Arum says Mayweather not serious

By Boxing News - 11/04/2011 - Comments

Image: Arum says Mayweather not seriousBy John F. McKenna (McJack): The Floyd Mayweather Jr. camp caused a quite a stir in the boxing world today with it’s announcement that Floyd is reserving May 5, 2012 as possible date for a showdown between Floyd and Manny Pacquiao. Supposedly the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas has already been contacted by Mayweather’s people as a possible venue for a fight between World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.(42-0, 26 KO’s) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s).

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum isn’t buying it. He was quoted in SI.com saying the following:

“They are playing games. You don’t negotiate this way. This is Floyd trying to move Manny out of the spotlight. This is no way to negotiate a fight. The MGM on May 5th? Who the hell is Floyd to say that? I know they are not serious. We put Floyd in a corner when we made it crystal clear that the issue of drug testing is over. So he comes out and makes this statement? Nobody even knows if he is going to be around in May.

“What happens if the MGM Grand is not putting up any guarantees? They have a call in to reserve it, big deal. Has anyone sat down and negotiated with them? What if Jerry or the Wynn people are putting up 30 million dollars? Wouldn’t you consider that? The negotiation on the site is a major element in any of these promotions. They know that. It’s why I believe this is not sincere. This is bull—-. If the fight was to happen Mayweather would want to maximize revenue. He wouldn’t tie himself to one place. He would see what other offers are out there. Even if he says he doesn’t want to fight in Texas, OK, there are other offers.”

“I’m not reaching out to anybody. They know my number. I want it done right. I want to maximize the revenue for everybody. And what is the magic of May 5th? May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. What does that have to do with anything? It makes no sense.”

Arum is annoyed that Mayweather would presume to dictate the terms of any proposed fight with Pacquiao. Arum’s comment that Floyd may not even be around by May 5 is an obvious reference to the legal problems that Mayweather is in. There has been no love lost between “Uncle” Bob and “Money” since their well publicized and acrimonious split in 2006.



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