After improving his undefeated record to 41 wins and 0 losses by defeating Sugar Shane Mosley earlier this month, Floyd Mayweather was asked the million dollar question. During a post-fight interview, the media seemed to be more curious about the possibility of a much anticipated bout with Manny Pacquiao in the mere future than the night's fight itself. When the question that never seems to get old was asked again, Mayweather continued to state that a fight between the two wouldn't take place unless Pacquiao's camp agreed to a blood test in the days leading up to it.Pacquiao who was against the idea of blood being drawn for testing just months ago when both fighters first arranged a bout, is now consider a blood test 14 days prior to the fight as long as his opponent does the same. Pac-Man changed his stance of a blood test 24 days before the fight to 14 days in hopes of "helping the sport of boxing" he says. We all thought a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao was finally going to take place early this year, until negotiations fell threw and the fight was later called off due to these exact same blood tests. Instead, Pacquiao went on to fight Joshua Clottey at the new Cowboys Stadium where he won every round along with the fight in a unanimous decision. So as talks between both camps heat up once again, could we finally be in store for the fight of the century?
Just when you thought the sport of Boxing was ready to make a comeback with what would potentially the biggest fight of the year, the match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is called off. After nearly a year in the making and tons of hype later, the fight that was at one point bound to happen may end up never happening at all. Just weeks ago, both fighters had reportedly agreed to fight one another with everything already planned out, including the date (March 13, 2010), the venue (MGM Grand Las Vegas) and even the price ($50 million split up front). But regardless of the pay check, both camps have found something to disagree on -- the testing for banned substances.Mayweather and his camp has decided they wanted to use Olympic style drug testing, thus meaning blood would be drawn from each fighter and tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, rather than a regular drug test simply taken through urine samples. Pacquiao and his camp refused to provide the samples and would only be willing to allow blood to be taken from their fighter at least 30 days before the fight date as well as immediately after the bout. Trainer Freddie Roach however said he'd be willing to allow blood samples from his fighter if there was a cut-off date for the blood testing or at least one week before the fight. But with all the debate, comes a change of opponent as Pacquiao will now fight Paul Malignaggi instead.The thought of Pacquiao-Mayweather has had Boxing enthusiast drooling for quite some time. But now, both critics and fans alike have begun to question whether or not Mayweather is actually willing to fight the one they call Pac-Man. & If you ask me, my opinion is no different. As great of a fighter Mayweather is, I think he's scared shit-less of facing Pacquiao in the ring. Not only does he not want his undefeated record to flourish, but at the same time he doesn't want to prove that he's scared to fight, which is why he chose the Olympic drug testing as an easy way out. For a fighter that's never once considered using the Olympic drug tests like Mayweather, I find it a little odd that he all of a sudden wants to use it. & Given that Roach and the Pacquiao camp thinks the blood testing will weaken their fighter for physical or religious purposes, I don't blame them for turning down the offer. If 'Money Mayweather' is truly the best pound for pound fighter in the world, he'll prove it by doing whatever it is necessary to get the fight rescheduled for a second time.If not, it looks like we'll continue to hear and see 'Pretty Boy Floyd' on TMZ beefing it with rapper Rick Ross who according to reporters punked Mayweather who ended up being the bigger man by walking away. Then again we can always look forward to seeing him host WWE's Monday Night Raw. I'm sure he'll be willing to set up a boxing match with John Cena without the crazy blood testing...
Another death in the World of sports, and another troublesome relationship. This time former Boxing Champ Arturo Gatti. The Italian/Canadian born boxer was found murdered in a hotel in Brazil. Gatti's girlfriend Amanda Rodrigues was charged with first degree murder after the strap of her purse was found stained with blood. Amanda claims to have been in the same room with Gatti's body for ten hours before realizing he was dead. The two were said to have a rough relationship and were on the verge of separating. The retired fighter and 4-time nominee for Ring Magazine's "Fight of the Year" had a record of 40 wins and 9 losses, with 31 wins by knockout. It's said he was considering a comeback, but instead he is off to a better place. Arturo was dubbed the nickname "Thunder" Gatti, and was planning on attending his sisters wedding the following day.
