Promoter Bob Arum delivered what he said would be his last proposal yesterday to salvage the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., which has been on life support over a blood testing dispute.

Under Arum's proposal, the Nevada Athletic Commission would have the final say in how much testing there would be for the fight and when it would take place. Preparations for the fight would go forward and there would be three blood tests — none within 30 days of the fight — unless the commission decided otherwise at a mid-January meeting.

"We will go along with what the Nevada commission decides. We will give them a blank check," Arum said. "We want this fight to go forward."

Arum said Pacquiao's side would go no further than the proposal, and that he will begin negotiations today with Paul Malignaggi for the March 13 date the megafight was supposed to take place on.

The position is tougher than earlier statements by those in Pacquiao's camp that there could be a compromise on blood testing if it is not done by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and in the final days before the fight. It leaves the fate of the fight in jeopardy since there would likely be little appetite by Nevada regulators to go beyond the urine tests now required by state law.

The director of the Nevada commission and Mayweather's representatives did not immediately return phone calls yesterday.

All other issues were earlier resolved, but the nasty dispute over attempts by Mayweather's camp to introduce stringent blood testing to pro boxing for the first time make it increasingly unlikely it will happen.

Mayweather's representatives backed off their insistence on using the USADA over the weekend, but continued to insist on random blood and urine tests with a cutoff date mutually agreeable to both sides.

Pacquiao's camp seemed willing to agree to that up until the last few days when the conversation turned from testing to slander lawsuits against those alleging that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs to move up in weight to win titles in seven different weight classes.

"It's all either a smokescreen because Mayweather doesn't want to do the fight or an attempt by (Mayweather promoter) Richard Schaefer to smear Manny Pacquiao," Arum said. "We will deal with that legally."

Ironically, Malignaggi is one of those who has suggested in interviews that Pacquiao must have used something to be able to dominate fighters in the higher weight classes.

If the fight is not held March 13, there is still a chance it could happen in September after the two have other fights.

HOCKEY

U.S. GETS 3-0 WIN OVER SWITZERLAND

Jack Campbell made 22 saves and the United States remained unbeaten at the world junior hockey championship with a 3-0 victory over Switzerland yesterday at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Chris Kreider, Matt Donovan and A.J. Jenks scored for the Americans (2-0), who beat Slovakia, 7-3, Saturday night.

Benjamin Conz made 46 saves for Switzerland (0-1).

"He played great. I was getting a little nervous there," Campbell said. "It was one of those games where the other goalie is standing on his head while I didn't get too many shots. ... We were lucky to bury a few on him in the end."

With a partisan crowd behind them, the Swiss were the stronger team in the opening period, generating more scoring chances. Sven Ryser had a chance to put Switzerland ahead, but Campbell stopped him on a partial breakaway with 6 minutes remaining.

"Obviously it's very disappointing. We were really close," Swiss captain Luca Sbisa said.

The United States will resume Group A play tomorrow against Latvia.

SAILING

ALFA ROMEO CLOSES IN ON FINISH LINE

New Zealand maxi Alfa Romeo extended its lead in the Sydney to Hobart race early today as the contenders for line honors sailed down the east coast of Tasmania to an expected evening finish.

Alfa Romeo, skippered by Neville Crichton and taking advantage of an early breeze that his competitors failed to catch, led by 20 nautical miles over defending champion Wild Oats XI of Australia.

British entry ICAP Leopard, which was in second place for much of the race that began Saturday, fell back to third, several nautical miles behind Wild Oats XI in the race that covers 628 nautical miles (723 miles).

At midday today, Alfa Romeo had just over 100 nautical miles to the finish line at Constitution Dock in Hobart.

"Oh dear, this race may prove one of the lightest and longest ever," ICAP Leopard owner and skipper Mike Slade said.

The race record was set in 2005 when Wild Oats XI finished in 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes.