By Robert Morales
Promoter Bob Arum told the Associated Press on Thursday the proposed March 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is "over." But Arum told BoxingScene.com later in the day that if the Mayweather's side backs off its demand to use the United States Anti-Doping Agency to administer Olympic-style testing on both he and Pacquiao, the fight can still be contested.
"Get rid of USADA, bring in one of the agencies that do the NFL and NBA and we'll tell them what kind of testing we want and they will do it for us and the fight will go on," said Arum, Pacquiao's promoter.
Arum, who said he is on the brink of leaving for a vacation in Mexico, went on to reiterate he would be in favor of a system administered by one of the agencies that test NFL or NBA players. He said the USADA system - which could require as many as 12 urine tests and five blood tests taken randomly through the promotion - is too intrusive.
Arum said many athletes have complained the testing done by the USADA has affected their performances. The system could result in a blood test the day before an event.
"It may be the same thing that is in the minds of a lot of athletes, particularly boxers, that if you have sex before a fight, it can affect your performance," Arum said.
Arum would prefer an arrangement that results in a blood test no later than 30 days prior to the fight. But Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, told the Associated Press he would be willing to let Pacquiao take a blood test as late as five days prior to the bout.
Arum confirmed he has made a call to Lou DiBella, Paul Malignaggi's promoter, about Malignaggi replacing Mayweather.
Mayweather is being represented by Golden Boy Promotions. Its CEO, Richard Schaefer, said he had been working all day Thursday and would continue to work through Christmas to try to find a solution that would allow the fight to take place.