Just as their fight might finally be in the process of being made, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are both facing more drama outside the ring.
This time Mayweather has gotten into a nightclub scrape with a bunch of rappers and Pacquiao is being called as a witness in a case between two of his friends. Although specific details aren’t given, the case is between Freddie Roach and one of Manny’s friends who had dropped him off at the gym
It is only the latest in a long line of lawsuits for Roach, who also has a case against him from a boxing writer he allegedly pushed and threatened to kill. This also puts Manny in a difficult position if the entourage member is a close friend of his.
The trial apparently starts tomorrow and Manny can be called as a witness for either party, although whether he will or not isn’t clear at this stage. I doubt either Roach or Pacquiao’s friend would want to interrupt Manny’s training or ten or so other careers he keeps on top of at the moment.
Still, given that its Manny Pacquiao we’re talking about here, it shouldn’t interfere with his training for his still unknown opponent in March. The pride of the Philippines is probably pretty used to all the chaotic goings on which his camp seems to attract by now, and if he isn’t he still doesn’t let it affect his performance in the ring. Freddie Roach for example is regularly clashing with Michael Koncz, and the pair seem to spend a lot of time in camp pulling tricks on each other.
Rick Ross performs prior to his scuffle (Photo:TMZ)
Floyd and his entourage were in a brief shoving match with rapper and wearing-shades-in-a-nightclub aficionado Rick Ross and friends during a night out. The two groups bumped into each other at a nightclub opening being hosted by fellow wannabe gangster Diddy.
Odd considering all three are millionaires, Floyd is a boxer and Ross was at one time a corrections officer. But I suppose in their own minds they are all gangsters at heart.
Not a particularly good career move by either man really though, what with Floyd being a professional boxer and a lot of rappers having a tendency to carry guns on them at all times. The last thing Ross needs is to get knocked out and the last thing Floyd needs is to get shot, particularly as he might be about to become a rich as he is always bragging to everyone.
Ross himself has been arrested in the past for gun and marijuana possession, both of which are things Floyd should avoid. Particularly the latter is he wants stringent testing for his bout with Manny Pacquiao.
Floyd (centre, dressed as an early 19th century pilot) in the club (Photo:TMZ)
(Not that Floyd would do it, but rappers have a tenancy to flout laws and smoke that kind of thing wherever they want and it would only take one breath for Floyd to potentially wreck his career.)
In the end hero of the hour Diddy, also known as Sean Combes, Puff Daddy and P Diddy at various stages of his life, was able to break up the fight before it got too serious.
The always eloquent Floyd Mayweather Sr. explained in detail that the pair had a history due to Ross “talking ****” (feces) in the past. Completely appropriate response from both parties then, particularly an athlete who is in the middle of a media storm at the moment.
In actual fact the feud started a number of months ago when Ross released a song claiming Floyd wasn’t as rich as he made out (or suitably rap-esque words to that effect). From there Mayweather and 50 cent posed in pictures with Ross’ ex-girlfriend and several of his children to annoy the burly bearded one, which obviously went down like a lead balloon with Ross and his chums.
Not that long ago boxers used to just fight in the ring and that was pretty much it. Still it isn’t the kind of press that either man needs ahead of what still might be the biggest fight in the sports history (fingers crossed). To be fair to Manny his story isn’t his fault, but Floyd doesn’t need any of the kind of attention having feuds with rappers gets him.
