Today’s Bob Arum gave us a command performance promoting what will probably be his last superfight. Never thought I’d say this, but Arum has quite literally done the impossible. He’s somehow succeeded in convincing the media and fight fans that a fight that will generate the most money in the history of the sport could be called off.
(Arum digitized for your protection)
But you just knew that if the 78-year-old talked enough today, he would say some things about the Mayweathers that were wildly inappropriate. And I’m pleased to report that Arum didn’t let us down.From Arum’s interview today with Lem Satterfield at AOL FANHOUSE:
FH: Is it your understanding that the Mayweather camp, starting with his father, Floyd Sr., has accused Manny Pacquiao of steroid usage due to the fact that he’s carried his power from the lowest weight class in boxing to a seventh weight class — 147 pounds?
Arum: This whole issue has been brought up by a completley (sic), illiterate idiot, Floyd Mayweather Sr. — the father of a kid who doesn’t want to get into the ring with Manny Pacquiao.
I know, rather unfortunate misspelling.
And apparently Arum isn’t convinced Floyd, Jr., is much of a wordsmith either:
He said the Nevada State Athletic Commission under its highly respected executive director Keith Kizer is “beside themselves” over the Mayweather demands and said “their drug testing is the best in the world and it’s an insult to them.”
Arum questioned the motives and asked “who is this ignorant, illiterate kid demanding this. Who is he? This has never ever happened in professional boxing.”
Finally, even Pacquiao’s “conditioning coach” piled on with the illiterate bit.
I seriously doubt Arum’s repeated assertions. How else will the Floyds remember which ring card girls to summon to their suites after the fight?
I’m going to give the old man a pass on this one because who among hasn’t mistaken a Mayweather for a French-Canadian hockey coach in his 60s?
11:04 pm on December 23rd, 2009
Forget Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Make the fight Mayweather vs. Arum, now that will be the biggest fight in boxing history.
2:51 am on December 24th, 2009
I’m starting to think Pac has been using PEDs. The excuses don’t add up. Pac could fight two or three times and not make the kind of money that he would against Mayweather. Plus, he would always have the questions about PEDs hanging over his head. I don’t think I’d ever believe he was clean again.
9:59 am on December 24th, 2009
I’m from Grand Rapids, MI., Floyd’s hometown. What Arum said is 100% spot on. The Mayweathers are ignorant TRASH. If the national media had any clue what “activities” Floyd has a hand in his hometown, he’d be done.
3:16 pm on December 24th, 2009
if they want to clean up boxing, then do it! Dont just do it for this fight because 1 of the fighters want it! Who is Mayweather to decide the rules? How do we know Mayweather was clean in all his previous fight?
The rules are put in place by the Nevada Commission, not Mayweather! This is all a ploy to make Pacman look bad and all you stupid people are falling for it……
1:14 am on December 25th, 2009
Lol…@KO do you know anything about boxing other than a fighter you like or don’t like? These fights are independently made and promoted and they can ask for more stringent rules to ensure fair competition. I’m absolutely shocked that people hate Mayweather so much that they are willing to ignore Pac dodging drug testing. A few weeks ago I marveled at Manny getting better as he got older…now I’m extremely suspicious. He started his fight career at 106lbs and 15 years later he’s knocking out guys at 144lbs, looking faster and stronger than ever before. That’s not natural. To endure the kind of wars he has and be the stronger, faster quicker boxer he is today is Bondsesque. He might not be on roid’s, he’s always come up clean, but he might be using HGH. I remember when the first speculation about Marion Jones and all the other Conte athletes initially began…I firmly believed they performed by hard work…until the investigation uncovered the “clear” and the “cream”. A urine test won’t ever detect HGH, but a blood test may…and if not now, then likely in the future.
Manny needs to shut up and agree to the testing.
6:47 pm on December 26th, 2009
Actually, Floyd, Sr. KOs Floyd, Jr. in the areas of literacy, intelligence, and general common sense.
Floyd, Sr. is mayor and chief executive officer of Imbecileland, where Moronville is the capital city and down right stupid is the chief means of communication.
12:18 am on December 27th, 2009
Who is the trainer of Delahoya & Hatton? Mayweather Sr. right? Shame on you SR. the fight is fair, you don’t want to be a loser, it is very clear, Hatton was knocked down and Delahoya with TKO, and you are accusing your opponent for using steriod coz you lost? that’s not fair…again you are afraid of JR to be KO by Pacquiao because of his unbelievable speed and strength. I tell you, Pacquiao is a man of faith, and that speed and power is from God and hard work and he always acknowledge God after the fight. Pacquiao is a humble, honest guy & help the poor, he never cheat… Hard work and faith is great combination that’s why Pacquiao became famous…..So shut your mouth….Don’t embarrass the Nevada State Athletic Commission coz they’ve done this for decades. Remember, if left hook combination hit your face so badly and you knock out, that’s not from steriod but from a talented boxer power.
6:15 am on December 27th, 2009
@joker:
Wow…you’ve convinced me…God is the speed and power, Nevada State Athletic Commission is beyond reproach, helps the poor…
The NSAC HAS done it for decades, and it’s been fixed for decades.
Again..you’ve convinced me with your inane argument…both Mayweather and Paquiao are on PEDs.
10:56 am on December 28th, 2009
Yeah this is a a complete shell game by the Mayweather camp. They’ve fought 40+ times without implying different testing standards. Paq-man has fought more than 50 times under the boxing tests and has been free and clear. Mayweather clearly is trying to dodge this fight and what better way than to try and take down Paq-man’s credibility.
Mayweather is punk. But I hope the fought goes off so Paq can clean his clock