Manny Pacquiao Relenting on Drug Tests, Fight with Floyd Mayweather Gets Closer

"I am willing to help the sport for the future of the sport. I do not want to see anyone cheat or cheat this sport. For that reason I am willing to consider taking blood as close as 14 days prior to the fight, as long as my opponent does the same, and it is not a lot of blood, just enough to test," Pacquiao said in a statement on his official website, mpboxing.com.

That's the official statement from Manny Pacquiao regarding a potential mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Wow!

Apparently Manny and Freddie Roach weren't at all impressed with Floyd's domination of Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday night.

So, they're finally relenting on this pissing match to meet Floyd's demands of blood testing up to 14 days prior to the fight. Everyone knows this fight has to happen.

These are two guys who, quite frankly, can't find any other competition.

Manny beats up on Miguel Cotto so Floyd dominates Juan Manuel Marquez.

Manny outclasses Joshua Clottey so Floyd handles Sugar Shane.

Both handled Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, although Manny completely dominated both fighters while Oscar actually looked capable of beating Floyd at one point.

These are two virtuoso's who need to fight. The sport needs it—badly.

Anyone could make a valid argument these are two of the pound-for-pound top 20 fighters in history. Neither really seems to have big holes in their game. Floyd is a defensive maestro capable of going entire fights without getting hit very hard. Manny is a lightning quick ball of fury with the power of a light heavyweight.

Whether you love Floyd or Manny, you have to give both fighters a lot of respect. These guys are warriors and the best in the business. Both have fought world-class opponents and nobody is coming close to them.

And time's running out.

Floyd is 33 and Manny seems to be getting more interested in politics than fighting. This could be the swan song for both them.

Or not.

I really would like to see a fighter penetrate Floyd's defense. Mosley did it for one round. De La Hoya seemed to figure it out, but didn't have the stamina, and didn't listen to Freddie Roach's advise on using his jab, to beat Floyd.

I think Pacquiao can do it.

Not only does he have hand-speed that is equal to Floyd, he just flat out hits harder. He might be Floyd's equal in terms of ring generalship. Both are geniuses inside the ropes.

Still, Floyd was damn impressive against Mosley. Detractors say that Mosley's age was showing (he is 38) as was a 16-month layoff and the poundings from wars against Cotto, Vernon Forrest (RIP), and Winky Wright. Mosley did look tired by the seventh round.

But, it's tough to keep coming up with excuses to Floyd's dominance. The guy is a great one. I won't ever say he's the greatest, but he's a top 20 all-time fighter.
So stay tuned. This soap opera might actually have a happy ending.