By Justin Worsley
After dominating performances by both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao last month, the two seem set on reopening negotiations for a possible November fight.
The two were originally set to fight last March, however, problems arose over how the drug testing would be done. Mayweather wanted an Olympic-style drug testing which would require both fighters to give blood tests until as early as two weeks before the fight, something Pacquiao disputed claiming the constant blood tests would drain him. After the cancellation of the fight, Pacquiao rescheduled and won a fight by unanimous decision over Joshua Clottley, retaining the IBF World Welterweight Title. Mayweather defeated "Sugar" Shane Mosley also by unanimous decision.
Many boxing fans were worried that Pacquiao, 31, would end his boxing career after his recent election to congress in his homeland Philippines. Pacquiao quickly rebutted that claim, telling the Associated Press that "The people are requesting that I fight Mayweather before I retire. If I ever fight again, I think I will give in to the request of the people."
This potential fight has become one of boxing's most anticipated bout. Mayweather, 33, is 41-0 with 25 wins by knockout, while Pacquiao, a southpaw, is 51-3-2 with 38 knockouts. If a fight does occur this time, the fight will take place on either Nov. 6 or 13.
Pacquiao's chief adviser Matt Koncz told the Associated Press that they have either date reserved to fight in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The stadium, which opened it's doors last year, is the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are on the road both weeks of the fight.
This Nov. fight could be Pacquiao's last. Anything but a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout will be considered a letdown to boxing fans worldwide.
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