After months of “Golden Silence”, Oscar De La Hoya publicly announced that the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr is close to being finalized. If this is true, then this is exactly the news that millions of boxing fans have been desperately waiting for. But, can we really trust Oscar’s announcement? Let’s examine further: In an interview with Univision, Oscar De La Hoya said the following: Should Manny Pacquiao change his 14 day cut-off compromise? “Up until now, it’s been a very difficult negotiation process for various reasons but right now we’re very close. We’re very close in finalizing the contracts that were once very complicated. The two fighters now realize that this fight must be made. It has to be made because the boxing fans want to see it happen and right now it’s the biggest fight that can be made in the world.” Difficult Negotiations Perhaps, Oscar De La Hoya should have broken his silence earlier and told his “Pretty Boy” to quit making foolish demands. I’m sure Bob Arum isn’t the most pleasant of individuals to negotiate with, but Floyd Jr was the one making the ‘prima donna’ demands like a larger share of the fight purse. Realization I’m confused by Oscar’s comment that “the two fighters now realize that this fight must be made”. Perhaps, he really meant that Floyd Mayweather Jr now realizes that this fight must be made. Perhaps, Floyd realizes that he can’t take 1-2 years off or avoid the Pacquiao fight anymore. Manny Pacquiao has been willing to fight Floyd Jr for a while now. Floyd’s Retirement Until I hear Floyd Mayweather Jr come out and publicly denounce his statements that he’s going to take 1-2 years off, I’m very skeptical of Oscar’s comments. I wish I could believe that the fight is close to being finalized, but the truth is there have been so many hurdles, twists, and turns that it’s become difficult to trust anything that involves Floyd Jr. NSAC Ruling on Blood Testing I find it hard to believe that the NSAC’s hearing won’t have an impact on this fight. The public hearing resulted in the commission basically saying blood testing is potentially dangerous close to a fight and that they prefer to only test urine. This goes against everything Floyd Mayweather Jr’s ‘drug crusade’ was about. We’re talking no random blood tests within 3-4 weeks of the fight. I’d like to know if Oscar De La Hoya made his comments, to Univision, before or after what the Nevada State Athletic Commission had concluded. How will Floyd Jr respond to the NSAC destroying his “drug crusade”? Conclusion Until I see both fighters step into the ring, I don’t believe what Oscar De La Hoya has said. Why would Floyd Mayweather Jr come out and say he’s taking 1-2 years off during an appearance with the Make-A-Wish Foundation? And, why would Leonard Ellerbe come out and tell the Grand Rapids Press that Floyd Mayweather Jr has no interest in discussing boxing; and that there haven’t even been any talks with Top Rank? So, we have Oscar De La Hoya and Roger Mayweather in one corner and Floyd Mayweather Jr and Leonard Ellerbe in another corner. Both sides are making statements that contradict each other. If they are so close to finalizing the contracts, then why would Floyd Jr and Leonard Ellerbe make their statements. It’s not like every little detail that goes on doesn’t get magnified 1000 times by the media world-wide. I’ve said before, when it comes to Floyd Mayweather Jr you can trust the “Money”. And there will be a lot of money in this fight which is why I think it ultimately happens; but not until next year. I think Floyd Jr is grown comfortable in fighting only once a year. So, boxing fans don’t get your hopes up. You can’t be 100% sure on anything that comes from Team Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions. In fact, you can’t be 100% sure until Floyd Jr actually touches gloves with Manny Pacquiao.
