Floyd Mayweather Jr. blamed Manny Pacquiao for the collapse of their prospective bout yesterday, claiming the Filipino boxer refuses to accept a reasonable compromise on drug testing concerns.

Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight, which was slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas before Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared it dead Wednesday night.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement that began with Mayweather saying he's "thoroughly disgusted" by Pacquiao's representatives' attempts to blame him for the collapse of what's likely to be the richest bout in boxing history.

"In my opinion it is Manny Pacquiao and his team who are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever," Mayweather said. "I know the people will see through their smokes screens and lies. I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."

The sides went to mediation on Tuesday in Santa Monica in an attempt to resolve the drug testing issues that are the only remaining conflicts in the negotiation.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has filed a lawsuit alleging Mayweather and most of his representatives, including Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, defamed him by falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

BASEBALL

RED SOX SIGN BELTRE

Adrian Beltre and the Boston Red Sox finalized a one-year contract yesterday that guarantees the third baseman $10 million.

Beltre gets $9 million this year, and the deal includes a $5 million player option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout. The option would escalate to $10 million if Beltre has 575 plate appearances this year.

BASKETBALL

KNICKS TOP BOBCATS

Chris Duhon made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:03 left, Danilo Gallinari followed with two more, and the host New York Knicks held on for a 97-93 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats last night.

Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 27 points to lead the Knicks, who hit six 3-pointers in the final quarter and 12 overall. They also got a huge break when video review of Stephen Jackson's long jumper agreed with the officials' ruling of a 2-pointer, instead of a 3 that would have tied it with 1:43 to go.

TENNIS

FEDERER, NADAL WIN

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reached the Qatar Open semifinals yesterday at Doha, Qatar.

Federer overcame Ernests Gulbis, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and Nadal led Steve Darcis 6-1, 2-0 when the Belgian retired because of a back problems.

In today's semifinals, Federer will play third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) winner over seventh-seeded Ivo Karlovic. Nadal faces fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki, who beat Lukasz Kubot, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1).

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Rafer Alston, who was released by the New Jersey Nets, cleared waivers yesterday and signed with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season.