Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Yes…or no
As most boxing fans know, the fight between the two boxing stars had been getting lots of play in the past month, as a potential fight between the two did in 2010, when it failed to materialize. Recent reports suggested it was Arum and his Top Rank Promotions impeding the fight, the implication from the Mayweather camp was that if Arum stepped aside, they’d find a path to a contract.
“We’re trying, but it’s been extremely difficult dealing with Top Rank,” the 47-0 Mayweather told Shade 45 radio. “I don’t want to sit right here and point the finger at Pacquiao and say that it’s him, because it’s not Pacquiao. It’s his promoter.”
Arum isn’t having any of that. He said they’ve signed the contract and do not know why Mayweather has not. And Pacquiao recently said that he and his camp were “waiting on a signed contract” to be delivered by Mayweather. He added that the fans deserved the fight and claimed that he’d done everything he could to give it to them.
Top Rank, Arum, look toward Khan
If there is no Mayweather vs. Pacquiao bout on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the agreed upon date and venue if Mayweather and Pacquiao do fight, then Arum will find another city, maybe country, and another bout for his fighter, a bout he said will take place on May 30.
“A lot of places around the world want to host a Manny Pacquiao fight,” Arum said on ESPN.com on Saturday. “He’s an international icon, and I have been approached by a number of people looking to host a Manny Pacquiao fight.”
Arum made the comments while in Denver to watch the Saturday night fight between Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios. He also noted that the replacement for Mayweather could be British boxing champ Amir Khan, who has been openly lobbying for a fight with Mayweather or Pacquiao. The eight-division champ Pacquiao is at the moment in the U.K. talking with none other than Prince Harry, interested in promoting a fight.
“Prince Harry has a group looking to put on a Manny Pacquiao fight in London,” Arum said. “Khan would certainly make sense, and it’s an interesting fight. But remember: all that is a backup plan. We are still trying to nail down the Mayweather fight. We need Mayweather to say yes.”
Obviously those words make it seem as if Mayweather is indeed the hold-up but again that’s not how the Mayweather camp explains it. So who is holding up the show then? And why? Drug-testing, split of the money, how the fight would be broadcast? We won’t know more until the announcement of the fight is made.
Or until the announcement that there will be no fight is made.
