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| Pacquiao makes 'final' Mayweather offer • Pacquiao will not submit to Olympic-style blood tests• Promoter threatens to find new opponent for FilipinoFloyd Mayweather Jr and his representatives have until tomorrow morning to agree to the alleged final compromise offered by the promoter Bob Arum on behalf of Manny Pacquiao over drug testing for their $200m (£125m) mega-fight, scheduled with all the certainty of rain in a desert for 13 March in Las Vegas.If they refuse the deal – which is essentially the same one Arum proposed last week – the 78-year-old promoter says he will start talks immediately with the New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi to stand in on that date. "That deal will take about an hour to make," he said.Arum, who has played a pivotal role in the dispute, last night repeated for Sports Illustrated's website that Pacquiao is willing to take unlimited urine tests and three blood tests – two of them no later than 30 days before the contest – but not the Olympic-style examination of random blood tests being demanded by Mayweather's deal makers. He wants the argument settled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which meet next on 19 January.The initial response to that NSAC deadline from Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, which works closely with Mayweather, was luke-warm. "Given the time frame," Schaefer told Associated Press, "it's not going to work. There's not much to be said. They might as well not do it. What's random about that? Nothing. Is it effective? No. Does it do anything? No."Arum retorted: "This is unprecedented. Our expert says blood tests are ridiculous. But we will let the commission decide. They are the governing body."It seems implausible to anyone unfamiliar with the workings of professional boxing that two experienced promoters acting on behalf of the two biggest box-office names in the sport could wilfully wreck a fight that will break all revenue records. The posturing has been intense since early negotiations hinted at a smooth passage to the big date.Then Mayweather voiced concerns about Pacquiao's phenomenal punching power going up through the weights, ignoring the fact that he too has risen from 106lbs on past the welterweight division that Pacquiao currently rules.Pacquiao has won versions of seven world titles, Mayweather five. Their fight is fixed at 147lbs. Mayweather has agreed to a $10m penalty for every pound he comes in over that weight.In that context it seems extraordinary he would jeopardise the promotion, but that is the tone of the rhetoric emerging on a daily basis from both camps.What has been overlooked is whether Pacquiao, or any boxer, would benefit from the use of performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids and human growth hormone. It is at best a dubious assumption, given boxing is a discipline that demands a high degree of flexibility, rather than mere muscle bulk.Pacquiao has instructed Arum to sue Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr, and Golden Boy Promotions for alleging he has used banned substances. If that action were to be prosecuted, postponement or even cancellation of the fight would be a distinct possibility. Meanwhile, this contest remains burdened by more deadlines than an old-fashioned newspaper.BoxingManny PacquiaoFloyd MayweatherKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Manchester United and England given timely boost by return to fitness of Rio Ferdinand England’s preparations for the World Cup finals have been given a huge boost with Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, signalling yesterday that Rio Ferdinand is over the worst of his injury problems. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Sir Alex Ferguson counts the cost of prudence at Manchester United It was October 2005, Budapest airport when Sir Alex Ferguson was approached by anti-Glazer militants. He was waiting by the carousel for his bags when they started giving him a hard time for not opposing the takeover. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
American Isner wins Auckland for 1st tour title AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- American John Isner defeated Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (2) Saturday to win the Heineken Open for his first ATP Tour singles title.... hosted.ap.org |
Brad Childress: Vikings will not put a deadline on Brett Favre for a decision Vikings QB Brett Favre met with coach Brad Childress at the team's headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Tuesday, but Childress said Favre ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |