Mayweather lambastes Pacquiao for bout halt
Source: Agencies |
January 9, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FLOYD Mayweather Jr. blamed Manny Pacquiao for the collapse of their prospective bout on Thursday, claiming the Filipino boxer refuses to accept a reasonable compromise on drug testing.
Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight, which was slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas before Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared it dead on Wednesday.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement that began with Mayweather saying he's "thoroughly disgusted" by Pacquiao's representatives' attempts to blame him for the collapse of what's likely to be the richest bout in boxing history.
"In my opinion it is Manny Pacquiao and his team who are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever," Mayweather said. "I know the people will see through their smoke screens and lies. I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."
The sides went to mediation on Tuesday in Santa Monica, California, in an attempt to resolve the drug testing issues that are the only remaining conflicts in the negotiation. Mayweather's demands for frequent blood testing beyond the Nevada Athletic Commission's requirements -- and Pacquiao's reluctance to agree -- have derailed the bout.
Mayweather initially demanded repeated blood testing right up to the day of the fight, while Pacquiao asked for a 30-day cutoff before the bout. Mayweather now claims he agreed to a 14-day cutoff compromise before the mediation, but Pacquiao still wouldn't accept.
"The truth is he just doesn't want to take the tests," Mayweather said.
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