By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com sat down with Top Rank’s Bob Arum to discuss the possibility of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao encounter in 2010, and a variety of other related topics. The biggest hurdle to make that fight is the money. Mayweather, on more than one occasion, has gone on the record and made it clear that he won’t take a 50-50 deal to fight Pacquiao. He often cites his pay-per-view numbers as a big factor in demanding more money than Manny. In at least two interviews, Mayweather has taken the position of demanding at least a 60-40 split in his favor.
“60-40? That’s music to my ears. If I start hearing 60-40 – that just tells me to hang up [the phone] and move on to the next guy,” Arum said.
Arum would like to see Mayweather accept the challenge of Shane Mosley. He honestly believes Mayweather will never accept a fight with Mosley because of the risk factor involved. Mosley’s style, in Arum’s opinion, would give Mayweather hell.
“I think Cotto probably beats Mayweather. I think Manny probably beats Mayweather and I think Mosley beats Mayweather. I think Shane Mosley, because of his style, has the best chance to beat Mayweather,” Arum said.
“The fight that should be made is Mayweather and Shane Mosley. But Mayweather won’t take that fight. He won’t take any fight where there is any possibility where he might lose. Money is secondary with him. He will not take a chance like a normal fighter. He cares more about his legacy and being able to retire undefeated, so he could say that he never lost a fight.”
Another potential opponent for Mosley would be the winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto, set for November 14. Regardless of the winner, Arum would like to see both of his fighters give some serious consideration to Mosley as a possible opponent in 2010.
“I think Pacquiao and Cotto should give Mosley some serious consideration. The reason I made the fight [Cotto-Pacquiao] is because Cotto beat Mosley and both of them [Cotto-Pacquiao] are my fighters,” Arum said.
