Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Mayweather Promotions, Alex Ariza, Manny Pacquiao & More!!!

By Vivek Wallace - 09/23/2014 - Comments

Martin R. (St. Louis, MO): Alex Ariza has apparently been signed to Mayweather Promotions to be Floyd’s strength and conditioning guru. Everybody was critical of him when he was with Pacquiao. What are your thoughts now that he is with Floyd Mayweather?

Vivek (ESB): I don’t think there’s a way to defend Mayweather from the “hypocrisy” tag. Several times in the past he spoke bad about Ariza, as it relates to the possibility of him providing steroids for Pacquiao; now he’s going to use him? To many, that double-talk instantly kills credibility, and I can’t say it shouldn’t. It’s just not a good look. That being said, I can see his angle for making such a move. From my seat, this move is part strategy, part psychology. I really believe that Ariza’s presence will be a welcomed addition, when you consider that Mayweather has found this level of success without ever popping a basic vitamin! The addition of modern science could be a very intriguing element to add to his repertoire.

I really am curious to see how that works out. But as it relates to the possibility of him doping, I don’t have much concern. Part of my reason for that position is the fact that of all the men in Ariza’s past who were linked to allegations, Mayweather is the ONLY ONE to voluntarily participate in randomized drug testing. The day he declines randomized drug testing, I will have a major problem with him and tear down his name from pillar to post! But until then, I don’t feel there’s a reason to really question it. The others of Ariza’s past declined test. Mayweather has agreed to them. I’ve always maintained the position that the only men who deserve skepticism around their name are those who decline drug testing or shuffle their feet when the conversation begins.

If Mayweather continues to take the test, any cloud of suspicion formed evaporates! Some may not like that position, but we can’t have it both ways. It’s the test that determines whether or not a fighter is clean or dirty. Not association. Pacquiao has indeed looked less of himself in the absence of Ariza, but supporters can’t concede that without acknowledging that he was in fact playing dirty in the past. I think Mayweather Sr., Roger, and all others within the Mayweather loop will be far too involved to allow Mayweather to put something foreign into his body. I shouldn’t say it’s a non-issue, but if he continues to test voluntarily, to me, it’s a non-issue. Stay tuned.

Karlos H. (Orlando, FL): Jeff Mayweather seemed to put the blame on Leonard Ellerbe for the split between he and Floyd Mayweather. Based on what you know, do you think that’s a fair assessment? Or do you think there’s more to it than we know?

Vivek W. (ESB): I’ve noticed some of the feedback relative to Jeff Mayweather’s recent comments, but before I give my personal thoughts, I’ll start by saying that I think his comments were blown out of proportion. I’m not sure what portion of his comments led anyone to think that he was speaking from an angle of ill-will or malcontent. As a matter of fact, I think in a nutshell, his perspective was pretty much dead on and consistent with what I thought. I didn’t know Ellerbe on a close and personal level, but every time I called his name, he responded with an answer and a smile.

I thought he was a good guy, but his ability to engage and cover random dialog in passing doesn’t qualify him for the job he was asked to carry out for the man who signed his checks (Floyd Mayweather). There are many different accounts spreading relative to what happened to ultimately lead to his termination. Neither Mayweather or Ellerbe have spoken too specifically about their challenges, but the one thing we do know with certainty is that this was the inaugural card for Mayweather Promotions. In other words, all other cards they were part of allowed Ellerbe to piggy back off the efforts of Schafer and others. This, however, was his first chance to dance, and he had to do it solo!

It’s one thing to co-promote, but when all the responsibility falls on you, it’s a totally different operation, and there are no “mulligans”. You get it wrong, you get sent home! Truth be known, this is why he’s gone! Although some have found a reason to question some of Jeff Mayweather’s thoughts, one thing he said really stood out to me. Ellerbe had the expertise of Richard Schafer right next to him as a right hand man for years. Did he commit himself to being the consummate understudy-protoge? Did he truly put in the effort to align himself in a way that gave him the best shot at success?

These are questions none of us can answer at this stage, yet it’s clear that in his first attempt as CEO without the support of Schafer and others, he didn’t quite meet expectations. Where he lands next is a great question. Could it be a role with Jay-Z’s “Roc-Nation”? Could it be the ultimate stunt, by landing in the ranks of Pacquiao/Top Rank somewhere? One would think not, but a month ago, the same odds existed that we’d see Alex Ariza sign a deal with The Money Team, yet there he is! We just never know. But one thing we do know now is that Mayweather’s team is about to take a major overhaul. We’ll have to stay tuned to see where this one goes next.

Fabien C. (Bronx, NYC): Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao seem to be desperate for the Mayweather fight now, based on comments in the media. Do you think it’s easier now than before to finally see the fight made?

Vivek W. (ESB): First and foremost, I think we need to lose any word associated with the term “desperate”, in this case. You raise a very good point that basically there’s no better time than the present, but I still don’t think that equates to desperation. One thing that should certainly help negotiations this time around is the fact that for the first time, ever, there is a clear and uncontested A-side to the promotion who will have the opportunity to call more of the shots. That being said, although Mayweather has earned that status at the table, it doesn’t mean for a second that Top Rank/Team Pacquiao will concede everything he request.

There’s some blind notion out there that Pacquiao is “desperate”, because of his waning drawing power, the IRS troubles, and beyond. For those who feel that way, my request would be to trace the history, and you’ll realize that pretty much everything Pacquiao is facing now, he has been faced with for nearly a decade. Few knew it, but going into the initial bout with Morales, Pacquiao found himself asking for pay advances, having pay related funds confiscated, and going home with a mere $300K from a fight contract that promised him $2M dollars. Pacquiao has kept himself in that situation all of these years, which tells me something that few seem to consider when analyzing this mess:

If Pacquiao has been riddled with the same string of issues for nearly a decade and hasn’t pushed for a situation where he can maximize his earning as the chief talent on his promoters big ticket, he probably won’t now, either. Many have said “Mayweather turned down his highest career purse out of fear of Pacquiao”; but to that same group of individuals, I urge you each to look at Mayweather’s last 6 or 7 purses in comparison. He’s practically making comparable money without Pacquiao.

Years ago, fans said he was “pricing himself out” when he stated that he’d want no less than $100M for a fight with Pacquiao. Between his fight purse and back end PPV shares, he practically earned that very amount against Canelo in a bout that he still receives income from to this very day. Mayweather has done a very solid job positioning himself to maximize his earning power. Pacquiao is in position to as well, but he will need to push his promoter to make it happen. I’m not so sure he will, I’m not sure he can, and I’m not sure he ever truly has. He rebuffed the $40M flat fee offer from Mayweather years ago. After a KO loss and marginal numbers, he may not be eligible for that figure now!

At the end of the day, a victory over Algieri won’t return Pacquiao to the promised land. He will need to understand his position, (which is not the A-side), make a few concessions, and force his promoter to get the job done. Mayweather is no longer co-promoting his fights with GBP, so if the fight moves forward, he won’t need split with two other promoters. On the strength of that alone he benefits from fighting now. This also gives insight on why Mayweather said the fight would be better if Pacquiao made the fight independent of Arum. I doubt we see that happen, but all past indications tell me that it won’t happen with him either. Lets see what happens. Don’t hold your breath waiting!

(Vivek “Vito” Wallace can be reached every Tuesday night on “Left-Hook Lounge Radio”. He can also be reached at 954.770.9807, Twitter (@vivekwallace747), Instagram (ViveksView), and Facebook).