MANILA, Philippines – Now that Manny Pacquiao is reportedly negotiating a contract extension with his current promoter Top Rank Inc., will that be an impediment to making a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
It should not be, according Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz.
Koncz, who’s currently in talks with Top Rank chief Bob Arum about Pacquiao re-signing with the promotional company, said the Filipino’s affiliation with Arum has nothing to do with Mayweather’s disinterest in facing him.
"I don't believe Floyd not fighting us has to do with Bob," Koncz said in a report by ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael. "Why did he wait until he exhausted all other excuses before saying he wouldn't fight Manny if Bob was involved?
It’s been years since Mayweather and Pacquiao tried to arrange a showdown that could go down as the richest fight ever, but nothing came of those talks. In the ESPN.com report, Koncz recalled Mayweather’s supposed excuses for the failed negotiations.
“First he [Mayweather] brought up the drug testing. Then he wanted Manny to sign with him. Then he wanted to pay Manny only a flat fee of $40 million for the fight instead of sharing a percentage [of the revenue],†he narrated.
“And now he can't fight Manny because Bob would be involved?†Koncz continued. "Why did he wait so long to bring that up? If that's true, why not use that excuse a few years ago?"
RELATED STORY: Pacquiao, Arum discuss contract extension
Mayweather is scheduled to face Marcos Maidana this Sunday, his third of a massive six-fight deal with broadcaster Showtime. Most fans and some boxing observers have not given up on a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, hoping Mayweather eventually agrees to face the fighting congressman.
But the undefeated American has stressed before that a fight between him and Pacquiao won’t happen as long as the Filipino is associated with Arum.
And with Pacquiao looking to stick with Top Rank, chances of Mayweather agreeing to meet him atop the ring remain slim.
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