When negotiations began for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather megafight, things were going along smoothly. Outside of the request for the weight penalty, which is not unprecedent considering that Mayweather just paid a penalty for not making weight in his last bout, there were no out-of-the-ordinary demands made by either side. That was until the subject of Olympic-style testing came up. Originally, Pacquiao was more than willing to offer three samples of blood: one prior to the first press conference, another 30 days before the fight and a final one immediately after the fight. That wasn't enough, however, as Team Mayweather insisted on an unspecified number of random tests throughout the course of training camp.
Golden Boy Promotions, who represented Mayweather in negotiations, quickly began a campaign of propaganda to raise doubt about Pacquiao's credibility as a clean fighter. A press release was sent out implying he was unwilling to comply with the requests for Olympic-style drug testing. De La Hoya insinuated doubt about where his power comes from, comparing his punches to that of two admitted PED abusers in Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas. The campaign would continue as interview after interview, members of Team Mayweather would slyly make suggestions that there was something unnatural when it comes to Pacquiao's performances. Finally, a line in the sand was drawn as Manny Pacquiao rightfully stood his ground, refuting the false claims.
Who is Floyd Mayweather to say he's above boxing and can make demands for new rules beyond the ones that already exist for the sport? The humble Pacquiao has never said a bad word about any opponent, has never been dirty inside of the ring and has never broken any rule, including those pertaining to drugs, outside of the ring. I'm sorry, but it is Floyd who is in the wrong for even questioning Pacquiao's success, particularly when he's never questioned the success of any of his other opponents in the past. His demands for giving blood were over the top to begin with, and yet, Pacquiao was willing to comply. However, Mayweather's insistance of the randomness of the testing, making it appear as though Pacquiao had something to hide, that was the last straw and the reason why this fight isn't happening.
Don't blame Manny Pacquiao. According to the rules that every other boxer has ever followed, he's never done anything wrong. In fact, Pacquiao hasn't even been in trouble with the law. Can the same be said for Floyd Mayweather? I don't think so.
Thanks Floyd...we boxing fans really appreciate you ruining a great 2010 all because of your paranoid delusions. I thought you were supposed to be the best of the best...the creme de la creme...the pound-for-pound best! Call me crazy, but I don't think any pound-for-pound great should be as paranoid as you.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REBUTTAL: MEGAFIGHT DOOMED! THANKS MANNY!