Manny Pacquiao (Getty Images) |
NEW YORK -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. has fired back at Manny Pacquiao, saying
the Filipino star's refusal to compromise on drug testing concerns
is the reason for the collapse of their prospective bout.
Mayweather made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement Thursday, one day after Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared the March 13 bout dead due to an impasse in discussions over drug testing requirements.
Mayweather demanded repeated blood testing right up to the day of the fight, while Pacquiao asked for a 30-day cutoff before the bout. Mayweather now says he agreed to a 14-day cutoff compromise, but Pacquiao still won't accept the terms.
Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight.
Earlier, Pacquiao's promoters say his prospective bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is dead after a mediation session failed to resolve the fighters' differences, scrapping what was likely to be the richest fight in boxing history.
The bout was slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, but Top Rank said late Wednesday night it couldn't reach an agreement with Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather.
The promoters went into mediation on Tuesday to resolve their differences over drug testing for the fight. Both sides claimed every other detail for the fight had been decided.
The fighters apparently were close to a deal after the mediation, but subsequent discussions Wednesday led Top Rank to declare the fight canceled.
Mayweather made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement Thursday, one day after Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared the March 13 bout dead due to an impasse in discussions over drug testing requirements.
Mayweather demanded repeated blood testing right up to the day of the fight, while Pacquiao asked for a 30-day cutoff before the bout. Mayweather now says he agreed to a 14-day cutoff compromise, but Pacquiao still won't accept the terms.
Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight.
Earlier, Pacquiao's promoters say his prospective bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is dead after a mediation session failed to resolve the fighters' differences, scrapping what was likely to be the richest fight in boxing history.
The bout was slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, but Top Rank said late Wednesday night it couldn't reach an agreement with Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather.
The promoters went into mediation on Tuesday to resolve their differences over drug testing for the fight. Both sides claimed every other detail for the fight had been decided.
The fighters apparently were close to a deal after the mediation, but subsequent discussions Wednesday led Top Rank to declare the fight canceled.
