by Jason Alcairo: Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions has effectively told Bob Arum and Top Rank to take a hike. The disagreement over random blood testing of the fighters is apparently more of an obstacle than it really should be.
“It does not make sense for this to be a commission matter, “Schaefer told Yahoo Sports. He continued, “This is a contractual matter. The commission did not decide the weights or the purse split or how the foreign television rights would be sold.”
So my question is this: If the commission decides to urine test the fighters in the fights that it sanctions, couldn’t it also be their decision to blood test if necessary? Actually, yeah. It’s exactly a commission matter to decide. Of course, Golden Boy Promotions can request blood tests for the fighters, but they told Zab Judah that Shane Mosley doesn’t have to test unless the Nevada State Athletic Commission deemed it necessary, which they didn’t. So what’s the deal, Richie?
This whole matter could be an attempt to hype it all up for later in the year. But I don’t think this whole conflict has left anything but a bad taste in the boxing community’s mouth. I would still like to see the fight of course, but Golden Boy Promotions having told Arum to sit and spin, I guess we should look for what stay busy fights we can expect them both to take.
For Pacquiao, there is Yuri Foreman and Paulie Malignaggi. I won’t address his fight with Marquez, which while I’m sure could sell better than Paulie and would sell better than Foreman, it couldn’t possibly live up to the first two unless you’re looking to see Marquez be outclassed by Pacquiao. You couldn’t possibly be surprised if it did happen since Manny adjusts and carries his extra weight naturally. Love Marquez, but no. Not happening for him.
Foreman was surprisingly good in taking his title but his title came from Daniel Santos. At 5’11”, he would be taller than Manny by a good 4 inches and he’s in good shape. It may actually prove to be a competitive fight and since he’s mostly unknown outside of boxing, it could be a true test of Manny’s drawing power. However, should Manny win it would be another write off as a title grab on his part. 8 titles would still be 2 above the record he had broken. I personally don’t think he should take it, but, eh.
Malignaggi has a small fan base and is a good fighter but doesn’t hit nearly hard enough to phase Manny, though his stinging jabs can swell and cut as proven in his first fight against Juan Diaz. However, Manny can move in and out and should he catch Paulie, he’d pound him into oblivion. Great for a payday, but man would I not envy him.
For Floyd, Matthew Hatton has been a well circulated rumor and I know he wants to fight in the UK where his acclaim is picking up a little steam but he can’t possibly take that fight if he wants to keep claiming supremacy in the boxing world. I don’t think he’d fight Timothy Bradley but should he take a fight like that against the current top dog of the Jr Welterweights (Pacquiao excluded as he probably won’t jump back down barring a loss if he fights Mayweather), I would be the first to give him props for fighting someone who is just as good as people say he is.
My guess is he might try and get another welterweight strap and fight Jan Zavec, the newly crowned IBF champion who knocked out Isaac Hlatshwayo in November. His style is pretty straight forward though he took the fight in a one sided manner, dropping Isaac in every round until the knockout in round 3. Or, he could even challenge Mosley who would be fresh off his fight against Berto should he win. Or even Berto while we’re playing the “Let’s Speculate Wildly” game.
Anyways, I hope the fight really isn’t dead.It would be a blow to boxing and both camp’s credibility if they walk away. Feel free to leave predictions in the comment section.I’d love to see the predictions of my fellow boxing fans.
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