Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Floyd Sparring Plans Halted by Cut Lip, Says Bob Arum

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum has suggested Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been unable to spar "for a few days" after receiving a cut to his lip.

Arum, who promotes Mayweather's next opponent Manny Pacquiao, appears privy to information which could help shape the May 2 bout.

As reported by Ronnie Nathanielsz of Boxing Scene, Arum indicated Mayweather was "getting hit a lot by his sparring partners and couldn't spar for a few days because his lip was cut and they had to manufacture a special headgear that also covered his lips because every time Floyd got hit, it bled."

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In the same report, it was suggested Pacquiao "skipped sparring for the second day in a row" after completing tests operated by the US Anti-Doping Agency, per Nathanielsz. Pac-Man is said to have only gone for a run on the day blood was extracted. Top Rank publicist Fred Sternberg said Pacquiao is in "terrific shape," though.

News of a potential split-lip for Mayweather seems insignificant at this point, but if Arum's assertions are correct, it could have huge implications on both his training schedule and game plan. Pretty Boy will only reach maximum sharpness by completing intense sparring sessions which provide the opportunity to push his reflexes, conditioning and power.

Pacquiao is likely to target Mayweather's lip if it proves to open up easily. Mayweather will know this and may have to employ extra caution to stop the area becoming fatal to his unbeaten run. If Mayweather's hands are high, Pacquiao can work the body.

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This isn't the first time speculation of Mayweather being beaten up in sparring has arrived during the pre-fight build-up, however. Ghanaian website Allsports.com.gh (via David Anderson of the Mirror) gained prominence when reporting Zab Judah knocked Money down "for at least 10 seconds" in a practice bout. Judah denied this story:

However, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach later claimed knowledge of another brawler laying his authority down on Mayweather, as reported by Carlos Boogs of Boxing Scene:

"

He knocked out a couple of girls (in sparring) or something like (that). The thing is, I got a report from one of my friends in Mexico—that one of his Mexican boys beat the s--t out of him two days in a row. So I really don't care about stuff like that. I really don't care what he's up to, because I have to get my guy ready for my fight and that's what I'm thinking about.

"

Roach recently told Bleacher Report's Stephen Nelson how Pacquiao will triumph against Mayweather:

It's always difficult to assess if such rumours should be taken seriously, particularly as they've come from the opposite camp. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, suggested "nothing like" Floyd being knocked down happened, per Sky Sports. Even if he did struggle, few would expect Mayweather's team to admit it.

With little under a month until the Las Vegas fight, any minor injuries or problems have the potential to turn extremely serious.

The headlines suggest Pacquiao is in great shape, suffering few problems and even having time to spare, while Mayweather's preparation continues to be hampered. The truth is likely far more balanced.