by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Despite growing skepticism that the eagerly awaited showdown between eight Jr will happen division world champion Manny Pacquiao and undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather, World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman is convinced the fight will happen, fulfilling the anticipation, expectations and thrill factor for the millions of sports fans around the world.
Mexico-based correspondent James Blears reported that Sulaiman made these comments at the Second Race of Champions in Mexico City, honoring the memory of his Father Jose Sulaiman, which attracted thousands of runners, raising money for the Charity Angels with Autism.
Blears note that “the marathon negotiations between the Floyd and Manny's teams are still sweating some way from the finishing line, but Mauricio remains optimistic.”
Sulaiman said: "It will happen. The money is there, the public awareness and attention is there. It's just a matter of putting anything aside and understanding the need to fight.”
The WBC president noted that "Floyd is a double champion and undefeated. He is there and a representative of boxing today, so we'll see. We're making everything possible for the fight to happen. Let's get them to sign, then we can talk about the fight."
Pacquiao who is a judge at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Miami, Florida last week had a private dinner with Prince Harry, fourth in line to the m lime to the British throne and later met in a rundown boxing gym for underprivileged kids where he held discussions about a possible fight with WBC welterweight Silver champion Amir Khan about a possible fight in case the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight doesn’t take place as planned on May 2.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has set a May 30 date for a possible Pacquiao possible fight in case the Pacquiao –Mayweather fight planned for May 2 doesn’t push through. -Khan title fight in London’s Wembley Stadium, Las Vegas, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
