Finally Some Fights; Standings

In the first league action of 2010, Jay's 108-lb champion Brian Viloria was knocked out in round 12 by Carlos Tamara. The loss drops Jay's squad to 4-2. Viloria earns Option A: -2, Option B: -2 and Option C: 2

In a fight for the WBO Featherweight Title, Juan Manuel Lopez KO'd Steven Luevano in the 7th round. Lopez scored the KO with a blistering combination that led to a knockdown. Lopez earns Option A: 2, Option B: 3 and Option C: 18 for Joel B's squad with the win.

Cuban Sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa improved to 17-0 with 15 KOs with a spectacular 2nd round TKO of Rogers Mtagwa. Mtagwa had previously lost a close decision to Juan Manuel Lopez. Gamboa appears to be a truly superior talent and perhaps the biggest future star in boxing. Gamboa picks up another W for Joel B's Ready to Rumble squad with Option A: 2, Option B: 3 and Option C: 19.

STANDINGS

1st......JoelB----10-1, 7 KOs......Option B Avg: 1.41, Option C Avg: 16.0

2nd....Mark----4-0, 2 KOs........Option B Avg: 1.88, Option C Avg: 16.0

3rd....BWhit---5-1, 1 KO...........Option B Avg: 1.33, Option C Avg: 13.8

4th....Andrew--2-0-1, 1 KO......Option B Avg: 0.83, Option C Avg: 12.3

5th....JoelM---4-2, 2 KOs.........Option B Avg: 0.33, Option C Avg: 11.8

6th....Jay-------4-2, 2 KOs.......Option B Avg: 0.25, Option C Avg: 11.7

From Superfight to SuperDrama; Boxing Fans Lose Again

Apparently it was too much to ask to get the 2 best fighters in the world into the ring. The supposed $80 million to be split between the two of them? Not enough incentive, I guess, to man up and duke it out for all the marbles. Mayweather expected to have an unfounded accusation (steroid use) accepted and disproven by Pacquiao, while Pacquiao stubbornly insisted that he would not give blood within 24-30 days of fight night.

Is Pacquiao a steroid user? Probably not, in my opinion. It's not that difficult to put on weight as you get older. Anyone else agree with that? Pacquiao has had a ferocious style and work ethic ever since he came on the scene in 2003, at 122 lbs. He was a power puncher then and he's a power puncher now. He was fast then and he's fast now. He was motivated then, but even more so now, with a claim to all-time greatness easily within his grasp. His career trojectory has been a steady climb upwards, ever since a close decision loss to Erik Morales in 2005, and at 31 years old, he remains in his physical prime.

Is Pacquiao a little ridiculous about refusing blood testing? Yeah. I think it's more about NOT DOING what Mayweather says than it is about standing by some anti-blood-drawing principle. Pacquiao sees himself as The Man in boxing, and he's trying to show everyone that he will stand his ground completely, from the very beginning. Pacquiao doesn't see himself as the challenger to Mayweather's pound for pound title. He sees himself as the man in charge, and his promoter Bob Arum doesn't let him forget that for a second.

Is Mayweather being ridiculous about the blood testing? Yes. To accuse Manny of steroid use with no evidence or previous controversy or widespread opinion to support it was simply an unexpected cheap shot. To then demand that he prove otherwise would be to validate the accusation. It's like accusing him of having no testicles and then demanding that he show his ballbag to the world if it's not true. It's manipulative and demeaning. It's not Floyd's place to make demands that are outside the usual guidelines of the sport.

Lastly, is Mayweather afraid of Pacquiao? Lots of people, including Pacquiao's entourage, are saying that. I'm not sure that he is. I think Mayweather probably believes he can beat Pacquiao but he just wanted to f*ck with him a little bit, make him dance for him, insult him publicly and grab the upper hand. It didn't work, and no one is better off for it. Guess what guys? You both get a draw for being stubborn and narcissistic. Congratulations.