SPECIAL REPORT "THERE'S STILL TIME FOR..."
INSIDE BOXING
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-JANUARY 2, 2010) First of all, let all of us here at INSIDEBOXING.COM wish each and every one of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! This coming year of 2010 is full of anticipation regarding quality, competitive championship bouts.

The on-again, off-again mega-fight (that will supposedly breathe new life into the fight game) between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has been given a small taste of oxygen per Top Rank executive Bob Arum.

Upon returning from a Mexican vacation, Arum is not totally convinced the fight is off. The (former) main obstacle of random blood testing has been supplanted by a civil suit filed alleging the Mayweather's and Golden Boy Productions have defamed, libeled and slandered Manny Pacquiao.

Asked if a public apology from the defendants would be enough to stop the suit Arum stated, "it's too early to get it into that right now". Arum has said he is moving forward and Pacquiao will definitely be fighting someone on either March 13th or 20th in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao himself is preparing to come to Los Angeles, California sometime next week to begin light training. Whether fighting Mayweather or someone else, Pacquiao is starting his normal training regime when coming to the USA.

It is apparent the negotiations for any bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao is in the hands of attorney Daniel Petrocelli. The litigation process beginning has really pushed GBP and the Mayweather's into a tight corner.

Pacquiao has said that dishonoring his country of the Philippines is something he cannot/will not tolerate.

Team Pacquiao has been ordered to stop talking to ANYONE regarding the fight or the pending suit. Allegations of misinterpreting statements from some team members caused the gag-order by Pacquiao.

Is the team of "3 conspirators" now preparing to apologize in order to make the fight happen? That would seem odd, especially since the filing of the lawsuit has caused all of the defendants to become strangely quiet.

Would Manny Pacquiao accept an apology without some enormous monetary compensation? That too would seem odd, especially since that would not "muzzle" the "3 conspirators" forever.

An apology, at this point, would serve absolutely NO PURPOSE and would only contribute to the circus type atmosphere that is already evolving. Pacquiao must STAY THE COURSE and remain PATIENT.

I am now convinced that the hiring of Daniel Petrocelli is enough proof that Manny Pacquiao is going to make Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Sr., uncle Roger, GBP CEO Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la hoya pay for their defamatory remarks in the place that hurts them the most ...THEIR WALLETS!

The Mayweather clan is going to find out what deep, shark-infested waters the legal game consists of.
GBP, Schaefer and de la hoya can probably withstand the dollars associated with litigation, but can the Mayweather's?

Bob Arum has once before stated that he is receptive to retired former Federal Judge Daniel Weinstein mediating some agreement between the two parties regarding any fight. Weinstein arbitrated an agreement several years ago when both GBP and TOP RANK held Pacquiao contracts.

There now are so many obstacles in front of any Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather, Jr. that unless the "3 conspirators" are willing to donate, say $20 million dollars, to the Philippine government for the purpose of early childhood development, then Pacquiao should tell them to "kiss my Filipino ass"!

INSIDEBOXING.com continues to bring up-to-the-minute information and developments regarding the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight.

We also welcome all comments regarding this and any INSIDEBOXING.com articles.