“Let’s play the blame… game… I hate you. Let’s play the blame… game for sure.”

New Year, old drama. Boxing fans, we’re two weeks into 2012 and we’re already faced with another roller coaster ride on the Mayweather-Pacquiao express. First we go up. Then we come down. Then we go spinning upside down. *Gulp*… Oh-shit! I think I’m about to hurl- again! BLAHHHHH!

Trivia question: “What’s worse than throwing up on a roller coaster ride?” There are two answers actually; (1) After you blow chunks, you realize the roller coaster ride ain’t over. (2) Being the guy sitting behind the guy who just blew chunks!

That’s what the Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight fiasco has been, a complete cluster fuck of a roller coaster ride and Bob Arum is playing the roll of park attendant who could give a flying frisco fuck if the ride is going too fast or if you’re under age, or if you throw up or if you get whiplash. As a matter of fact, he’s pissed off if you’re saying anything shy of “More please sir!”

The real question is “who’s to blame for the roller coaster ride?” Manny or Arum? Before you answer, allow me recant a few facts from recent events.

After Marquez-Pacquiao 3 ended, Arum stated “We are not interested in a fight with Mayweather. We are pursuing a fourth bout with Marquez.” Arum went so far as to state if Marquez will be ready on Cinco De Mayo (May 5, 2012), we’ll [Pacquiao] be ready to fight as well.

After Marquez-Pacquiao 3, Max Kellerman asked Manny if he wanted a fight with Mayweather to which Manny replied yes and “I’m willing to do anything to make the fight.”

After Mayweather was granted a continuance and allowed to fight on May 5th, naturally the boxing world turned to Pacquiao and Arum for an answer of “yes” to fighting Mayweather. Instead, the fans received these two answers:

  1. Arum: Pacquiao’s eye will not be healed by May 5th. November is better of both fights.
  2. Pacquiao: I want to fight Mayweather and I’m willing to take any tests. BUT, Bob Arum decides on how I fight next.

Consistency check
First Arum says May 5th is not a problem for fighting Marquez but when Mayweather is brought up, he now doesn’t want to fight on May 5th. Manny says he’s willing to do anything to make the fight happen yet in the same breath he back tracks and says Arum makes the decision on whom he fights. If Manny is willing to do anything to make that fight happen, he would not allow Arum to select his next opponent nor will he allow the public to begin to believe he is not his own man and/or lacks control over his own career.

Who’s to blame here folks? The answer is, PACQUIAO!

Allow me to make something clear before you read further. My reasons for blaming Manny is not rooted on a “like” or “dislike” of the man as a person or boxer. No. It’s based on two basic principles:

  1. We are not stupid! We truly know Arum can’t force Manny to do anything he does not want to do. Manny is a congressman which proves he is more than capable of analyzing information in great detail and formulating an educated decision independent of counsil. I understand the promoter works for the fighter. In the case of Pacquiao, Arum is at his mercy as Manny can choose to fight no one which will ultimately kill Arum’s pockets.
  2.  We’re not blind! Anyone who can read can recall two completely different answers from Bob Arum regarding who and when Manny will fight next. Regarding Marquez, Arum was eager to set up the fight on May 5th. When Mayweather was mentioned, Arum switched his answer by stating Manny will not be ready for a fight on May 5th.

At the end of the day, it does not matter what Arum says, Manny has ultimate control over his fight destiny. This is simply common sense. Think about it; Arum and Koncz fly into Manila. Sit down with Manny. Says to Manny, “here are the four people I think you should fight.” At that point, Manny can sit back and select an opponent or look at Arum and slide the cards back and say “get me Floyd on May 5th” and walk out. It’s that simple.

Yes, Arum can plead with Manny or even Roach in hopes he can break through to Manny. But at the end of the day, Manny can still look both of them in the eye and say “get me Mayweather on May 5th!” and walk away. Also, Manny can simply, have his people contact Floyd and stage an interview on ESPN who would eagerly place both fighters on a split screen to announce to the world they’d both like to fight and we don’t give a damn what Arum says. This would put Arum in checkmate. Bob would have no choice but to proceed the fight or feel the wrath of Manny leaving Top Rank. Court and drama.

A fighter who is considered top pound for pound in the world holds all the cards.

At this point, I blame Manny Pacquiao for not stepping up and making the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight happen on May 5th.