Manny Pacquiao’s megabout with Floyd Mayweather “is definitely off” for March 13 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas after the Mayweather camp “flatly rejected” the WBO welterweight champion’s proposal that the challenger apologize for statements made concerning Pacquiao’s alledged steroid use, as well as Pacquiao’s proposal that he be randomly blood-tested no closer than within 24 days of the fight.
The proposal was presented during a two-day, meditation meeting with federal court judge, Daniel Weinstein to Golden Boy Promotions — whose CEO, Richard Schaefer, and, president, Oscar De La Hoya, represented Mayweather — and involving Paquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, of Top Rank Promotions, and president, Todd duBoef.
FansHouse was informed of the development by Michael Konz, Pacquiao’s promoter, from the Philippines where he is with the fighter. The mediation had taken place at Weinstein’s Santa Monica office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS).
“The proposal was very simple: They would be allowed to do testing within up to 24 days of the fight, and the tests would be supervised, pursuant and under the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s jurisdiction, and that they would give a full apology in regard to comments made about Manny and their false allegations that he had been taking performance enhancing drugs,” said Michael Koncz of Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts).
“I was informed about 30 minutes ago that that was flatly refused by the Mayweather people, and that’s a rejection of the reccommendation of the arbitrator, so we’re not going to stay around and wait, because we have nothing to negotiatiate,” said Koncz. “It’s not all about money to Manny. No. 1, they have made some statements that are very detrimental and that have harmed Manny. Even with a full retraction, I don’t think that the damage can be resolved.”
Koncz said that Pacquiao will move ahead with his defamation of character lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $75,000, which contends the Mayweather camp has damaged his reputation by demanding that both fighters be randomly drug-tested using urinalysis as well as blood work.
Filed Wendesday by Los Angeles-based attorney, Dan Petrocelli, the suit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Schaefer and De La Hoya as well as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., and the fighter’s uncle, Roger Mayweather.
Koncz said that Pacquiao will not look at fighting either New York’s newly-crowned Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight KOs) either on March 13 or March 20 at The MGM Grand or the Thomas & Mack Center, “or someone else.”
A seven-division champion, Pacquiao could win an eighth by defeating Foreman.
“Manny watched a few tapes of Yuri Formen, but he’s not our only choice,” said Koncz. “Manny had some concerns about his height, so that’s not quite settled yet. It may be Yuri, but it may not be Yuri Foreman.”
