Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
May super-fight clings to slim chance
The tit-for-tat battle over money in the Mayweather v
Pacquiao saga has threatened to ruin the richest fight in the sport after an apparent
blockade by Bob Arum was overlooked as the two fighters debate the split for a 2012 showdown.
Arum, 80, had been adamant that Pacquiao would fight
in June, but in recent days, the biggest problem has seemed to be the monetary
aspect of the bout and if a happy medium can be found, the fight has a slim
chance of being agreed for late May.
Mayweather has claimed in email sent to ESPN that Pacquiao's 50 percent deal that the two champions had originally conversed about on the phone can't happen, although if
the Filipino relaxed his demands, the contest would have a chance of going ahead and could start
to be promoted for 2012.
The more likely date still remains November in Las Vegas as the two are
continually linked to other fighters for May and June fights respectively. WBA
light-middleweight title holder Miguel Cotto has been positioned between the two
as a contender to meet either ‘Money’ at 150 or the ‘Pacman’ at 147 and is
thought to favour Mayweather at the catchweight.
The biggest obstacle in the way of an immediate fight is
still the date of May 5th. Mayweather has been told that May 26th
or June 9th are the only dates that the Filipino Congressman is
available to fight, meaning the American would have to cancel plans for the earlier
bout on Cinco de Mayo if the unification is to be next for the multi-weight title holders.