Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Manny Pacquiao: Promoter Bob Arum Blamed For Stalling Fight

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight would seem to make sense on just about every level.

Both fighters are at the top of their careers, having fought and beaten just about everyone they can, leaving only each other. The fight would also be a financial record-smasher, with insiders believing it will generate more than $300 million in revenue.

But despite all the things working in its favor, the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight seems almost irreparably stalled.

Many are now pointing fingers at Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, who has been taking veiled shots at Mayweather as the negotiation process drags on.

Deadspin writer IronMikeGallego noted that Arum’s history with Mayweather may be complicating the issue. Arum was Mayweather’s promoter from the fighter’s debut until the point he became a superstar, IronMikeGallego noted, but the two had a falling out and have refused to work together since then.

The report noted that Arum’s latest statement questioning “whether Floyd really wanted to do the fight or not” is actually a tactic to put the blame and Mayweather and his camp if the fight can’t come together.

The Deadspin report noted:

With the public decidedly more apt to blame Mayweather than Pacquiao for holding up the fight, creating a false public expectation that a deal is done only serves to increase the pressure on Mayweather’s side to sign the deal quickly or risk being viewed as dodging Pacquiao (or, worse, backing out of an agreed-upon deal). Even Mayweather, who had been oddly cordial with Pacquiao of late, quickly took to social media to attack the rumors as “lies.” While Mayweather didn’t mention Arum by name, no one else has spoken out, and it’s obvious that Arum’s comments have irked the champ. Why would Arum do this?

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has also called out Bob Arum, saying that Manny Pacquiao seems to want a fight but Arum is putting a stop to it.

“I’ve been saying this for a long time, Pacquiao has no say because he fights for Top Rank Promotions. He’s not in a position to call the shots right now. He’s not the A-side. I have Mayweather Promotions, it’s my company,” Mayweather said. “He has a boss, it’s called Top Rank Promotions, not Pacquiao Promotions.

“We’re trying but its been extremely difficult. I don’t want to point the finger at Pacquiao, it’s not him, it’s his promoter.”

If Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are able to get past their differences, they may need to do it soon. In order to have a fight for the May 2 date they have circled, a deal would likely need to be in place in a matter of days.

[Lead image via London Evening Standard.]