Manny Pacquaio: Does He Receive a Free Pass from the Sports Media?

We all can agree Manny Pacquaio is a likable and genuine individual. He also seems very noble and sincere when he speaks. His personality and exceptional boxing skill have made him a media darling.

Deservingly so, Pacquaio is the reigning pound for pound king of boxing. The only other man who could discredit that is Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Instead of setting the table to regain his ring dominance, Floyd decided to pass on a November match up with Manny.

Only months before that had Manny Pacquaio backed out of the first negotiations because the Mayweather camp demanded Olympic style drug testing. Floyd and his camp were concerned that Manny’s recent success was attributed to using performance enhancing drugs. Allegedly, Pacquaio felt insulted and his claimed fear of needles led Manny to back away and fight Joshua Clottey.

After both fighters defeated their substitute contenders, it seemed their showdown would be inevitable. Talks ended for the second time in late July with a deadline imposed by Bob Arum and Top Rank. Floyd Mayweather Jr. inherited all the criticism because for months we have been led to believe that Manny agreed to all of Mayweather’s demands and it was Mayweather who was the only remaining obstacle to this fight not happening. Floyd’s credibility and intentions for requesting random testing have been challenged throughout media circuits all over the world.

Accompanied with Mayweather’s silence and media approval, Bob Arum has successfully promoted another all Top Rank Boxing extravaganza. For the third straight fight Manny will fight a fellow stable mate, this time it's Antonio Margarito. On November 13, 2010, both fighters will attempt to convince the boxing world that they deserve the vacated WBC Super Welter World Title.

HBO is promoting the fight with their hit series 24/7, giving fans insight into both fighters' preparation. The show will also give an up close and personal experience with each fighter’s family and supporting cast.

On the very first episode, Top Rank’s top adviser reveals details about the failed Mayweather negotiations. He states “we pretty much agreed to anything on the drug testing except not within 7 days”.

Except not within 7 days? Originally, Top Rank said Manny agreed to full random testing all the way to the day of the fight. Now, however, they are releasing something different.

Throughout this Mayweather/ Pacquaio soap opera, the majority of the boxing community has sided with Manny, but I’ve always wondered about Pacquaio’s sudden change of heart. Now his camp is admitting that they may have exaggerated their compliance, but no one seems concerned.

Am I the only one wondering what else they may be partially telling the truth about?

I am not claiming that Floyd Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions didn’t play a role in prolonging this fight, but it is obvious when the time comes to hold Manny "Pac Man" accountable, the inconvenient truth seems to gets swept under the rug.