Pacquiao-Mayweather chances slim for '10 says Top Rank boss‎

With a Friday deadline looming, hopes for a Nov. 13 mega-fight between boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are all but dead, according to Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, which represents Pacquiao. Arum said Wednesday he doubts the 33-year-old Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) will agree to the fight — which could net each fighter $50 million — by Top Rank's self-imposed deadline Friday, or anytime this year. But Arum said a very real possibility is a Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito matchup on Nov. 13 in Monterrey, Mexico. Arum said Monterrey is intriguing because it has a new arena, and Pacquiao would not have to pay U.S. taxes, which he said amount to about 30%. And Pacquiao, who has been called the "Mexican Assassin," because he's defeated most of the top Mexican challengers, is highly respected and well-liked in that boxing-crazy country. "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." Margarito, a Mexican who was suspended for a year in the U.S. for having an illegal substance in his hand wraps, is not licensed in the U.S., but never did lose his license to fight in Mexico. Margarito is the top contender for the WBC light middleweight (154-pound) title vacated by Sergio Martinez, who is now the middleweight champion. Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) and Pacquiao (51-3-2, 39 KOs) would presumably fight for the 154-pound belt. A win for Pacquiao would be in a record eighth different weight class. He's the only fighter ever to have won titles in seven different weight classes. Arum said they have also been in contact with officials from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates about having the fight there. He said, however, he didn't know if anything would come out of those talks. Arum said he's frustrated that the talks with Golden Boy, which represents Mayweather, have not resulted in the Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight being made. The talks have been under an HBO-imposed gag order. "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. Roger Mayweather will go on trial in August on a battery charge involving a female boxer he once trained. "We have heard nothing from (Floyd)," Arum said. "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. Calls to Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's manager and close adviser were not returned. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2010-07-14-manny-pacquiao-floyd-mayweather-chances-slim_N.htm

Comments (20)

A compromised deal the 1st time around? haha that is reaching. Mannys original request was a month. He "compromised" to 20. Floyd to 14. Manny is again willing to comprimise in the 2nd round of negotiations going to 14, yet here is floyd again making more demands. If you look at it objectively without being a desperate fanboy, then youd have to concede that Manny is willing to bend in order to make the fight. While floyd.... would rather request and create more demands. Lol Manny rejected the 14 day compromise first time round, which is why Floyd retracted it. No way Manny is bending to make the fight. It's quite funny how Manny is insisting on a dead offer.

15y ago

Vadrigar

15y ago

Vadrigar

I'm gonna pretend Manny says he wants a 24-day cutoff. What? What do you mean it's old news? Why can't I pretend like the Pac-diots do? Man, pactards have spewed out their BS again in this thread. Take a look at the pages.

15y ago

fabie

In my humble opinion, all of these drama in both sides would have been non-existent if not for a weak governing body that is the Nevada Sports Athletic Commission. Had they established bylaws, rules and regulations that are enforceable, practical and agreeable to begin with - then every policy would have been standardized from drugs, weights/catchweights, negotiations, defending the crown and ultimatums on fights to unify the crown. The fact that it was left for different camps, different boxers, different promotions and different demands are due to these. If NSAC really wants to clean up the sport, then a strong-willed group of people dedicated to the sport of pugilism/boxing should be first and foremost, the order of the day. For a rare occasion to see Floyd Mayweather, Jr and Manny Pacquiao in their caliber as the "Best of the best" in our era is now just a mythical fight that forever be talked about. No one is to blame....no one more than the NSAC. I rest my case.

15y ago

IMDAZED

I'm gonna pretend Manny says he wants a 24-day cutoff. What? What do you mean it's old news? Why can't I pretend like the Pac-diots do?

15y ago

qwerty07

You don't care? This was the major issue as to why the fight fell apart the first time around. This is the most prominent issue in this debacle and you are saying 'WHo THE FUKK CARES"? It shows how much you really care about this fight happening. You have failed to answer my question. If the offer is OK for Team Pac now, what was the problem 4 months ago? This is a major issue. I guess we have to wait and see what Mayweather has to say about Arums new contract. So hold your horses you menstruating fanboy. It's called compromise you tard. When there's a disagreement, both parties give in a little and meet in the middle. Team Pac and doing that. Team Mayweather is being vaginas and dodging that shit.

15y ago

The_Big_Dunn

A compromised deal the 1st time around? haha that is reaching. Mannys original request was a month. He "compromised" to 20. Floyd to 14. Manny is again willing to comprimise in the 2nd round of negotiations going to 14, yet here is floyd again making more demands. If you look at it objectively without being a desperate fanboy, then youd have to concede that Manny is willing to bend in order to make the fight. While floyd.... would rather request and create more demands. But shogunn, after the mosley fight floyd made it clear what the new terms were. To agree to anything else but that is silly.

15y ago

shogunn

im not even gonna read the next post. Its probably going to be about 4 months ago, etc etc. floyd fans just always have to defend their savior at any cost

15y ago

shogunn

Mayweather offered the 'compromised' deal 4 months ago. Team Pac refused it. So presumeably Team mayweather believed the offer was not good enough for Pac so they took the offer off the table. Arum has now offered Mayweather the offer which Mayweather offered them 4 months ago. That there is proof Arum and Pac are to blame for the 1st negotiations falling apart. Now, you need to stop being a fanboy and jumping the gun. Mayweather has until next week to make up his mind. A compromised deal the 1st time around? haha that is reaching. Mannys original request was a month. He "compromised" to 20. Floyd to 14. Manny is again willing to comprimise in the 2nd round of negotiations going to 14, yet here is floyd again making more demands. If you look at it objectively without being a desperate fanboy, then youd have to concede that Manny is willing to bend in order to make the fight. While floyd.... would rather request and create more demands.

15y ago

fcastro1

floyd tried his best to duck this fight. Flomos look at this reasonably and stop being fan boys. First he brings up steroid tests against a fighter with no history of cheating. 2nd negotiations instead of clarifying the last details from the last negotiations floyd changes the goal poosts by making new demands. Is that the actions of a man that really wants the fight. Stop being blinded fanboys.

15y ago

shogunn

Nope. Both parties will be at fault once again. Team Pacquiao will be at fault for offering an expired deal and Mayweather will be at fault for not 'compromising' again. Anyways, lets hope this fight gets made. haha oh no..here we go again. Milk gets expired. Not floyds decisions, thats him on his own. manny is willing to compromise. If floyd doesnt accept, then clearly he wasnt able to compromise.. Theres no other way of looking at it, unless you have some kind of sick fixation with floyds demands and requests.

15y ago

shogunn

What don't you understand about a deadline? Mayweather still has 1 week to accept Arums offer. Relax, take a deep breath. Also, thank you for admitting both parties were at fault. haha, and if floyd doesnt accept? youre willing to admit floyd is at fault this time around. or are you gonna bump old threads

15y ago

shogunn

You are just a fanboy. Arum offered his contract and a deadline. Mayweather still has time to respond. How exactly did Floyd make it worse? By not negotiating through the media? Right. So the fight fell apart the first time around because Manny refused Mayweather 14 day cut off offer? Team Pac have now, 4 months later, offered Floyd the exact same 14 day offer which they refused and was the ultimate factor as to why the fight did not happen. So are you in agreement that Team Pacquiao blew the fight 4 months ago? both were at fault. Now Manny is willing to compromise, yet floyd isnt. Manny is willing to give in to make the fight happen. Floyd did nothing of the sort this time around. That is a fact. All of a sudden his deal is "expired" because Manny was willing to comprimise. He felt obligated to make things worse in order to not get in the ring with Manny. It definitely seems like floyd is at fault this time around, and him alone. but if you like to keep asking what happened 4 months ago, dig up old threads.

15y ago

Check_hooks

if team pac agrees to drug testing than they should demand no lydocane for floyd before the fight and they should test him for crack i know his family has a history of hard drug use and domestic violence

15y ago

shogunn

You don't care? This was the major issue as to why the fight fell apart the first time around. This is the most prominent issue in this debacle and you are saying 'WHo THE FUKK CARES"? It shows how much you really care about this fight happening. You have failed to answer my question. If the offer is OK for Team Pac now, what was the problem 4 months ago? This is a major issue. I guess we have to wait and see what Mayweather has to say about Arums new contract. So hold your horses you menstruating fanboy. teh fight fell apart, everyone knows that. So what happens next? you renegotiate . SOMEONE has to give in. And Manny did. Did floyd? no. In fact he made it worse. and some how manny is at fault again, haha. instead you worry about what happened the first time around instead of whats happening now. Is this because youre more concerned of what floyd wants rather than the fight actually happening? most likely...yes

15y ago

Vadrigar

that doesnt make me wonder at all. I think an idiot would ask that question wake up then!

15y ago

shogunn

I blame Arum and Michael Koncz. They are feeding Pacquiao with bullshit. right, but dont blame floyd for renegging

15y ago

shogunn

Pacquiao said he couldn't accept the proposed 14 day cut of because he was in "heavy training", but after the Clottey fight, he suddenly wants a 14 day cut off. Just makes you wonder..................what the hell is going in Pacquiaos training camp? :thinking: that doesnt make me wonder at all. I think an idiot would ask that question

15y ago

shogunn

I ask of you. If Pacquiao thinks the 14 day offer is fair now, wtf was the problem 4 months ago? who the **** cares? the 2nd go around, someone has to give in or youll end up with the same result as before, NO FIGHT. Manny was willing to compromise the 2nd go around but floyd is playing games. Can you say floyd was willing to compromise? nope, he did the exact opposite. And you teens are having an orgasm over it

15y ago

Vadrigar

I ask of you. If Pacquiao thinks the 14 day offer is fair now, wtf was the problem 4 months ago? Pacquiao said he couldn't accept the proposed 14 day cut of because he was in "heavy training", but after the Clottey fight, he suddenly wants a 14 day cut off. Just makes you wonder..................what the hell is going in Pacquiaos training camp? :thinking:

15y ago