By Lem Satterfield
LAS VEGAS -- Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com that he believes that unbeaten six-time titlist Floyd Mayweather will clamor enthusiastically for a clash with eight-division king and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao -- but only after the Filipino congressman is retired and deeply into his political career.
Arum made his statements at the MGM Grand Hotel, where he is promoting Saturday night's battle between Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) and challenger and five-time champion, Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs, who is trying to win Pacquiao's WBO belt.
On May 1 of 2010, Mosley lost a unanimous decision to Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) after having staggered Mayweather in the second round.
"Do I think that the fight will take place? The answer is how in the hell do I know. But I would think that Mayweather is going to avoid Manny Pacquiao until Pacquiao retires and goes full time in to policits," said Arum.
"And when Pacquiao is only concentrating on cementing and dealing with his political career, Mayweather will say, 'Hey, let's fight. You're ducking me,'" said Arum. "I think that at that point, Mayweather will do everything that he can to change the record in that way."