Bob Arum informed Sports Illustrated that if Floyd Mayweather does not agree to let the Nevada States Athletic Commission handle the messy decision of how and when to drug test Manny Pacquiao for performance enhancing drugs, a bout between his Filipino star and Paulie Malignaggi is looming.
Arum went as far as saying that a bout with Malignaggi could be finalized in less than an hour.
I envision Lou DiBella, Malignaggi’s promoter, seating by his phone waiting for Top Rank or Arum’s number to flash on his call waiting screen, rubbing his hands nervously.
Interestingly enough, I have written it once and will write it again, Malignaggi himself questioned Pacquiao’s cleanliness in relation to performance enhancing drugs.
Boxing fans hold their breath, waiting for Mayweather to give in on his demands for an Olympic style drug test and place the fate of testing in the hands of Nevada.
But if I was Floyd, would I allow the State of Nevada to make the ruling on a drug test? A State that makes millions of dollars every year from revenue brought in by Top Rank Promotions – and Manny Pacquiao? The fine individuals on the Nevada State Athletic Commission could be swayed from their long standing relationship with Arum.
The reality of Mayweather – Pacquiao March Madness is starting to look like a pipe dream.
So if Arum sticks by his guns and brings in slap happy boxer Paulie Malignaggi for the March 13 date, I predict a negative uproar from boxing fans who demanded Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
I would be the first to lead the “Boycott Paulie vs. Pacquiao and all things Boxing” movement. Boycott all of Top Rank, Golden Boy (Pacquiao’s co-promoter and advisers to Mayweather), and HBO Boxing’s (the broadcast arm of Pacquiao – Mayweather) events until they deliver the fight the world asked for in November.
Let us hope Floyd backs down on his stance regarding drug testing, for the good of the sport.
