Speaking with David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press, Floyd Mayweather Jr. adviser Leonard Ellerbe had some scathing comments about Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
"Arum is trying to trick the public into thinking there was no compromise at all," Ellerbe said. "He never mentioned that a 14-day compromise was offered -- and rejected -- prior to mediation.
"I think it’s more than a fair compromise, particularly since, realistically, it’s not an issue that should be compromised on at all."Ellerbe also disputed a media report in which Arum was quoted as saying two key members of Mayweather’s negotiating team -- business adviser Al Haymon and Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions -- tried to talk the Grand Rapids native into accepting the Pacquiao side’s compromise proposal of a 24-day window with no blood testing before the fight.
"It’s a childish, amateurish attempt by Bob Arum to divide and conquer," Ellerbe said. "It’s absolutely not true. It never happened. It’s a lie."
The mud-slinging, as expected, is far from over. No matter what these guys do next or if they ever fight each other this year, next year, or when they're both 50, there's going to be back-and-forth trashing from both sides.
One thing I will say, and this was something I was discussing with another member of the site, is that as much as I want to move on, I think I'd be remiss if I didn't say that in the press, Mayweather has already beaten Pacquiao. It would seem that a lot of people favor Mayweather's side in this disaster to Pacquiao's, and for some very good reasons, too.
In some ways, Mayweather already has a win over Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao was the hottest name in boxing, had taken Mayweather's status as pound-for-pound king in many circles, and was pointed at as the guy who "did it right," while Mayweather took some reputation hits for picking and choosing opponents. Pacquiao was a fighter for the people; Mayweather was a cold businessman. This seemed the perception no more than a month ago.
Now, it's all turned around for a good many people. Pacquiao has a cloud hanging over him. Personally, I don't see either of them coming out of this terribly well, but if I had to guess a winner in the court of public opinion, it's Mayweather.
Whether that's fair or not is up for debate, but it is what it is (or seems to be what it is).