SCHAEFER and ELLERBE go at ARUM..... Hard!

Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Floyd Finally Takes Upper Hand in Ongoing Press Battle Manny Pacquiao's public approval rating has taken a bit of a hit the last three days. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Manny Pacquiao's public approval rating has taken a bit of a hit the last three days. After three years of talking and taunting, grand boasts, failed negotiations and attempts to gain the upper hand by both sides, it looks like we've reached a turning point: Floyd Mayweather Jr may be winning the press battle against Team Pacquiao, and it might be getting a little one-sided. Let me make this clear to start: This is mostly not about Manny Pacquiao. The two fighters have both spoken less than their representatives. For Manny, it's been Bob Arum, Freddie Roach, and even Alex Ariza. For Floyd, we've had Leonard Ellerbe yapping a lot, plus Golden Boy heads Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, who would co-promote the fight even though Floyd doesn't officially work for them. Pacquiao has long been pressed by media to "call out" Mayweather, to make a bold stand. "Yes, I want to fight him," is what we've wanted Pacquiao to say. But the best he's ever mustered up in that regard is, "Let's give the people what they want." It's the same, but it's not. Now, Mayweather has also never really clearly stated, "I want to fight Manny Pacquiao. I want Manny Pacquiao!" Like Pacquiao, he's said it, but he hasn't. More often, Ellerbe says that Floyd said it. But Mayweather, whose team is savvier and less blunt than Arum in particular, has made a greater declaration of desire than Team Pacquiao. One statement in particular gets Pacquiao criticized over and over: "I'll fight whoever Bob Arum/Top Rank/my promoter puts in front of me." Yes, we know. But shouldn't the money man pull the strings? If he wants Mayweather, why doesn't he force the issue? Star-divide The spin today is all Mayweather, quite frankly, and Manny and Co. are reeling on the ropes. Top Rank has officially told the other side they won't be negotiating to have Pacquiao fight Mayweather on May 5, opting instead to try to make a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. There are ways to understand this, and yet it's still so easy to just say, "Well, that's it. Top Rank clearly doesn't want this fight." That's exactly what Team Mayweather is saying right now, too. From ESPN.com: "I am sick and tired of Bob Arum twisting the truth. It's another case of 'yesterday I was lying, today I'm telling the truth,' " Schaefer said, invoking Arum's most famous quote. "The truth of the matter is that we received this afternoon an email from retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein, who has informed us that Top Rank is pursuing a rematch with Marquez and, therefore, is not interested in immediate talks for a possible Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. This is obviously as clear as it can be that they have no intentions of making a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. Therefore, Floyd Mayweather will have no other choice than to move on and identify and lock in another opponent for his ring return on May 5." ... "In my opinion, you have three cowards -- Bob Arum, (Pacquiao trainer) Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao," Ellerbe told ESPN.com. "Now we all know the truth once and for all why this fight hasn't been made. It should be clear to everyone that they don't care what the fans want, especially when Floyd is ready, willing and able to fight Manny Pacquiao now. Floyd said if this isn't clear, he doesn't know what is." Arum, in his own defense, says that there's no reason to sit down with Mayweather right now, as they are focused on making a fourth Marquez fight. That's a fair enough point, but it doesn't answer the question of why they're so dead-set focused on making a fourth Marquez fight instead of facing Mayweather. Yes, Pacquiao vs Marquez III was very competitive, fairly controversial, and an exciting fight. But it's still worth far less money than Manny vs Floyd, and the public demand is much, much lower. If it's a case of Manny Pacquiao demanding to set the record straight with Marquez in yet another fight, then OK -- but why has he never outright demanded that the fight with Mayweather be made? The Mayweather side has convinced the majority of the public at this point that this fight is not being made because of one man: Bob Arum. Either Arum doesn't want to line Floyd's pockets thanks to their nasty grudge, or Arum just plain doesn't want the fight, and you can call that fear if you want to. Manny Pacquiao's PR stock has taken a hit the last three days, among a lot of boxing fans. He is right now at his most questionable, in and out of the ring. Some isn't his fault. Some might be. But that's the way it is today. And Mayweather, finally, has taken the advantage in their eternal press battle. He no longer is playing the bad guy, as the sides are becoming shades of grey. http://www.badlefthook.com/2011/11/15/2565341/mayweather-vs-pacquiao-no-fight-may-5-bob-arum-team-mayweather-ellerbe-comments

Comments (20)

egg- zaklyyyyy The guy is an idiot who wasted time writing an essay theres ready answers too

14y ago

Gino_Ros

weak copout. You type an essay worth of nonsense then get tired after all of it has been refuted. egg- zaklyyyyy

14y ago

Kenny_MF_Powers

Holy **** this is tiring. Lol. Same tiresome arguments we can all go on and on with. I'm done for today. I need a break. http://bigpichost.com/files/tapout_ypjo21g9.gif

14y ago

MindBat

Holy **** this is tiring. Lol. Same tiresome arguments we can all go on and on with. I'm done for today. I need a break. Hold on answer the question: "What if Many failed the test?"

14y ago

tredh

To me I just don't get how Floyd and his camp been saying to take the test a few weeks ago, Ellerbe as well, but he didn't say it after saturday, he said something about Floyd koing pacquiao and they can do Marquez later but they didn't negotiate anything new and the USDA/wada thing was still before the Marquez fight but they didn't negotiate with team Pac lately cause he was training for Marquez. So why was he saying to take the test in interviews but now they don't have a prob with it and they're saying nanny needs to man up? Yea it's an afterthought but if manny really did agree a while ago and if Floyd held the fight up then he's just as guilty as manny is now if manny is holding the fight up. You can't just blame one and not the other and if manny is holding up the fight it is bull**** but in my opinion I really do feel Floyd held up the fight somewhat. But that's why people like us have these debates and thanks for not calling me names like this other poster did, just cause I had an opinion. Don't me wrong I felt both sides been on some BS for a while. Why bring up take the tests if it really no longer and issue? I get why you skeptical of that from PBF but like I said before Arum said something similar last year only for it to come out that he was lying about the testing. They both have been guilty of not doing all in their power to get this fight done. No reason to call you a name this back and forth has been civil and respectful. The way it should be on here all day everyday but we see how that goes. Good rapping man!

14y ago

bayareamike

Holy **** this is tiring. Lol. Same tiresome arguments we can all go on and on with. I'm done for today. I need a break.

14y ago

MindBat

14y ago

VWEBB

Signs of slipping Floyd brought this up before the fight~ and was Manny slipping during the first two JMM fights~ According to many of his fans Manny beat Mosley more impressively (LOL) than Floyd did, so did he look good in that fight or not~ Truly hilarious, which is why I will never take a bunch of those "fans" serious.

14y ago

bayareamike

Floyd clearly said there will still be ost for all of his fights.you just failed. I failed? Lol. How would it look if Floyd didn't have ost for other fights when he said he came to clean the sport up? He's only gonna make manny do it? YOU just failed. Not me. As soon as he made those allegations he pretty much had to make all other fighters do it. If he didn't it wouldn't be a good look homie. If he came out from the start saying "all my fights have to be ost" I wouldn't have a problem. Go to the fighthype timeline.

14y ago

bayareamike

14y ago

boxing2106

14y ago

tredh

I forgot to put that's it's my opinion that he wasn't confident before. Why else would he ask for ost when he's said he's easy work? A lot of the Floyd fanatics said mannys been hand fed shot, overrated bums that suit mannys style or they're not credible opponents, but he's on peds? Well which is it? May announced may 5 before but why? He didn't negotiate the date with team pac, how do you know he didn't arrange it with a different opponent? The USDA wada thing another poster brought up.. That was before they signed to fight Marquez months ago. Just a week or two ago, in interviews, Floyd said for pacquiao to take the test. Been saying it for years but only when pacquiao looks horrible then "testings not an issue". To me, IN MY OPINION, it looks suspect. And I love Floyd as a fighter. And my gf thought Marquez won the fight and although I thought the fight was a draw, I don't think Marquez won clearly but to me he didn't lose either. Pacquiaos lucky he went in being champion otherwise I think he would've lost cause usually they give the champion the benefit of doubt Me personally I hadn't been that impressed by what I saw from Manny to say he was juicing. I do feel the people he fought at the time he fought them were not at their best. I don't think that is really up for debate. Now what made feel doubt towards Manny when it came to the juice was his and his teams reactions to all that stuff. It just wasn't the way I thought he should react. That is not to say Manny shouldn't have felt truly disrespected cause he could have. But the sh!t they was on was very shady. Your strenght coach just can't come out and say stuff like "Manny doesn't know what he takes or I give him" That statement is not right no matter how you look at. If you asked a broad to take a AIDS test and she said "no just believe me I am clean" and you don't know her like that. Would just believe her and fvck her raw? I know I wouldn't. Until proven otherwise whats being said from PBF camp is the May 5 is for PBF vs Manny. You nor do I know it is really set up for anybody else. Since when did PBF say "testing is not a issue" those are Arum's words. PBF announce a week before the fight May 5 was for Manny. So why are still talking about how Manny looked in a fight a week after that announcement? PBF can't tell the future so how Manny looked Saturday had no bearing on the May 5 announcement. Arum and Manny claiming "testing not a issue" cool sign for what PBF asked for on the dotted line. All either side could do was call the other's bluff. Right now it seems that PBF is calling that bluff. If testing is really no longer an issue then that part of the contract is an afterthought for both sides. Is it not?

14y ago

MindBat

The truth always comes to light sooner or later But of course. Floyd's people took the upper hand, because they realized who's The Real Cash Cow in the business. Pac-Marquez III reportedly did over 1.5 mil PPV's, and that's just an early estimate. It's a real pathetic attempt at dictating the terms for a potential Pacquiao bout. The suckapuncher not only wants it on May 5th in Las Vegas (to give him the obvious home court advantage), they would also like to see Pacquiao make the full training camp in the US. All under unproven assumptions that Pac is using illegal substances. So far Floyd and his people have produced no evidence to confirm it, even worse, they are avoiding court hearings about it. And btw Ellerbe and Schaefer are jokes anyway. Floyd always said the ONLY reliable source for his future bouts is Al-Haymon and nobody else. Passing a simple drug test would shut a lot of mouths up about Manny's alleged use of enhancers. It's apparent they would rather let the accusations build up than stop it dead in its tracks. They dropped the ball on that one a long time ago. The damage is already done.

14y ago

The_Gambler1981

14y ago

bayareamike

You said all of that to say what exactly? Could be PBF not be screaming take the test because he is calling Manny bluff to really see if testing is no longer and issue? You say that like Arum didn't say testing isn't a problem last year only for Konz to say on 24/7 that Manny still asked for a cut-off. You can't feed me bullsh!t and tell me to like it!! Did PBF and his team announce the May 5 date before or after the Marquez vs Manny III fight? this question in reference to the bold. I forgot to put that's it's my opinion that he wasn't confident before. Why else would he ask for ost when he's said he's easy work? A lot of the Floyd fanatics said mannys been hand fed shot, overrated bums that suit mannys style or they're not credible opponents, but he's on peds? Well which is it? May announced may 5 before but why? He didn't negotiate the date with team pac, how do you know he didn't arrange it with a different opponent? The USDA wada thing another poster brought up.. That was before they signed to fight Marquez months ago. Just a week or two ago, in interviews, Floyd said for pacquiao to take the test. Been saying it for years but only when pacquiao looks horrible then "testings not an issue". To me, IN MY OPINION, it looks suspect. And I love Floyd as a fighter. And my gf thought Marquez won the fight and although I thought the fight was a draw, I don't think Marquez won clearly but to me he didn't lose either. Pacquiaos lucky he went in being champion otherwise I think he would've lost cause usually they give the champion the benefit of doubt

14y ago

4Corners

I see its a Floyd circle jerk here! It was common knowledge Floyd would DEMAND the fight when signs of Manny slipping came about. If JMM III, ended by KO. Im sure The Golden Girls would have finalized Morales for Floyd's 1-time a yr fight. Only the dudes whose balls get moist would say otherwise! haha! Actually Floyd made it public a full week before Pac-JMM III that he wnated Pac on May 5 in Vegas, so yeah.....Also, even Rafael, the biggest confirmed Floyd hater of all boxing writers, said Morales-Mayweather was a bulls**t rumor and nothing more.

14y ago

4Corners

Floyd's people took the upper hand, because they realized who's The Real Cash Cow in the business. Pac-Marquez III reportedly did over 1.5 mil PPV's, and that's just an early estimate. It's a real pathetic attempt at dictating the terms for a potential Pacquiao bout. The suckapuncher not only wants it on May 5th in Las Vegas (to give him the obvious home court advantage), they would also like to see Pacquiao make the full training camp in the US. All under unproven assumptions that Pac is using illegal substances. So far Floyd and his people have produced no evidence to confirm it, even worse, they are avoiding court hearings about it. And btw Ellerbe and Schaefer are jokes anyway. Floyd always said the ONLY reliable source for his future bouts is Al-Haymon and nobody else. Homecourt advatange??? Floyd lives in Vegas, but over 80% of major fights in boxing haoppen in Vegas. Plus, didn't Pac get favorable decisions over JMM 3 times in vegas??? Get the f**k outta here with that logic. The first negotiations, the only confirmed ones that ever happened, Pac straight up walked away from the table and refused the testing, than announced the Clottey fight a day later. Than, even after having Margarito signed to fight in November 2010, as confirmed by Margarito himself, they said they were giving Floyd 24 hours to decide to fight Pac, event hough they had Margarito signed. Now, Arum and Top, as confirmed by the federal judge that mediates negotiations between May and Pac, are pursuing a 4th fight with JMM instead of a Floyd fight, saying "Floyd will still be there a year from now". The truth comes out eventually, always does. Also, Arum is saying it could do 1.5 million PPV's, no official count is done yet. Also, if it did, congrats to Pac, he out did Floyd one time with a common opponent, while Floyd out did him with common opponents 3 other times, and sold 1.25 million PPV's against Ortiz, a guy who'd never been close to headlining a PPV event. It's still a 50/50 split, and lets wait and see what the final numbers are. Arum said Pac-Mosley did between 1.3-1.4 million, event hough Rafael and other boxing writers said it was more like 1.2-1.25 million. At least the 1.25 million that May-Ortiz did was backed up by boxing writers.

14y ago

clmags12

14y ago

4Corners

It was sure nice to see at least one major media show (Jim Rome) actually talking trash and punking Pacquiao and Arum. ESPN First Take, Around the Horn, PTI, didn't report anything on Pac and Arum clearly avoiding Floyd negotiations. Still, Pac fans can't avoid the fact that Top Rank are blatantly pursuing a 4th fight with JMM instead of a fight with Floyd. Even Floyd haters are seeing the light (Dan Rafael), although look at Chris Mannix' twitter, he's still on Pac and Top Rank's nuts, even with Monday nights revelation.

14y ago

ringer

L O L @ Anybody who would say Mayweather has "homecourt advantage" when it comes to judging in Las Vegas, after the highway robbery we saw in Pacquiao's favor that occured there, this past Saturday.

14y ago