Whether we like it or nor, whether we are at all excited about it or not, it does seem as though superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jnr will fight again. Or at least there is a very good chance of a rematch taking place. In terms of percentages, Top Rank boss Bob Arum told ESPN.com that he believes there is a “75-percent chance” the two will fight each other again.
Arum confirmed to ESPN.com that Pacquiao – who looked very good indeed in taking Jessie Vargas’ WBO welterweight title this past Saturday in Las Vegas – will “definitely” fight again in the spring. The spring opponent is still to be determined, and Arum says the likes of Terence Crawford and Vasyl Lomachenko are possibilities. But that huge money return with Mayweather seems to be the fight most people are talking about.
“Floyd came to the fight (on Saturday night) and he was very friendly with Todd [duBoef] and some of our staff,” Arum said. “Now, that doesn’t mean the fight will happen, but if it does, it won’t take a long time to make because the animosity that was there before the first fight is gone. There’s no more animosity between the camps. Like everyone else, I’m guessing there will be a rematch. He did come to the fight. I give it 75 percent.”
It seems the ball is firmly in Mayweather’c court. Basically, if “Money” decides to come back to earn a big pile of money to add to the millions he already has, the fight will happen. It’s no secret Manny and his trainer Freddie Roach want it (Roach is convinced a “fully healthy” Pac-Man eats Mayweather up) so it’s now up to Floyd. It seems we fans have no real say in the fight happening or not. But going by the comments left on the various forums, fans are hardly at fever pitch for a sequel. Let’s face it, fight-one last May, was one big dud. Why would we want to see it again?
The only selling point a return fight could have is one that tells us how Pacquiao, who fought with an injured shoulder the first time and was unable to fight at his hardest and at his best, would be coming all guns blazing this time round. But would fight fans be willing to risk parting with around $70 to see the rematch on pay-per-view?
With other, more intriguing fights out there for Pac-Man, maybe it would be better if Mayweaher either stayed retired or shopped around for a different “comeback” opponent. Basing things on Pacquiao’s showing against Vargas, does anyone really think the Filipino idol would be able to solve the Mayweather puzzle in a rematch?