by James Slater – Simply put, it’s the fight all of boxing wants to see – reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against the man who held the mythical title before him, Floyd Mayweather Junior. And, according to the 39-0(25) master who is currently getting ready to make his return against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, the fight with “Pac-Man” can happen; just so long as Pacquiao, and more so his promoter Bob Arum, stop being greedy.
According to an article that has appeared today on The Mail on line, “Money” will never agree to a 50-50 split, insisting as he does that he doesn’t have to chase any opponent, because they chase him.. Clearly, the 32-year-old’s ego demands that he be the star of the much-sought after mega-fight, and Floyd says that is the only way the fight will happen; with him getting the edge money-wise.
Interestingly, Mayweather Junior said he rates his next opponent in Juan Manuel Marquez as a better fighter than Pacquiao. Floyd claims Marquez deserved the win over Pacquiao when they fought to a draw. Also, his fight with Marquez back on now that his ribs have healed, Mayweather says he would be willing to pay the Mexican great a substantial amount of step aside money to allow him to go in with “Pac-Man” next. Now that the Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight looks to be in some doubt (see below article by Coach Tim Walker), maybe Mayweather is trying to land the November date in Las Vegas?
Mayweather said only Bob Arum’s greed is stopping the fight with Pacquiao.
“He [Arum] wants a 50-50 split and that’s never going to happen,” Floyd said. “If Bob Arum wasn’t trying to be so greedy, that fight would happen. It still is a business even if it is a sport. Marquez called me out and he deserves his shot. If Manny Pacquiao really wanted a fight with me, all he has to do is say it.
“We could pay Marquez to step aside, a million dollars, step aside. Let me know. With or without Pacquiao I’m comfortable. I don’t chase opponents, they chase me.”
Mayweather then hyped up his September 19th fight with Marquez, saying he rates the Mexican higher then he does the Filipino superstar.
“If I had to rate Marquez against Pacquiao I’d have to rate him over Manny,” Mayweather said. “For a guy who got knocked down three times in the first round (in fight-one) and come back and get a draw. We all know who really lost. And then we go to the other fight and Manny won by one point but these things happen.
“Marquez is a Mexican warrior and I know he’s going to be at his best when he comes and faces me. I’ve got to go out there and be me, be sharp and be smart.”
It will be most interesting to see if Mayweather’s offer of step aside money is taken up by Marquez. It will also be interesting to see if Pacquiao is ever going to be willing to take less than 50-percent against Mayweather to make their super-fight happen (not that he in any way has to do so).
It really would be a crying shame if Pacquiao-Mayweather were lost due to an argument over money.