BalotSports.info

The much-awaited March 13 fight between World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is off, ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo reported from the US on Thursday.

In an interview over radio dzMM, Castillejo said both sides failed to resolve their differences over random drug testing.

She quoted Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, as saying Pacquiao will still be fighting on March, but it will no longer be against Mayweather.

She said Arum was looking at Israeli Yuri Foreman as Pacquiao's opponent either on March 13 or 20 in Las Vegas.

Castillejo said this would allow Pacquiao to claim an 8th world title. Foreman is the current World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion.

She said that as a 154 lb. fighter, Foreman would be another heavier opponent for Pacquiao.

Citing her interview with Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, Castillejo said the Pacquiao camp had agreed to blood tests 24 days before the fight, not just random blood tests that the Mayweather camp was asking for.

"But still, the Mayweather camp rejected it. Hindi magkasundo so the fight is off," Castillejo said.

Castillejo said Pacquiao is "very disappointed" that fans will not be able to see him fight Mayweather.

However, Castillejo said Arum is "still looking at other possibilities and will decide over the next few days who the next opponent will be for Pacquiao."

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Report: Talks for Pacquiao-Floyd megafight fall
gmanews.tv

Last ditch efforts to save the planned March 13 megabout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. bogged down and the much-anticipated gig is likely off, a boxing website reported Thursday.

According to BoxingScene.Com representatives of Pacquiao and Mayweather would not come to a settlement after two days of mediation with retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein in San Diego.

The cause of the talks’ breakdown was the drug-testing procedure. The Mayweather camp insists on an Olympic-style, random testing supervised by the US Anti-Doping Agency while the Pacquiao group wants to do blood and urine testing under a certain period of time and to be handled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

BoxingScene.Com reported that Pacquiao’s people have offered to agree to the tests 24 days before the fight – from their previous demand of 30 days – which their counterparts from the Mayweather side have rejected.

As it is, the two may likely take on separate rivals in March.

Source: Author Unknown  | abs-cbnnew.com