Despite two high-profile failed negotiations, promoter bigwigs Bob Arum and Don King are certain they will be the duo to eventually make the superfight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Don King met with Floyd Mayweather several times last year in hopes of representing him in a third negotiation attempt with Manny Pacquiao, who’s promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank. The first negotiation in early 2010 failed due to Pacquiao refusing to adhere to random, Olympic style drug testing through fight night. The second negotiations fell a part following Mayweather’s announcement he would not fight for the remainder of the year.
Both camps have released conflicting information on their willingness to compromise on the testing. But Arum believes the fight will be made as soon as Mayweather displays a strong desire to make it happen.
“All Floyd Mayweather has to do is say yes, and everything would fall into place,” Arum told AOL Fanhouse.
Mayweather has only fought twice in the last three years, posting two unanimous decision wins over Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley. Turning 34 years old next month, there has been speculation that Mayweather would retire if the Pacquiao fight cannot be made.
Even with the negative media and fan reception to Mayweather’s silence on his future boxing plans, King does not foresee that hurting Mayweather’s box office viability.
“Floyd Mayweather will fight again,” King declared. “Floyd Mayweather, in my humble opinion, is the best fighter in the world. He can fight anybody and everybody.”
Arum and King will co-promote their first card in five years when Miguel Cotto and Ricardo Mayorga meet on pay-per-view on March 12.
******************************************************************************
When I interviewed Pacquiao back in November, he told me that he’s willing to have Olympic testing done between rounds if Mayweather wants it. In Floyd’s latest Ustream video, he said he’ll fight Pacquiao if the Filipino icon is “off the power pellets.” Sounds to me the testing is no longer the issue according to the fighters. What’s the problem?
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 