It's Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer's compilation of observations and random thoughts from the previous two weeks that were in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao drug testing, Al Haymon and the PBC's latest network deal, a preview of all this weekend's great action, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from the Boxing Observer, David Kassel.
We are just 40 days from Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and the mind games are in full effect. Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, went public this past week stating Mayweather would not agree to a $5 million penalty stipulation should either fighter test positive during the random United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug tests leading up to, and after, the fight on May 2nd. Mayweather's camp denied the request and Koncz, seeing an opportunity to place blame on Mayweather, ran to the media with it. Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe responded by stating Koncz is an "idiot" and that penalty should have been negotiated into the main contract before the fight was signed. While I believe this is nothing more than a publicity stunt to drum up more interest in the fight (as if it needed any more), I absolutely see both sides of the argument; however, I have to take the side of Mayweather here. Do I believe either fighter is going to be dumb enough to test positive for a banned substance with the potential for a $500 million, one-night event on the line? No. Do I think either fighter has anything to hide? No. Do I believe someone could try to tamper with the other fighter's test? Yes! 100% do I feel that the penalty should have been negotiated in the main contract, and I don't think Mayweather would have had a problem. Now, Koncz is subliminally implying that Mayweather might be a cheater because if he didn't have anything to hide, he should just agree to the drug testing penalty. Hopefully, Koncz isn't dumb enough to make assertions publicly because Mayweather would come back and sue Pacquiao just like Pacquiao sued Mayweather for making accusations of performance enhancing drug use a few years ago (the lawsuit was eventually dropped by Pacquiao). It's a great publicity stunt, but it's not the smartest route to gain interest because the public doesn't want to have any doubts when the winner has his hand raised after the fight. Mayweather has gone through random drug testing for the last few years leading up to his fights and has never tested positive. Pacquiao has never tested positive for any banned substance. I'm wondering why they would want the fine in place at all. If either fighter tests positive, that should be the end of the fight anyway. Let's just let USADA do its job and find something else to harp on to promote the fight. In this age of guilty until proven innocent, the biggest fight in the history of boxing does not need to have its reputation tarnished before it even gets going.
Al Haymon continues to clean up with network television. It's not really news anymore that Haymon Boxing, and the PBC, isn't messing around when it comes to snatching up boxing slots on free television stations. Last week, Haymon finalized a 2-year deal to the bring the PBC to ESPN, with 2 of the 24 cards to air on ABC. The first of the cards will air July 11 in what is expected to be a mega event (much like the debut of the PBC on NBC). Everyone was wondering how Haymon would be able to keep all his fighters (nearing closer to 200) happy, but the amount of television dates he has acquired makes his vision seem more clear. The only question still remaining is can Haymon make enough money in advertising revenue to continue to pay the purses his fighters might come to expect?
Could Miguel Cotto be the odd man out in the search for a June opponent? For weeks now, since Cotto signed an agreement with Roc Nation Sports (and upset everyone at Top Rank in the process), it has been rumored that Cotto would be facing IBF 154-lb champion Corneluis "K9" Bundrage (who is a promotional free agent) in New York City. However, news broke this week that Bundrage has also been in discussion with Top Rank to face Timothy Bradley in June, for Bundrage's IBF title. While nothing has been confirmed by Team Bundrage, it's clear that Top Rank is trying to leave Cotto hanging onto a date without a dance partner. Most view this as a power play by Top Rank, which it is. However, Cotto was still not wrong for signing with Roc Nation. While the terms of the contract were not disclosed, Roc Nation is promising its two major boxing stars, Cotto and Andre Ward, more than just the spotlight in the boxing world. The deal has as much to do with building a name brand as it does with performance in the ring. I'm sure Cotto knew he wasn't going to have his pick of opponents when he signed with Roc Nation, but he did know he was going to get paid regardless. Forget about who he faces next, Cotto is going to benefit financially from his contract with Roc Nation.
Who will be Cotto's opponent if it's not Bundrage? I mentioned a long shot in Erislandy Lara last week, but that is more of a pipe dream than anything else. Lara wants the fight, but he is advised by Al Haymon, so there's that. One name, who has been calling out Lara for a fight, might just receive a call from Roc Nation here pretty soon (if it hasn't already happened), and that's WBO 154-lb champion Demetrius Andrade. Andrade, who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Star Boxing, currently has no opponent and has been seeking a big fight for quite some time. While this may not be the best option, stylistically, for Cotto, Miguel has never shied away from a challenge. If all else falls through, don't be surprised to see Andrade get the nod against Cotto in a fight which Andrade would get paid much more than the $300,000 he was set to make against Jermell Charlo.
The real winner of the Cotto sweepstakes is none other than "K9" Bundrage. Bundrage is most likely set to receive a purse of close to, if not exceeding, $500,000 for whomever he fights. Roc Nation is clearly not afraid to pay top dollar for a fight. Top Rank just paid Bradley $2 million for his fight against Diego Chaves, so Bundrage could use that as leverage. One thing is for certain with Bundrage: after being promoted by Don King for years, he reads contracts very closely and will not sign a contract with options for extensions unless it is worth his while. So unless Top Rank or Roc Nation plans on giving Bundrage big money, Bundrage will not sign any extensions.
Congrats to Juergen Braehmer on successfully defending his WBA "regular" light heavyweight title on Saturday. Braehmer pounded fellow German Robin Krasniqi into submission en route to a 9th round technical decision win in front of a large German audience. Moving forward, the ideal scenario would be for Braehmer to face WBA "Super" light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in order to unify the division within the WBA; yet, Kovalev will instead be facing his mandatory challenger, #1 rated in the IBF, #4 rated in the WBA, and #2 rated in the WBO (with a notable absence from the WBC rankings) Nadjib Mohammed. Have I mentioned I hate sanctioning bodies?
It's a very solid week of action in boxing even though no mega-fights are taking place. On Showtime, Saturday, featherweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez puts his belt on the line against Gary Russell Jr, who looks to rebound from his first professional defeat at the hands of Vasyl Lomachenko. It should be a fun match-up stylistically. Jermell Charlo vs. Vanes Martirosyan is the scheduled co-feature in another fun fight. Also on Showtime, from Sheffield, England, IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook puts his title on the line against Jo Jo Dan. From Mexico, flyweight champion, Juan Francisco Estrada puts his belts on the line against Froilan Saludar on BeIN Sports. Finally, from the Philippines, Nonito Donaire makes his return against William Prado in the co-feature to Donnie Nietes vs. Gilberto Parra for Nietes' WBO 130lb title.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of fallen boxer Braydon Smith. Smith lost a unanimous decision to John Moralde on March 14th and died 2 days later in a Brisbane, Australia hospital. Smith collapsed 90 minutes after the fight and was placed in a medically induced coma before passing on Monday. May he rest in peace.
That's all I've got for this week. Email any questions or comments to dkassel@fighthype.com and I will answer them throughout the week. Your email may be featured in the next "Observe and Fight." Follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver, and be sure to "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook.
[ Follow David Kassel on Twitter @BoxingObserver ]