Pacman: I'm not running away

Filipino stands firm on blood tests but still keen on facing Mayweather

Last updated: 29th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pacman: I'm not running away

Pacquiao: willing to take on 'anyone, any time'

I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd anywhere any time.

Manny Pacquiao
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Manny Pacquiao has reiterated his demand not to be blood tested within 30 days of a proposed showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jnr as rival promoters attempt to save the fight.

The Filipino was set to meet Mayweather Jnr on March 13 in Las Vegas but a dispute over the drug testing procedures is threatening to derail the long-awaited meeting between two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

Mayweather Jnr wants US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) protocols, including random blood tests at any point before the fight, which was a deal breaker to Pacquiao, who said such tests too near the bout would weaken him.

"I'm still willing to fight Floyd Mayweather. I never said the fight was off or I do not want to fight him," Pacquiao said in a blog posting on his official website.

"I'll fight anyone at any time and my record and past fights prove that. I have never and will never dodge anyone."

On his unwillingness to allow himself to be blood tested close to fight day, he added: "The truth is taking blood out of my body does not seem natural to me and mentally I feel it will weaken me if blood is taken from me just days before the fight.

"That does not make sense to me, why anyone would do that."

Mayweather Jnr's representative, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer, told ESPN that he had backed off USADA rules but would insist upon testing within 30 days of the fight as representatives of rival promoters tried to thrash out a deal.

"We know that 30 days before is not effective. At 30 days, we might as well not even do it," Schaefer said.

"It is a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cut off date to assure it will still be effective."

Frustrating

Schaefer called the shifting positions in talks frustrating and questioned Pacquiao's desire to face Mayweather Jnr.

"I don't know how to explain it other than maybe Pacquiao doesn't want the Mayweather fight," he added.

Pacquiao, however, made his position equally clear in his posting.

"If Floyd Mayweather Jnr truly ever wanted to fight me and he is not really scared, he would accept these terms I am willing to give him as they are above and beyond what the (Nevada) commission demands," Pacquiao said.

"I hope Floyd is not really a coward and will fight me and give the fans what they want to see. I am not afraid to fight Floyd anywhere any time."

Comments (106)

Marcus Johnson says...

I dont see what the problem is. Testing at ramdom whether it be blood or urine has to be done in any other sport and refusal lands you in hot water, so if Pacman hasn't got nothing to hide then do the test so we can watch the fight we all want to see!!

Posted 08:38 8th January 2010

Shumshair P says...

Im certain that at some stage during 2010 we will see this fight happen...after all the two best boxers for a long time cannot not be kept apart. I think this whole thing is a little bit of marketing and a little bit of mind games from Mayweather. Its the fight we all want to see and the fight that both Mayweather and Paquiao need to hold the title of 'POUND FOR POUND BEST BOXER' in the world.

Posted 13:06 7th January 2010

Clinton Manning says...

What are you for real?? Why should Pacquiao be made to give blood? This has never before been an issue in boxing history and Mayweather cannot simply make up the rules just because he "suspects" Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs.. Manny has already agreed to give urine samples at any given time all the way through the fight training and on the night of the fight with an official blood test immediately after the fight so why is that not good enough? If he has taken any form of drug then the test will be positive after the fight so get real. The only that is stalling this fight is Mayweather's fear of losing. It's pathetic.

Posted 01:36 7th January 2010

Chris Whtiing says...

Why, after 40 fights does Mayweather ask for a test that has never been done before or even requested in some of the biggest fights of the last decade? That is the question that should be asked.

Posted 21:45 6th January 2010

Silency Musingarabwi says...

Is this guy serious? How much blood is required for blood tests? A pint? Get over it and get tested. This guy is the one stalling on this fight not Mayweather.....

Posted 00:24 6th January 2010

Arnold Acibar says...

Manny isn't refusing for blood test but for RANDOM blood test, that the USADA officer can knocked in the door early morning or anytime until 2 days before the fight. boxers need good rest prior to their fight. why is Floyd changing the rules?

Posted 20:18 5th January 2010

Russell Thomas says...

Manny is a fearless fighter, I really hope he isn't afraid that the ickle blood tests might weaken him! So long as both are subjected to the same tests than neither fighter has an excuse to back out-its time to rumble!!!

Posted 16:20 3rd January 2010

Lennon Lives says...

look at the facts blood testing gives the same results weither it be one day before a fight or 30 days after a fight. Mayweather is playing mindgames simple as that. the fight will happen. And mayweather will find out once and for all what its like to box against an iron wall as he will be fighting truly one off the top 3 boxers off all time

Posted 21:37 2nd January 2010

Bob Jones says...

I don't think Mayweather really intends to duck Pacquaio at all actually. Everyone knows how much Mayweather loves to be the "bad guy," so I think all this steroids talk Mayweather's doing is just a publicity stunt to generate as much controversy as possible before the fight and create a media circus. Manny's typically a humble, soft spoken guy but Mayweather has found a way to make Manny angry and make it so that both fighters genuinely don't like each other- something that always makes a fight more interesting to watch. Money Mayweather's just trying to run his mouth and make this mega-fight as big as possible.

Posted 17:35 31st December 2009

John Kadundo says...

I can see just how many people are going to be disappointed if this fight ever happens. Floyd will win this fight in a manner Manny supporters won't understand. He will make it look easy and it will be dubbed boring. He is just the man who toys around with the most aggressive opposition. Make sure you watch it if it happens. You will understand what I am talking about.

Posted 07:08 29th December 2009

Johnny Lee says...

Pacquiao should stick to his guns and refuse to jump to Mayweathers' demands. Mayweather is running scared and will try anything to put Pac-man off his game. Mayweathers' hands are crippled, he's gun-shy, he cannot punch anymore because of damaged hands. Floyd would not be able to keep Manny off him. Manny would win the fight by KO.

Posted 22:53 28th December 2009

Abid Naz says...

Personaaly, I think Mayweather JR is just trying to get out of this fight as he knows pacman will destroy him...no doubt Mayweather is class but pacman is lightning quick and strong- something Mayweather hasn't ever come face to face with. Pacman would drop him in the latter stages of the fight.

Posted 22:49 28th December 2009

Steven Mcnamara says...

Mayweather making his own rules up again and thinking he owns Boxing, Pacquiao will beat him if they fight, if the Malignaggi v Pacquiao fight happens which has been rumoured it sums up the modern state of Boxing

Posted 18:08 28th December 2009

Michael Burns says...

In my opionion both these fighters are the two best fighters in the world and i am struggerling to pick a winner but if i had a gun to my head and had to choose i would proberly pick pac man, as far as the drug testing is concerned i dont know why both fighters cant just take the blood test a month before hand like they have agreed then take it again after the fight so know one has the mind control advantage and we know its fair. I should be a promoter haha.

Posted 14:44 28th December 2009

Kieran Moore says...

manny is kickin off becoz its not the normal! an thats why mayweather is doing it!!! mayweather fights for money yes hes prob the best pure boxer we have ever seen but mayweather heart isnt in boxing, i wish they would jus get at it see who is the best, we dont need the hype for this one its already ther Floyd Mayweather Jnr vs Manny Pacquiao

Posted 14:43 28th December 2009

Tobias Kuugongelwa says...

My view of this blood taking saga is that, this fight, if its to happen, the rules that governed any other BIG-FIGHT should just be followed, than this thing will go on. Rules of boxing are there to which mayweather has fought his previous fights, this is a big mind game to mentally have control on the pac-man camp, thats it. So for me, let the current rules govern this BIG-MATCH and the one that chickens out, is the scared one, plain and simple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 13:41 28th December 2009

Adam Whiteley says...

give me a break chris edwards, mayweather is great devensivly, but he will have no answer for what the pac man has in attack, hes just way too quick even for mayweathers reflexes, hell get found out easy, way to easy, pac man is the pound for pound king, simple

Posted 11:03 28th December 2009

Mad Dog says...

I think everyone is forgetting that it's not just Pacman who has to have a drug test it's also Mayweather.. I don't see what the problem is with taking blood.. If Pacman wasn't borthered at all he would just get on with it

Posted 10:58 28th December 2009

Stuart Emms says...

Chris. Mayweather did beat Marquez more convincing, but Pacman has improved since his fights with Marquez. Floyd only just beat De La Hoya and had a rough time With Ricky Hatton until he eventually caught up with him. Pacman destoyed both fighters and also destroyed Migule Cotto, who Floyd never seemed to have a desire to fight when he was also an unbeaten fighter at the same weight. The Mayweather clan and Golden boy industry seem to be in awe of Pacman, which is why they are making such ridiculous demands. Floyd senior has already said his sonm should not fight Pacman and made alleged steroid claims. Pacman has always passed his tests after and his fights, and if that is not good enough for Floyd, then the whole organization and the sport comes into question. Floyd is without doubt a brilliant boxer, but he has never had is heart tested like Sugar Ray Leonard, and his legacy depends on this fight. He needs Pacman, more than Pacman needs Floyd.

Posted 10:43 28th December 2009

Chris Edwards says...

jack green its u who knows nothing about boxing mayweather is by far the better boxer yes pacman is class but not at samr level as mayweather they have both been in the ring with marquez and pacman found it very hard twice which in many people eyes he lost 1 and mayweather outclassed him he made him look daft and as for the drug test its all jusy hype 2 build up a great fight

Posted 09:51 28th December 2009

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