Mayweather-Pacquiao: He said, he said

So the fight of the century is off, and it's all Floyd Mayweather's fault.

Like the coward Bob Arum says he is, Mayweather rejected a reasonable drug testing compromise because he's afraid to risk his undefeated record against a buzzsaw like Manny Pacquiao.

 

Wait, no.

The fight of the century is off, and it's all Manny Pacquiao's fault.

Like the coward team Mayweather says he is, Pacquiao rejected a reasonable drug testing compromise because he's afraid of either testing positive or confronting the only other guy who can challenge for the pound-for-pound crown.

 

These are two widely divergent accounts of how final negotiations for this proposed superfight went down, so whose fault is it, anyway?

At this point, who cares?

What matters is that the most important, most intriguing and most lucrative boxing match of a generation now looks like it won't happen, disappointing both hardcore and casual fans, and dealing a body blow to a sport that had just climbed off the canvas.

A couple of posts ago a commenter questioned why we were still even discussing the sweet science, explaining that he was a former boxing fan who tuned away from the sport because for too many years the best fighters avoided each other. 

I'm sure there are thousands of other fans like him, guys who tuned out because they grew tired of waiting for a rematch between Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins, or for a pair of heavyweights worth watching, or for Mayweather to confront someone who could test the limits of his mind-boggling skill.

This pound-for-pound showdown between the two biggest names in the sport was supposed to draw those fans back to the boxing flock, while rewarding the hardcore for standing by the sport, and proving to the world that the inter-promotional bickering that had derailed boxing in the past was just that -- the past.

Turns out it's still the present, and the gifts Team Pacquiao and Team Mayweather have given sports fans are the familiar feelings that always accompany superfights that don't happen. 

The shattering of a fragile trust as boxing fans feel duped for believing the fight could actually take place. 

The awkward attempts to explain to non-boxing fans that the sport really isn't as crooked as it seems.

The disappointment of another failed negotiation hardening in to indifference toward fighters and promoters who ignore fans' demands.

Really, does anyone care who these two will face as alternatives?

Will the folks who were ready to drop  $50 on a Pacquiao-Mayweather pay-per-view even spend an hour watching either guy take on Paulie Malignaggi or Yuri Foreman or Josh Clottey?

Unless you're a blood relative or the worst kind of boxing addict, the answer is probably no.

These two need to realize that if they want to smash pay-per-view records and vault themselves from mere Hall of Famers to Sugar Ray Robinson-level legends they need each other. Muhammad Ali needed Joe Frazier, Ray Leonard needed Thomas Hearns and Floyd Mayweather needs Manny Pacquiao (and vice-versa).

Amid the duelling accusations it's tough to discern which fighter hasn't figured it out yet, but if Mayweather truly didn't want this fight he should have stayed retired. Fans could live with the Juan Manuel Marquez mismatch as a Pacquiao tuneup, but nobody wants to see him fight Saul Alvarez or Rick Ross.

And if Pacquiao really isn't scared of Mayweather or drug testing he needs to prove it and start acting like a fighter.

Now, any judgement of a fighter's character comes with a huge qualifier, since anyone who laces on gloves and fights for a living displays a level of courage people like me will never comprehend, much less possess.

Nevertheless, a fighter doesn't run to his lawyer when someone defames him, the way Pacquiao did last week.

You think Muhammad Ali's relentless racial taunts didn't defame Joe Frazier?

Labeling Frazier and Uncle Tom was a deliberate (and successful) attempt to demean him among African-American fans. 

And calling him a gorilla was the lowest form of race-baiting -- one black man dehumanizing another for white people's entertainment -- and on the scale of public insults outranks by far Floyd Mayweather Sr.'s ramblings about steroids.

But Frazier didn't file a lawsuit, or demand an apology as a condition for accepting a fight. He settled this defamation claim where a fighter should -- in the ring.

The bigger point here is that when record amounts of money and Hall of Fame legacies are at stake, great fighters make sure great fights happen, regardless of details, purse splits, insults and gamesmanship. And if Mayweather and Pacquiao can't get over themselves and get into the ring this spring, the entire sport suffers.

Some of my hardcore boxing fan friends are more patient than I am, pointing out that Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler ignored each other for half a decade before finally meeting in 1987.

The difference here is that even while Leonard was retired, boxing had a much larger market share than it does now, and Hagler had a few superfights to keep folks interested until Leonard finally came back to the ring. 

Boxing is healthier now than it was in, say, 2005, but still doesn't have much to offer the mainstream if Mayweather-Pacquiao falls through.

And Hagler and Leonard were both in their 20s when they started stalling on their showdown, and in their early 30s when they finally fought, past their primes for sure but still young enough to make an exciting fight.

Mayweather and Pacquiao, meanwhile, are both in their early 30s already and can't afford to delay this fight indefinitely. Wait five years and all you offer fans is a "superfight" between two old guys. That won't fly in the ring or in the octagon, and it's not what the public wants or deserves.

But the last few weeks have taught us that this isn't about public demand or the health of the sport. It's about two fighters with huge egos and who would rather win at the negotiating table than in the ring.

Comments

[seattle]

So you think calling a fighter a gorilla is worst than calling him a cheater? Dude, did you ever graduate elementary school?

[jam]

It is not about drug testing, it's a matter of principle to which one stands and fight for. The boxing federation has its sets of rules you don't want to revise it just because you have a suspicion that your opponent is on dope?.... Mayweather should have questioned this rule before he even accepted to fight Pacquiao...Or he (Mayweather) should have made this issue of testing as a pre-condition to fight Pacquiao. Why he keeps on coming up with new conditions after he accepted the fight? I tend to believe what majority is saying "that he is afraid to fight Pac-man". He is just trying to find reason to back out to save face.

[Morgan Campbell]

To seattle: In the context of a five-year campaign of race-baiting, of course it's worse. Way worse. Goes much well beyond the jealousy of a has-been like Floyd Sr. The racial wounds Ali ripped open with that insult are much, much deeper, a truth I believed was self-evident yet still tried to explain within the blog post just in case folks didn't get it. So let me try again: Racism is deplorable, even when practiced by Muhammad Ali, and I actually think "Uncle Tom" is a deeper insult than either "Gorilla" or "cheater." To bring it back to the original discussion... insults fly between fighters all the time. Fighters suspect each other of cheating all the time -- hence the Cotto camp's meticulous pre-fight inspection of Pacquiao's gloves. They weren't about to get Margarito'd again. BACK TO THE DISCUSSION....insults and suspicions are common, and a real champion -- which Pacquiao has been up till now -- deals with hurt feelings in the ring by pummeling the guy who slighted him.

[Juan de la Cruz]

On reading this article, it noticed that it's leaning in favor of Mayweather--maybe a tiny bit but still leaning towards Mayweather. But as stated by earlier comments, why did these conditions came in later? And am I to believe that Cotto's, Hutton's (and the others) team are all stupid/naive not to suspect Pacquiao is on drugs? Most of us know what Mayweather did in his fight with Marquez. Knowing that Roach will not allow this to happen again--Mayweather tried (and got it) to find a way to back-out. Now, tell me, is my reasoning less or more credible/logical than the author's rant on Pacquiao?

[Fight Fan]

The author fails to mention that both parties agreed to have a third-party mediator come up with a fair compromise.

The mediator recommended blood tests 24 days prior to the fight, and a blood test immediately after the fight.

Pacquiao's camp agreed to this compromise.

All of Mayweather's handlers implored Mayweather to accept the new terms. However, Mayweather still declined.

Who's ducking who? Who's being inflexible now?

I had my suspicions, but now I'm convinced that Mayweather is afraid of Pacquiao.

People have always accused Mayweather of ducking legitimate opponents (SS Mosley - in his prime, Antonio Margarito etc.) His failure to agree to a negotiated compromise reinforces my belief.

HGH can't make a fighter faster. HGH can't put together devasting combinations. Mayweather knows this. He's just looking for a way out.

I honestly think that Mayweather would probably win this fight. Overall, I think he has the power, speed, defense and ring savvy to neutralize Pacquiao's arsenal.

However, the very legitimate risk of losing and kissing his pristine win/loss record good bye is enough to have him turn tail and walk away.

[Durell Wambolt]

I don... See More’t believe Manny Pacquiao needs Floyd Mayweather! Who is Floyd to dictate additional drug testing to any fighter? If he’s concerned maybe he should lobby the Athletic Commission to change their rules (or the association of boxing commissions) If Manny had a history of using PED’s it would be a different story but he doesn’t so why should he be subjected to different tests than other boxers? Is it because he has achieved something Mayweather has not and that is 7 titles in 7 weight divisions? Therefore he must be cheating! Manny turned pro at 16 ant 106lbs. Want to guess what Mayweather weighed in at when he won the National Golden Gloves at 16…yep your right 106lbs. Is in the last 15 years both men have gone from 106 to 147 give or take a few lbs... I just think Floyd is smart enough to know that he wouldn’t be able to keep Pacquiao off for 36 minutes! Manny’s place is the history is secure...

[John S]

The author of this article is suggesting that Pacquiao is the one that needs to step up and start "acting like a fighter". That Frazier was demeaned racially by Ali was worse than Pacquiao was slandered by Mayweather re: PEDs.
But to bring up race and to then mock Pacquiao for not acting like a fighter suggests a bias against Pacquiao that is unbecoming of a reporter.

If you bring up the race card, you should consider the fact that for many Asian cultures, being disrespected or losing face is an extremely serious matter. And from a logical standpoint, if Pacquiao wanted to hurt Mayweather the most, he would sue him AND take away the biggest paycheque available to him. Mayweather insists on being called "Money" although he apparently burns through more money than he earns and that he is likely financially insolvent. Why would an individual pay such significant interest/penalties on their taxes and face potential jail time unless they lacked the cash to pay their taxes? Like most professional athletes, "Money" Mayweather will likely face bankruptcy within a few short years of retirement.

Regardless, I believe that both parties are at fault here. Pacquiao is now considered to be one of the best fighters in history and his legacy as a pound for pound great could be cemented be beating a prime Mayweather. And Mayweather could erase his reputation as a fighter who ducked the best of his era by fighting the biggest threat available. I had thought that with a fight of this magnitude, relevance and with the money involved that it would be a no brainer. This article should have emphasized the fact that BOTH parties are equally at fault rather than place the blame solely on Pacquiao. Honestly Morgan, you are a better reporter than that.

[Morgan Campbell]

Hi John.

Thanks for the comment and constructive criticism.

Please re-read the entry. If you do you'll find that I make it clear that both sides bear the blame for allowing this fight to break down. These two can make each other legends by meeting in the ring, or they can both lose fans by squandering the opportunity.

[Juan de la Cruz]

Morgan Campbell, I believe John S read the article very well. And in some ways, we shared the same feeling that it is leaning one way. In case you missed it, the reason is the article stated more reasons why it(cancelation of fight) COULD BE Pacquiao's fault (or why Pacquiao did not act the same as Ali/Frazier). I would expect something along the comments of Jam, Fight Fan and John S.
And it is very interesting to know that Mayweather may have stayed away from the better fighters of his time. I will never know the truth about this but for Pacquiao, it can be said that he faced all the fighters that the boxing world thought could beat him. With 7 titles across 6 divisions(?)--I will not hesitate to consider anyone as heavily biased against Pacquiao if he/she will say Pacquiao still needs to prove something.

[John S]

Hi Morgan,

I've read through the article and I understand the point that you are trying to make in that Frazier went through worse tormenting and defamation than Pacquiao but chose to beat/break Ali's jaw in Madison Square Gardens (and somewhat ironically enough in Manila) rather than in a courtroom.

Bringing up the race card brings up many potential issues, especially when both fighters are visible minorities. Suggesting that race is a bigger issue than accusations of steroids ignores the fact that pride is very important for many Asians. You are right in that your article places the blame on both fighters. But to suggest that the ball is in Pacquiao's court is inaccurate. The onus is not solely on Pacquiao to sign the contract and to act like a fighter. That was the issue that I had with this particular article.

With all that said, I wonder why Mayweather with his love of money would refuse to fight Pacquiao without the Olympic style blood tests. Mayweather generates strong PPV numbers but his next best option (Mosley?) will be lucky to generate a third of what a fight with Pacman would do, even with a 60/40 favourable split. Are Arum and Roach right in that Mayweather is scared and ducks difficult opponents (Margarito, Cotto, Mosley, Williams) or does Mayweather have a point?

Regardless, it is a shame that such a great opportunity for boxing to get back in the public spotlight has been wasted.

[Jack]

Who is Mayweather to dictate the terms of the tests required? Pacquiao has acceded to the decision. So you can't say to Pacquiao to just accept Mayweather's demand. Whatever you say, Mayweather is simply afraid to fight Pacquiao. His enormous ego prevents him from doing so.

[Morgan Campbell]

To everyone: I really appreciate the comments, even the ones that disagree with what I've written. Keep it intelligent and respectful and I'm happy. To John: Whether we're talking about impugning someones racial/ethnic pride (Ali vs Frazier) or questioning his integrity (Floyd Sr. vs Pacquiao) the common thread is that you have one side hitting the other where they know it's going to hurt -- his manhood. Now if you call me a plagiarist I can't punch you in the face to make things right. But Mayweather and Pacquiao get paid to throw punches. If your manhood is hurt, pass the drug tests, knuckle up and prove it to him in the ring. To Jack: Mayweather might be scared, but if Pacquiao's camp really believes that, why not call his bluff, deprive Floyd of a way to wriggle out of the fight and make him back up all his big talk in the ring. Just because Floyd wants an exit ramp (if that is in fact what he wants) doesn't mean you have to give it to him. Again, both sides can do a LOT better in making this fight happen.

[Mark]

Excellent article. I am a boxing fan and I have no interest in seeing Pacquiao fight Cottley, nor Mayweather fight Maglianni. I also agree that if Manny was truly serious he would have taken the drug tests, proven he was clean, and settled the issue mano a mano in the ring...if he was clean. To fight fan, your assertion about the mediator recommending 24 days is in fact not true. The mediator came out publicly yesterday and said that Bob Arum was not being truthful with that statement and that he in fact did not make any recommendations but instead took the proposals from each camp to each other. Please attempt to get the truthful facts instead of the spin from each side.

[kuljo]

Calling Joe Frazier a Gorilla was an insult, but it did NOT ruin his reputation and accomplishments. So, no need to file a lawsuit. However, accusing Manny Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs, is defamation of character and it casted a cloud of doubt in all his previous accomplishments. So, a lawsuit is waarnted, especially, since Manny has never been tested positive of any illegal drugs!

[BAD]

Its been proven that Floyd is the only one that uses illegal drugs to numb his hands before a fight. The only state that Legalizes the drugs Floyd uses for his hands is in Nevada Las Vegas, hence why the Floyd camp didn't want it held in Texas stadium. 49 states have banned Xylocaine in boxing which he injects into his hands to numb any pain before the fight.

This is the article link:
http://www.insideboxing.com/Columnist/f ... ril_21.htm

This is the thread with that statement above link:
http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showt ... 787&page=1

[Diego]

This is non sense... Let's rather wait for the news of who's going to fight either one of them. After the 9 hour talk the other day and not reaching a decision, there's not sense whatever each side might say. Just move on to schedule the next fight. Pacquiao-Clottey, Maywather-Malignaggi.

[Scorpio]

Racial slurs are demeaning, but not quite analogous with calling someone a cheater and demanding to submit to his new rules just because he didn't want to admit that there is someone smaller than him that can beat his sorry ass.

[buddy o]

hogwash! mayweather is not above and should not dictate
the testing rules of the nevada state commission. he
is playing mind games before the boxing match and pacquiao
is not engaging in his ploys. zip up mayweather's mouth
and let him fight in the ring with pacquiao. are you spinning for mayweather's benifit?

[Jonathan]

It's easy for you to say that Manny should just submit to the drug test to prove he is clean, to agree to Money's terms and conditions because you're not a Filipino..Talk about culture difference..Sure, Manny wants to fight Mayweather..but not when you tarnish his name..It's beyond drug testing, it's about not submitting to Money. Call it childish or anything, but that's what the Filipino culture is..live with it..we bow down to no one..

[floyd maynotbebetter]

Ali calling Frazier an uncle Tom is not comparable to Floyd calling Manny a cheater by using PEDs. One is an example of mocking someone like a child or an ignorant person, and the drug statement is example of questioning the other's character, integrity, accomplishments, and legacy-the things valuable to someone who does things for honor, for pride, and not for money or pissing contests. Sure it could be said this fight negotiation fell apart because of both parties not compromising. But how far did the compromises go? Floyd wanted a 30 day window to do random tests...but Manny refused and said the deal is off...then Floyd countered with 14 days...then Manny offered 24 days...that's when things fell apart as Floyd said no...and in his statement after the fact, reiterated that he still offered the 14 days because he wants to fight. Manny budged twice and Floyd budged once...was that really a compromise since he's the one making the demand?

[Anthony]

Mayweather's demand is a cheating plan he knows that Pacquiao was weakened before from the blood drawing.He's playing all of us and think that he is still the king of boxing.Let the Nevada Commission decide.Floyd is afraid to lose to an elite boxer. I use to admire you Floyd but I have a change of heart.

[Michael]

Plain and simple Mayweather did not want the fight to happen, Because he knows that he can be beat by Pacquiao.. The drugs test was a ploy to get him out the fight, He knows that Pacquiao will not accept it.. Pacquiao agrees that after the fight he will give his blood for test, and still not enough for Mayweather, If he really want to fight Pacquiao he should accept the deal that Arum proposed.

Who's next for Mayweather? Mathew Hatton? Your kidding me...

[Trilla]

putting it simple and plainn.. mayweather has nothing but himself hes his own boss as he said.. while manny has a whole nation on his back and carries it where ever he goes. so ya thats the diffrence from ali and frazier.

[Trilla]

putting it simple and plain.. mayweather has himself and as he said he is his own boss. manny has a whole nation on his back and carries it where ever he goes. so that the diffrence between ali and frazier.

[gh33]

Mr. Campbell, I think the analogy you make between Ali making racial taunts against Frazier and Mayweather accusing Pacquiao of cheating by using performance-enhancing drugs is greatly misplaced. If Mayweather had called Pacquiao a PED-using cheater - without requiring the blood tests - and Pacquiao refused to fight him, your point may have then a little more leg to stand on.