(ThyBlackMan.com) For almost four years there has been talk of Floyd “Money” Mayweather taking on Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in what many believe would be the richest prizefight ever in the history of boxing. During the initial negotiations, the Mayweather camp called for random “Olympic Style Drug Testing” for “Performance Enhancing Drugs” (PEDS). The Pacquiao camp countered with three drug test at specified times. This caused the negotiations to implode and both fighters took other bouts. Manny Paqcuiao started a lawsuit because the Mayweathers accused Pacquiao of using PEDS. The lawsuit was settled out of court. As time went on momentum continued to build for the fight.
With a proposed $100,000,000 (US) on the table, Manny Pacquiao eventually agreed to the Olympic style testing but Pacquiao’s Promoter, Bob Arum, wanted financial parity (50-50 split of all proceeds from the fight) with the Mayweather camp. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s camp countered with a flat rate purse of $40,000,000 ($20,000,000 down payment and another $20,000,000 on fight night). Bob Arum refused. All the while in between at least 3 failed negotiations to bring these two fighters together in a mega fight, each fighter has had a total of 8 fights. Starting with Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fight with Juan Manuel Marquez until his last fight with Canelo Alvarez, he has been a perfect 8-0 (Overall 45-0, 26KO’s). Pacquiao is 55-5-2, 38 KOs.
In his last 8 fights he has been 6-2 with one KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez and a controversial decision loss to Timothy Bradley. Many observers including this writer thought Manny Pacquiao clearly won against Bradley. Back on November 23, 2013 Pacquiao defeated the capable Brandon Rios by unanimous decision clearly showing the world he was far from done with boxing. There is now a renewed interest in a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. Guess what folks? It aint gonna happen anytime soon! Why? Before, those of us with inside sources in the boxing world knew Promoter Bob Arum did not
want to risk his current “goose that lays the golden eggs”, Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao wanted the Mayweather fight, but Arum didn’t.
Unlike his two other “gooses” (De La Hoya and Mayweather) that have flown from the Top Rank Coup for good, Manny Pacquiao is loyal and has re-signed with Top Rank when he could have become a free agent and started his own promotional company much like De La Hoya and Mayweather. Now with the resurgence of Pacquiao, look for him to rematch with Bradley or Juan Manuel Marquez and continue making millions for Top Rank. Arum will put out press releases that he is willing to negotiate with the Floyd Mayweather Jr. camp, but it’s all damage control so when Pacquiao is signed to fight another Top Rank opponent he can say that it’s not his fault the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight isn’t made.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the other hand has more wanted the Pacquiao fight, then not wanted it. Meaning if he were to fight Manny Pacquiao, it would be on his terms and his terms alone. But something happened along the way that is worse than Bob Arum’s interference. Floyd Mayweather Jr. defected from HBO and signed a $200,000,000 contract with Showtime. Potentially the richest sports contract to an individual ever. He made $32,000,000 when he fought Robert Guerrero. Not including PPV foreign TV, etc. He Made $41,500,000 for Canelo, not including PPV sales, foreign TV, etc. In just two fights he has earned a base $72,000,000 not including PPV, closed circuit TV, foreign TV sales, merchandise, food sold in arena, etc.
He has approximately $126,000,000 base give or take (if you start with the $200,000,000 he originally signed for ) left in his contract for 4 more fights, not including PPV, foreign TV, etc. which could earn him substantially more money. The goal of the Mayweather camp is to earn the entire $200,000,000 plus on the contract. It’s just good business. Floyd Mayweather Jr. will benefit the most, but his business advisers, trainers, publicist, staff, and “hanger ons” all will benefit financially as well. Why risk that with a Pacquiao fight anytime soon? For those that are tired of hearing Mayweather-Pacquiao don’t get your hopes high that Mayweather next three opponent would be fighters like Erislandy Lara, Gennady Golovokin or Sergio Martinez all of which would fight Mayweather at 154lbs in a heartbeat. These are the best opponents in the World for Floyd Mayweather Jr. who currently is a 154lb champion. Mayweather fought the best fighter in the world at junior lightweight and lightweight.
Fighters like the late Gennaro Hernandez, the late Diego Corrales, and Jose Luis Castillo whom he officially beat twice. The first win against Castillo is debatable. At the rate Mayweather has been currently fighting (twice a year somewhere between September to November and then in May), we may see him finally fight Manny Pacquiao in October 2015 if the public is still interested. Why 2015? At that point if he is still undefeated and MannyPacquiao has not lost again, then it would make sense. Mayweather will be 38 and Pacquiao would be 36. Mayweather would have little to lose because it would be the last fight on his $200,000,000 contract.
The real risk would be his perfect record and his health. So if he defeats Amir Kahn in May 2014, as is rumored to be his next opponent. He will likely fight in October 2014 most likely the winner of Malignaggi-Judah. That’s right, Malignaggi or Judah! Why else has Golden Boy Promotions signed these fighters? They are potential opponents for Floyd Mayweather Jr. Then in May 2015 he will likely fight Danny Garcia because they need a Latino opponent for Cinqo de Mayo. Provided Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still undefeated by beating his next three opponents and if the public is still interested, a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao would make financial sense. Both fighters would no doubt be past their prime years. It would appear that sometime around October 2015 would be the best for a Mayeather-Pacquiao to have the best chances of being made.
Staff Writer; Ralph Rimpell
Can contact this talented boxing fan at; bernardrn99@aol.com.