Manny Pacquiao was shafted by Judges on June 9th in a controversial decision against Timothy Bradley, later to be reviewed and proven that Manny won the fight.
But he’s behind that match-up now. Manny has told Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum that he wants Floyd Mayweather next in the ring. “Obviously, the one fight that he (Pacquiao) wants is (Floyd) Mayweather. That’s the guy he wants to fight,” Arum told the Manila Standard after dinner with Pacquiao at the promoter’s home.
Although Pacman may want Mayweather now, it’s likely not going to happen until next year. Manny’s next fight should be taking place in November, and many have already slated a rematch with Timothy Bradley. Nothing is official with the rematch yet, so other names like Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto have been thrown around as well.
Mayweather is currently serving a three month jail sentence for domestic violence, and has claimed that being locked in a cell for 23 hours a day with scarce food is deteriorating his body and that has been taken into effect by Bob Arum, recognizing that there wouldn’t be enough time this year to make the fight happen.
But Arum has raised the possibility of two meetings between Pacquiao and Mayweather during 2013 after Pacman told him to make it happen. Arum also said that Pacman understands the logistics of the fight not happening this year due to the fact that his next fight is due in November and Mayweather would simply not be ready.
Pacquiao and Mayweather held discussions earlier this year about making the event happen, they even went as far as a direct conversation, but no deal was reached after the two parties couldn’t come to terms on distribution of pay-per-view cash.
Don Jose Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council, promised to help in the effort to get a megabuck fight between Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. done.
Upon learning that Pacquiao wants a fight against Mayweather, the WBC president told the Manila Standard: “Take it for sure that I will do my best as this is the top fight the world wants to see.”
I for one can’t wait for this fight to happen. It’s been called for far too long and whatever happens in November shouldn’t stop this fight from happening. The fighter of the decade sure has made it known what he wants, and hopefully his patience pays off. As for a rematch with Bradley in November, I wouldn’t mind that for the time being. Manny got robbed, and I’d like to see him get his belt back, this time though, with some legit judges.
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OCNN Sports Columnist – Justin Arbogast @NFLGuy_SK
