By Mark Vester
The Friday deadline for a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight is right around the corner. Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum spoke with USA Today and said he doubts Mayweather will approve the fight proposal for a November 13 showdown. The two alternate options for Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. Arum appears to be leaning in the direction of Margarito. The fight would likely take place in Mexico because Margarito is not licensed to box in the United States.
The vacant WBC junior middleweight title would be on the line. Pacquiao would move up in 154-pounds to attempt further history by trying to win a title in an eight weight division.
"They'll go absolutely nuts for this," said Arum. "They have a new arena in Monterrey. The governor wants it, the city wants it, and Manny is not reluctant to fight a Mexican in Mexico."
Arum is not sure why Mayweather has not responded to the fight proposal.
"But I'm trying to rationalize it, and if it's because he may be reluctant to fight now because of the problems his uncle (and trainer, Roger Mayweather) has, then I understand it," Arum said. "We have heard nothing from (Floyd). But hey, it's not the end of the world. If it doesn't happen this year, hopefully it will happen next year," possibly in May 2011."
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