by James Slater – Promoter Bob Arum, who was happy with the way his latest big show went yesterday in New York, spoke after Miguel Cotto had stopped a brave Yuri Foreman about the fight the whole world wants to see: Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Junior. And the 78-year-old made it very clear that his man Pacquiao wants the fight, and that it is now up to Mayweather to decide if he does.
Pac-Man, who earlier this year refused to undergo the blood tests “Money” demanded, is now willing to take the tests so as to get the mega-fight on, Arum said. Also, Arum said he thinks the fight, if it does happen, will take place in Las Vegas. However, the promoter feels Mayweather wants no part of the Filipino legend..
“I’m telling you now, I’ve had long conversations with him, Manny Pacquiao’s frst goal is to get Mayweather into the ring and this whole drug testing nonsense – and I think it was nonsense, but Manny has now agreed,” Arum said in New York. “He’s agreed, so now that’s [the drug testing] not an issue. So now the ball’s in Mayweather’s court and if Mayweather doesn’t fight him, that’s Mayweather’s decision and he has every right to make that decision.
“If I was Mayweather I wouldn’t want to fight Pacquiao either.”
But does Floyd want the fight? Rumours that Mayweather uttered some talk of taking another “retirement” have made the internet, and if the suggestion that Mayweather may take another year-long break is true, this would likely kill the super-fight for good. What we need now, seeing as how Pac-Man is seemingly doing all HE can to make the fight, is for “Money” to do the same. Hopefully, Mayweather or someone from his team will make a statement soon, letting us know where we are with this genuinely fascinating fight.
Arum then spoke about how the fight would likely go ahead in Vegas if anywhere.
“I live there and I have no problem with the fight being in Vegas, and I know Manny has no problem either,” Arum said. “There are things that I know that you don’t about why Las Vegas will go to the last mile to get that fight and I would think that Las Vegas has to be the front runner.”
Of course Las Vegas, which has had it’s money troubles recently, would love to host the big fight; what with all the revenue it would net the city – but fans generally do not care where the fight takes place, as long as it does take place somewhere! But if it doesn’t?
There are some suggestions that a “plan-B” for Pacquiao could be a return with Cotto; who, of course, won a title at 154-pounds yesterday. Would Pac-Man possibly be willing to try his hand up at light-middleweight? As Arum said, it’s all up to Mayweather.