SPECIAL REPORT "Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are on board..."
INSIDE BOXING
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-January 11, 2009) There is positive proof that Manny Pacquiao, Bob Arum and Top Rank have moved on and are no longer interested in any venture involving Floyd Mayweather, Jr..

On March 13, 2009, the main-event featuring the number one rated fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO's) against Joshua Clottey (35-3-0-1, 20 KO's) will be held in Dallas, Texas.

The new, state-of-the-art, one billion dollar investment, COWBOYS STADIUM will be the featured venue. The newly introduced mega-plex can seat well-over 100,000 people but will scaled down to accommodate around 45,000 assuring all in attendance of excellent vision from all seats.

Dallas Cowboys President and owner Jerry Jones, has personally taken the steps necessary to bring this championship battle to this sporting mecca. The Dallas Cowboys entire organization will be involved in marketing this event in a major, major way. This will be the unveiling of what Jones, Top Rank and the city of Dallas, hopes bring recognition that this city can handle any function with first-class accommodations.

There will be a 3-bout undercard featuring the return of Antonio Margarito (37-6-0-1, 27 KO's) to the ring after having been suspended for wrappings on his hands that were deemed illegal when fighting Shane Mosley Back on January 24, 2009 in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. 

Margarito was suspended on February 10, 2009 for one year by the California State Athletic Commission after tests revealed a substance similar to plaster-of-paris was in the hand wraps that were re-wrapped several times.  

This situation called into question a victory for Margarito where he gave a brutal beating to Miguel Cotto.

The Texas Athletic Boxing Commission will have to reinstate Margarito and there appears that will not be a problem. Margarito has accepted responsibility for the wraps, but has steadfastly maintained his innocence in having knowledge of anything illegal regarding the application any substance to his wrapped hands. 

Also on the undercard will be the popular Texas bantamweight, Roberto Marroquin (11-0, 8 KO's). The inclusion of both Margarito and Marroquin will ensure the anticipated huge hispanic crowd have more than just the main event to garner their interest. 

The opponents for both Margarito and Marroquin have yet to be named, as have the names of the undercards' third bout participants.

The involvement of HBO has not been definitive and Arum is not overly concerned saying, "We have yet to discuss HBO's involvement with this Pay-Per-View event. Should they decline involvement, we have several other major televising avenues to pursue".

These comments were in direct response to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. scheduling an (alleged) March 13th date in Las Vegas against an as of "yet-to-be-known" opponent.  

Herein lies the possibility of an underlying plot involving Golden Boy Productions and Top Rank.

Oscar de la hoya has had a long standing relationship with HBO and HBO Pay-Per-View, as has Bob Arum and Top Rank. The obvious concern with both Pacquiao and Mayweather, Jr. scheduling fight nights on March 13, 2009, is HBO will probably have to make a decision...A BUSINESS DECISION!

This decision will undoubtedly have long-term ramifications, either way, for HBO and HBO Pay-Per-View.

Should Golden Boy Productions pressure HBO into servicing the Mayweather fight (even though there currently isn't even a viable opponent that can match the one already being put into place in Texas), they will force their paying customers into making a business decision of their own. 

Could HBO deciding to go with the better "business decision" and follow Top Rank to Texas alienate them from de la hoya and Golden Boy Productions? SHOWTIME is waiting in the wings to see what move HBO makes and they will definitely position themselves to take what's left. A win-win for them, either way.

This potentially destructive situation can be a critical piece of the puzzle pertaining to the  interest in professional boxing as a popular form of entertainment. The boxing public is at a fever pitch level in wanting to see good, quality, competitive bouts...RIGHT NOW!

The shenanigans and silly games attributed to both Golden Boy Productions and Top Rank are chipping away at the driving force behind boxing entertainment. Should these two major players in the promoting of professional boxing continue having their personal battle affect me and you FIGHT FANS, ultimately the price paid will have a devastating "trickle-down effect...

There will be a two-city tour to kick off the promotions end of the Pacquiao vs Clottey fight beginning January 18th in Dallas, Texas. The following day of January 19th, the tour will continue in New York City, New York.

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BREAKING NEWS: Expect sometime soon for ESPN and their star boxing analyst Teddy Atlas, to be issuing an apology for saying there was in existence an alleged e-mail from "someone in the Pacquiao camp" inquiring as to "if there were a positive test on a Pacquiao blood draw, could that result be kept quiet"?

The premise itself was ridiculous and ESPN allowing the Atlas information from a "credible source" brings into question just how much credibility the "24-hour Sports channel" has...

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