The road to the Pacquiao-Mayweather ‘Fight of the Century’

2010: Negotiations between both camps fizzle

Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines (L) salutes the crowd after defeating Joshua Clottey of Ghana during their WBO welterweight title fight at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas on March 13, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON

Pacquiao, the newly-minted Fighter of the Decade, starts the year running circles around the flat-footed Joshua Clottey in March in the match billed as “the Event” at the Cowboys’ Stadium in Texas. Pacquiao won via unanimous decision.

Floyd Mayweather (R) punches Shane Mosley during their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on Mai 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Two months after, Mayweather outpoints “Sugar” Shane Mosely in his only fight of 2010 to remain undefeated in his professional boxing career.

Two months after beating Clottey, Pacquiao becomes the “Fighting Congressman” as he is elected to the House of Representatives as the lone representative of Sarangani province in Mindanao.

Congressman, Filipino eight-division world champion boxing hero Manny Pacquiao (C) sits with fellow lawmakers during the 15th congress at the House of Representatives. AFP PHOTO/ JAY DIRECTO

Before the end of the year, Pacquiao steps into the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium anew and cuts Antonio Margarito down to size to claim the vacant WBC light middleweight champion.  After winning via unanimous decision in a total domination of Margarito, Pacquiao becomes the first boxer to win titles in eight weight classes.

Antonio Margarito of Mexico congratulates Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines after Pacquaio won their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at Cowboys Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Nick Laham/Getty Images/AFP

But despite repeated attempts at making the fight happen and even entering into mediation, negotiations between both camps fizzle after Mayweather demanded for a urine and blood testing up until fight day, which Pacquiao is opposed to.

To further fuel the tension between the two, Mayweather rips Pacquiao in a profanity-filled, racist video posted on streaming site U-steam, where he reportedly calls the Filipino icon a “little yellow chump.” The American boxer later apologized for his tirade.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Pacquiao: Margarito better than Clottey
• Pacquiao defeats Margarito for 8th crown
• Pacquiao: I’ll fight as boxer, congressman
• Pacquiao watches, shrugs off ‘racist’ video; Floyd apologizes