OnThEGRiND BOXiNG

Saturday December 26h, 2009
by K.M. Stansen

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao is possibly the largest prospective fight of the last twenty years. To put things into proper perspective here, I challenge anyone to think of a fight that involved the two fighters with such valid claims for ‘the greatest of their generation,’ that were at a point where they can and should face off. Pacquiao and Mayweather stand at a crossroads in time where they are not only within weight range of one another (weights where they both have proven themselves effective), but also are at or near their physical primes, all of which foreshadows a potential treat of legendary proportions.

A fight such as this is old school my friends. However, recent developments in the negotiation process are most distressing to any hardcore fan. When a fight featuring legend versus legend is proposed during this low risk generation, witnessing new school greed and safety first tactics threaten to put the breaks on the dream match before ink is put to paper, can’t be anything but troubling. My fellow fans, who or what do you believe is to blame here? The consensus so far amongst the pundits and casual fans alike, is that both sides are to blame. It appears that we’re experiencing the continued decay of old school ‘mano y mano’ ethics that were stabbed, shot, and then stuffed in the ground after the 1980s.

There may be a small measure of bias in wanting to indict one boxer over the other on a moral charge, but there are of course track records to consider. Firstly, both fighters have accomplished enough in their careers as a whole to be considered either Hall of Fame worthy or future All Time Greats, depending on how you rate your favorite pugilists. With that obligatory token of credit out of the way, one can briefly summarize the reality of the last five years. During this time frame one of these fighters has taken what fans saw as ‘near impossible’ risks, amongst other still very challenging threats, facing the very best around. It’s also proper to note that the other fighter has been the archetype of the modern day low risk/high reward pound for pounder. I will not name names. Boxing fans know exactly what is being addressed, and because of that a long and boring play by play of both of their 2004 to 2009 track records while fighting in the big time, is not necessary.

As 2010 begins, as expected, the negotiations between these two stars have been brutally shameful. What should have been a 50/50 split, a well planned choice of venue to hold this mega event, and a few other particulars, has devolved into a “cluster-fuck.” Wrongful steroid allegations, obscene money demands on weight, silly minor detail disputes that never realistically matter, and then rumors coming down the pipeline every five minutes. Typical modern boxing super fight negotiations…only it appears that this fight may be put off at least for a while, which is something that none of us want.

Let’s delve into the basics of the problem…Mayweather’s side wants obscene Olympic style drug tests placed on just this fight, which includes multiple random blood tests all the way up to within two days of the fight. If anyone has had blood work done, they know full and well that having blood drawn consistently, acts as a severe weakening agent. Then, to the best of everyone’s knowledge outside of this grand mess, Pacquaio’s team has stated that they would submit to stricter testing, but only up to within five days of the fight. Urine testing within two days of the fight has been offered by Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum as well, and to the best of my knowledge it can serve as a reasonable replacement for that small window of time, to satisfy Team Mayweather’s concerns. It is correct to state that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has every right, to make sure in full that the man he will be fighting is clean from performance enhancers. A more rigorous testing program is completely reasonable, but not a ridiculous program that would serve to physically weaken his opponent.

It should be noted that the allegations of Manny being a steroid user, despite his being proven clean via the standard tests his entire career, indeed originated at least publicly from Floyd Mayweather Sr. (although Golden Boy’s Richard Schaeffer is now facing allegations that he may have started the steroid controversy in a conversation with a journalist), of all people. These unfounded allegations then picked up steam by way of careless and unnecessary statements made by Pacquaio’s team in defense of the accusations. In addition, a set of noted fighters; Paul Malignaggi, Kermit Cintron and Andre Berto, are all posturing publicly and running their mouths. These fighters have worsened the situation by slandering Pacquaio’s name with their steroid use assumptions, in a saga that can now count attention whoring among it’s many acts.

Pacquaio’s side wants to enforce the rules on weight limit, and rightfully so, because Floyd did not make the contracted weight in his last bout. Team Pacquiao’s demand of 10 million dollars for every pound over the welterweight limit though is excessive. This demand is not as trying as Mayweather’s team’s demands on the blood tests, but it is no doubt very excessive in itself. However, given that Manny has never tested positive for performance enhancers in his entire career, and that Floyd in his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez wouldn’t even publicly disclose what weight he was fighting at (paying Marquez a lump sum to forget about it), it may be correct to say that team Pacquaio’s demands here have a little more value.

Another factor recently disclosed to me by my sources, is that Floyd himself is not as confident in his abilities at this point in time in his career as he would lead one to believe. Confident enough that is, to deal with a hurricane style like Manny Pacquaio’s. It’s been stated that this could be due to his growing accustomed to fighting paced fights, and not having to dig deep in years save for the fight against Ricky Hatton…half of the challenge that Pacquiao is.

The Verdict
One of the combatants in this particular prospective super match has never been found guilty of what the other side originally put out as a silly allegation, that sadly became inflamed and filled with puss. His track record speaks for itself, and includes his taking the highest risks that were reasonably possible to take, at the times when he took them.

The other combatant has carries the distinct mantle of being the prototype of this generation’s low risk/high reward Hall of Famer. He has violated the rules as recently as his last fight, and this infraction is addressed by the other side’s correct, but very excessive demands.

In conclusion, with all of the tripe coming from the rumor mill, the insider sources and the skeptic fans alike, it is perhaps right for the world of boxing to blame both sides if this fight does not come off. Although, a heavier portion of the blame would have to go to the larger man, the recent violator of the rules, and the one who holds the far weaker track record of putting himself in a position of risk. It’s only human you see, after a certain point of no return, to point fingers… and to express distaste, whether bias or not.

Regards,
KM Stansen