A number of excuses have been made by all parties involved for why a Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. megafight never materialized.
Pacquiao’s side claims that Mayweather is slanderous and unwilling to cooperate in basic negotiations. Mayweather’s side, on the other hand, claims that Pacquiao -- despite his public claims to the contrary -- refuses to take the appropriate drug tests.
In a recent column, however, Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports shed a bit of light on another reason why this bout has never come to fruition. He cites the tense relationship that Mayweather has had with Top Rank boss Bob Arum as a major reason for negotiations are constantly falling apart.
"Mayweather dislikes Arum tremendously and I believe is reticent to agree to the bout because he doesn't want to see Arum get such a huge payday," Iole wrote.
"He (Arum) dislikes Mayweather and Mayweather adviser Al Haymon as much as Mayweather dislikes him," Iole said. "There is more than a decade of extremely bad blood between them that will have to be overcome to get the fight made.”
Arum, of course, served as Mayweather’s promoter in the early parts of the undefeated champion’s career. The pair had a very hostile, angry falling out in 2006, though, and the relationship has never actually been mended since that point.
Both men have done fine without each other since their break-up. Arum has gone on to promote Pacquiao, who at this point is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. And Mayweather, for his part, just cashed in on a $40 million fight against a hapless Victor Ortiz who posed zero challenge to Mayweather’s undefeated record once they actually got into the ring.
Pacquiao, Mayweather and Arum could very easily just avoid each other for the duration of their careers and continue to see big money pour in from fights against overwhelmed, underprepared opponents.
However, if they actually wanted to put on a fight that fans are desperate to see, they would need to put their differences aside for the greater good of the sport that has made them all rich men, and negotiate in good faith.
Will it happen? Probably not.
Already, Pacquiao and Arum are busy scanning for fighters on their Top Rank roster who will earn a shot at the Filipino superstar after he’s done making short work of Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12. And Mayweather, he seems more or less content throwing shots at Pacquiao from a distance on his buddy’s radio show.
At this point, even though a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will likely never happen, it’s important to get as many details as possible on the matter. That way, when we’re writing about this stuff in the history books – we won’t accidentally tarnish the wrong guy’s legacy.
My prediction is coming true..There will be no fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr.
This is how it's going to be read in the History Books:
1. Muhammid Ali = Greatest of all time.
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. = One amongst the great Undefeated fighters (thrugh smart marketing).
3. Manny Pacquiao = 8th Wonder Of The World
There Can Be Only One.
i contend loles idea on some points. arum hates floyds ego, thats a fact. but not getting this pacquiao fight aint logical. to me, arum badly wants both this tough guys to fight! its more than the trilla in manila ali foreman fight for crying out loud and you say arum dont want this? are you kidding me? arum worships money and puts everyone to fight so he can earn millions! or its the cowardice thats making this match up impossible!