 million and a possible pot that can grow to $40 million. Come on, is this fight really resting on a ten day testing window? If that sounds strange to you, I’m with you. If I could leave a message to Team Pacquiao I would simply say, “Stop the charades, COME CLEAN and make the fight.” I mean that in every sense of the word.
TEDDY ATLAS ON “FISHY” PAC EMAILS!
Here’s an ESPN video in which Teddy Atlas says in a round abouts way that Team Pacman does indeed have something to hide. Click to watch Teddy Atlas Expose “Pac’s “Steroid” Emails
Jarrad Woods