GBP executive denies $65-M Pacman offer

MANILA, Philippines -  Rumors of the world’s richest man offering Manny Pacquiao $65 million to fight in Mexico will remain as that – rumors.

This after Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Shaefer, in a report by Ring Magazine’s Michael Rosenthal, claimed to have spoken directly with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, who denied offering such a deal to Pacquiao.

“I have a nice relationship with the Slim people and I talked directly to Mr. Slim. It’s not true,” Schaefer told Rosenthal.

The GBP chief’s statement came a few days after reports on Slim allegedly dangling a $65 million purse on Pacquiao to fight in Mexico appeared over the Internet.

The reports named former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, a close associate of Pacquiao, as the source of the news.

Slim, currently the world’s richest man with a total net worth of at least $70 billion, is reported to be a major boxing patron, having supported the Mexico-based World Boxing Council.

Under the purported deal, Pacquiao will face rising prospect Saul Alvarez (36-0-1), who is fighting under the GBP banner.

The Filipino icon is booked to face Juan Manuel Marquez in November.

Reports of Slim’s alleged fight offer to Pacquiao is the latest concerning the WBO welterweight champion. Just last week, Top Rank chief Bob Arum claimed that Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned down $65 million to face Pacquiao.

“The offer came from legitimate people in Singapore. Mayweather turned it down,” Arum told in an interview with videographer Elie Sechbach.

In a separate report by examiner.com, sources from GBP said Mayweather will make a comeback fight against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, site of Pacquiao’s fights against Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.

The undefeated Mayweather has not fought since outpointing Shane Mosley in May 2009.– Dino Maragay/Contributor