Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Fight Should Happen, Says Bob Arum
Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum is determined to make the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. happen next year.
Arum said in an interview on Saturday night that Mayweather should have no excuses anymore after Pacquiao scored a masterful unanimous decision win against Chris Algieri in their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight.
"No excuses," Arum said via BoxingScene. "Manny knocked Algieri down six times in one fight. That's twice as many knockdowns as Mayweather has had in all his fights in the last 12 years."
Arum said boxing fans should get the fight they have been asking for over the past several years. Previous negotiations for the showdown went down after both camps failed to find a common ground.
"To answer the telephone. Simple as that," Arum said when asked about what will it take to make the super fight happen. "I think that fight should happen. I think the boxing fans deserve that fight. If boxing is to be considered a major sport, the fight has to happen and all the nonsense has to cease."
Previous reports indicated that the rivalry between HBO and Showtime will also be a huge stumbling block for the fight. Pacquiao is under HBO, and Showtime has an exclusive deal with Mayweather.
Arum revealed, though, that he has already talked to CBS head Les Moonves for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. CBS is the parent company of Showtime.
Pacquiao, who improved his record to 57-5-2 with 38 knockouts, said during the post-fight press conference that he is still open to facing Mayweather, pointing out that the unbeaten champion's camp should make the super showdown possible next year.
"The people deserve that fight. The fans deserve that fight," Pacquiao said. "It's time to make that fight happen. It's been a long time. I want that fight. They're always denying the fight. I think the fight has to happen."
Mayweather, who holds a perfect 47-0 record with 26 knockouts, recently hinted he is willing to face Pacquiao, but his camp should dictate the terms of the fight -- such as the fight purse and pay-per-view carrier.
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