In the midst of all of the shock and panic regarding what Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s jail time means for a prospective fight versus Manny Pacquiao everyone forgot to do one thing: determine whether it actually means anything.
It doesn’t.
As we reported on Opposing Views almost immediately after news of Mayweather’s sentencing broke, the undefeated superstar’s jail time was factored in to any and all negotiations. There were some doubts regarding how long the stint could be for -- and best case scenario whether it could be avoided entirely -- but it was generally presumed that some jail time was a foregone conclusion.
And, again, Top Rank boss Bob Arum indicated this much before Mayweather’s jail time was even announced.
On Thursday, in the wake of the entire boxing community going nuts over whether or not Mayweather’s sentence jeopardizes a potential mega fight versus Pacquiao, Arum came out to squelch any and all concerns. In an interview with the good folks at the Manila Bulletin, the Top Rank head honcho indicated that a November 2012 match against Mayweather was a very likely scenario. In fact, he even went so far as to insinuate the real debate isn’t whether or not Pacquiao will fight Mayweather in the spring but, rather, whether or not he wants to squeeze in another fight before that.
It’s no secret, of course, that Arum has long-since been hoping that Pacquiao would find time to fight either Timothy Bradley or Juan Manuel Marquez right around May.
“It’s all up to Manny,” Arum told the Bulletin. “But I’d like him to fight in the spring.”
As we noted yesterday, the May 5, 2012 fight date was one that was mostly heavily pushed by outside parties (read: the media). It was pushed, primarily, because seeing as the camps involved are so ridiculously sensitive, the longer they hold out the likelier it is that something happens to bulldoze discussions. The truth of the matter was, though, that insiders always speculated that a late 2012 date for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather was far more realistic an expectation than what the media was hyping.
Turns out they were right.
So, once again – nothing has changed. Even Arum, the little engine that has consistently done his best to not put too much stock in Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, is admitting that the fight is likely to occur. Pacquiao has said the fight is “80 to 90 percent” agreed to. And, heck, even Mayweather is shying away from making any outlandish and incendiary comments.
We’ll get there, folks. Patience is key.
Related Content
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather: Mayweather’s Jail Time Means Nothing
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Update: Mayweather Gets 90 Days in Jail
Bob Arum Has Some “Interesting” Ideas for Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather
I love both fighters, Manny and Floyd, they are unique in their own ways. However I absolutely hate waiting in a queue.
Many of us having been figuratively in a queue salivating over the prospect of Manny and Floyd getting into the same ring to decide who is pound for pound the greatest.
If this fight does not happen this year, I dont care if it happens at all, both fighters cannot make time standstill and I dont really want to see old fighters settle the score prior to retirement.
IF November 2012 is the absolute sign sealed and deliver date of this dream fight then Manny should not make any other plans for a fight other than 2012 of November. He also need to spend TIME.. to rest and to rejuvenate. I don't think it's wise to make one since this is the long awaited fight.."Let me make my comment simple" (Manny waits for Floyd) and work on his political obligation while waiting.
There Can Be Only One.