Jul 02 2010
Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight is On; Holyfield Goes for Pacquiao
The fight everybody is dreaming of is now becoming a reality. According to boxing promoter Bob Arum, the negotiations between Mayweather’s team and the Pacquiao team were already finalized. The squabble on the sharing of the fight purse was already ironed out including the issue on the Olympic style blood testing. According to some online sources, the Mayweather camp already agreed on the 50-50 percent sharing. “That’s all been resolved. I am not going to talk about the specifics of the negotiations,” said Arum. Arum, who initiated the talks between the two camps, said that the proposal was already sent to Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his final approval. If Floyd will not make new demands, then the fight of the century will happen before the end of this year.
The Top Rank chief also disclosed that the initial date for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight will be on November 13 this year. This will be held in Las Vegas Nevada. However, previous interviews with Floyd shows that he want to take a break from boxing after his win against Shane Mosley. If Floyd doesn’t want to fight on November, boxing fans should not lose hope because there is another suggestion in the proposal that the fight could be postponed next year if Floyd Mayweather refused to fight in November. Arum said that the fight will depend on Floyd. “The question is whether Mayweather is willing to go into the ring this year. It’s up to him. His people would love him to do it. He may not want to do it. If Mayweather wants to fight in November, I believe the fight will be made,” Arum told the media.
The boxing promoter assured the public that there are no more problems with the negotiations. “There are no real issues that I can see, except whether he wants to fight now or later or not at all,” said Arum during an interview. The Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Mayweather in the negotiation, declined to give comment on the pronouncement of Arum. But his silence means a positive thing for most boxing fans. There has been a long debate on who is more powerful between these two great fighters. The question of who is the real user of steroids becomes a word war in most online discussions. But whether they are pro-Mayweather or pro-Pacquaio, the only thing that they want is to see these boxers fight in the ring.
Coach Freddie Roach said in an interview that he is optimistic that the fight will proceed as planned. “We obviously want Mayweather. He has a big mouth and we’re going to shut him up,” Roach said. The Pacquaio camp gave Floyd Mayweather Jr. a two-week deadline to accept the deal. Manny Pacquiao can have a rematch with Miguel Cotto or fight Antonio Margarito if Floyd declines the proposal.
Meanwhile, Evander Holyfield the holder of the most world title in the heavyweight division, shares his predictions for the Mayweather-Pacquaio fight. First, he believes that the fight will materialize because of the possible earnings that both fighters will get. “With the kind of payday, it’s impossible for this fight not to happen,” Holyfield told Brad Cooney of 8CountsNews. “After you become great in boxing, what is the next point? There is no other purpose after you become great in boxing other than to make money,” Holyfield added.
He admired both fighters for the great skills they have developed in their boxing career. However, Holyfield noted that the man who will win in this fight is the one who has the heart. “Pacquiao has skills, and he has heart. On paper, you always give it to Mayweather, but on personal ability and in a guy that fights through and through, you would say Pacquiao,” he said.
Holyfield opined that the Mayweathers should stop their steroids allegations against Pacquaio which are unfounded. “Either you’re going to fight him or not. Why bring that steroid thing up? Either sit on the pot, or get off of the pot,” he said. The steroid testing should be handled by the commission (like the NSAC) and should not be a concern of the athlete. “If Manny is on something, they will catch him, but Mayweather should not make up the rules. Either fight the guy, or don’t,” Holyfield added.
During the first round of negotiations, the pressure was on Pacquaio whether he will subject himself to the Olympic style blood testing asked by Floyd. Now that Manny agreed on the terms, the mega fight is now in the hands of Floyd. This time, Floyd will have two options. Prove that he is a real boxer or a coward who don’t want to lose.
