Boxing News 2014: Arum Says Reasons For Mayweather’s Delaying Tactics On Dream Match Is He Is Afraid Of Southpaw Boxers Like Pacquiao
Despite saying he is open to negotiate a fight with Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr continues to throw blocks to the dream match in the form of additional conditions. His latest conditions are for the bout to be shown only on Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) and for his Mayweather Promotions to handle the fight.
Read: Boxing News 2014: Showtime VP Favours Pacquiao As Mayweather's Next Ring Opponent; Money May Insists Fight Should Be Over Showtime PPV Only
Top Rank Promotions head Bob Arum said the reason why Mayweather is making the dream match difficult to push through is because Money May is afraid of a southpaw like Pacquiao, who would end his dream of retiring in 2015 with a 49-0 record to match the same record established by boxer Rocky Marciano.
Arum, who handled Mayweather before, told The Telegraph, "I promoted the guy for 10 years and I know how difficult it was to get him in the ring with any southpaw. When you talk about a southpaw who can move like Manny, that's not the kind of opponent that Mayweather feels he would do well against. That's the problem."
He joked that if Pacquiao would agree to fight right-handed, Mayweather would sign a deal for the dream match in 5 minutes.
Arum added that Money May's lucrative deal with Showtime is another reason because of the 8-digit guaranteed purse, Mayweather would earn mega bucks by fighting any boxer without risking his 0 loss record.
Read: Boxing News 2014: Showtime V Favours Pacquiao As Mayweather's Next Ring Opponent
"I don't think Mayweather will ever agree to fight Pacquiao, particularly while he has a cushy deal with Showtime. He makes money fighting anybody," Arum explained.
For his rematch with Argentinean boxer Marcos Maidana on Sept 13, Mayweather was paid $32 million, plus PPV share, while his opponent earned only a measly $3 million. The huge guaranteed pursed just upped Mayweather's earnings for his last 3 fights to $137 million, ensuring he remains the highest-paid athlete in Forbes magazine's list.
Pacquiao, tired of Mayweather's delaying tactics, told AFP, "He's all talk. Until now he has not yet agreed to fight me. Instead of blabbing, he should face me atop the ring."
The Filipino congressman, who holds titles in 8 divisions as against Mayweather's 5 divisions, added, "I'm tired of his alibis. If he really wants to fight me, he knows how to reach me. We can fight anytime, anywhere."
Pacquiao is scheduled to defend his welterweight title on Nov 22 in a bout against American boxer Chris Algieri at the Venetian Hotel in Macau.
Read:
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