By Chris Williams: World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao said he’s open to fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the near future, saying in an article at USA Today “I am open to him fighting me anytime he wants to.” That sounds really nice, but what Pacquiao isn’t saying is whether he’ll be agreeable to taking the random blood tests that Mayweather wants all of his opponents to take before he fights them.
Recently, Pacquiao, his promoter Bob Arum, and trainer Freddie Roach, have been saying that there won’t be a fight unless Mayweather signs a contract without the blood testing to be part of it. However, if Pacquiao knows how Mayweather feels about the blood testing, then he might as well give up on the idea of fighting him if he’s not willing to take the blood tests.
Pacquiao is only going to end up frustrating fans by mentioning Mayweather’s name, as if they can fight in the future when he doesn’t plan on taking the random blood tests that Mayweather wants. I suppose Pacquiao could change his mind about taking the blood tests, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that happening. It just doesn’t seem like something he or his promoter Arum are going to be willing to do, no matter how many millions that a fight with Mayweather would make.
Pacquiao says “I came this far in my boxing career without Mayweather, so I see no need to call him out. He needs me to bolster his career.” I don’t understand Pacquiao. Once second he’s saying he’s open to fighting Mayweather and then in the next breath he’s making it seem like not a big deal if he doesn’t fight him. And I don’t understand Pacquiao’s passive approach to fighting Mayweather. Pacquiao is saying he’s “open to him fighting me.” What is that? Do you want to fight him or not? That sounds kind of weird to me. I don’t know how open Pacquiao is to fighting Mayweather.
After all, it was Pacquiao’s side that ended negotiations with Mayweather last time and chose to fight Joshua Clottey instead. Mayweather was still interested in cutting a deal. He didn’t disappear and sign a contract with Clottey. Yeah, that one turned out real well, didn’t it? Nice one-sided fight against an opponent that fought uncharacteristically like a sparring partner for 12 rounds.
I can’t see Arum negotiating with Mayweather. I just can’t. I think Arum will give Mayweather a take it or leave it offer, which of course Mayweather will reject. Arum will then probably continue with his fights planned for Pacquiao, putting him in with Top Rank fighters Antonio Margarito, Yuri Foreman, Edwin Valero, and a rematch against Miguel Cotto. That’s what we’ll be seeing unless I miss my guess.
The Valero fight is interesting, but it won’t mean much for the casual boxing fan right now because they have no idea who Valero is yet. He hasn’t been fighting on cable long enough for anyone to care. But the main thing is there probably won’t be a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. I just don’t see there being any real give and take negotiation between Arum and Mayweather. Like I said, it will be a take or leave it offer, and that’ll be it. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s what I see happening. I don’t think there’s a whole of urgency on their part to make this fight.
Pacquiao adds “He [Mayweather] should win against Mosley. If not, Mosley and I will fight. My own mother asked me to stop boxing. We’ll talk about it.” First of all, if Mosley beats Mayweather, there won’t be a fight between Mosley and Pacquiao, at least not right away. Mayweather has a rematch clause in his contract with Mosley, so it will be another fight between Mayweather and Mosley. Then, if Mosley beats Mayweather a second time, Pacquiao could get his fight with Mosley. That won’t happen for awhile obviously. As for Pacquiao retiring from boxing, I’ll believe that when I see it. I don’t think he will regardless if he wins his election for political office. I don’t think he’s going to win the position anyway.
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