Top Rank CEO Bob Arum just threw gasoline on a fire many thought had flamed out long ago. He said that talks between CBS/Showtime and HBO have taken place to get the ball rolling on a long-awaited fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Arum was tight-lipped about specifics, but did say that if the fight does happen, they are considering Cowboys Stadium. HBO and Showtime haven’t come together on a deal since 2002 when Lennox Lewis fought Mike Tyson.
Pacquiao has been vocal about Mayweather dodging him. Pacman said he’s ready anytime and that the fight could be worth as much as $1 billion dollars.
Will a Mayweather/Pacquiao fight ever happen?
It’s hard to know if Arum’s recent comments have any depth to them or if he’s trying to just drum up buzz for Pacquiao’s fight against Chris Aligieri (20-0) happening this weekend in Macao, China.
Algieri upset Ruslan Provodnikov in June and has fought all his bouts in the United States. To be more specific, he hasn’t had a fight outside New York in his entire professional career. Not only is he traveling to China, but he also jumped up to a catchweight of 144 pounds. Freddie Roach thinks Pacquiao will win the fight early.
Let’s assume Pacquiao beats Algieri and looks great. Mayweather’s fight pattern revolves around the Mexican holidays of Cinco De Mayo (May) and Grito de Dolores (September). Mayweather knows having a fight the weekend of those holidays increase the PPV buyrates. Pacquaio doesn’t have a schedule routine, but he does like to fight in November every year.
If Mayweather fights Pacquiao in 2015 and if they are dead-set on having the bout at Cowboys Stadium, it will need to be in May. The stadium is a little busy in September with football games. Mayweather has yet to pick an opponent for May.
Showtime has a six-fight deal with Mayweather, but this fight needs to happen soon or that billion dollar figure will not be met. Hell, at this point, they could charge $100 for the fight and people wouldn’t bat an eye. We have been waiting for it for nearly a decade. Just make it happen!
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.