MACAU – Manny Pacquiao is not putting any number on the Floyd Mayweather fight.
There’s no timetable, no dates, no definite figures regarding the purse or the weight. As of this time, there’s nothing.
What’s important, according to Pacquiao’s chief adviser, Mike Koncz, is to get the ball rolling and some serious talks going.
“If this fight happens, it’s because Floyd wants it to happen. It’s not going to matter what we want, it’s not going to matter what HBO wants, what (Bob) Arum wants and what (Richard) Schaefer wants,” said Koncz.
After Pacquiao demolished Chris Algieri the other day, the reigning WBO welterweight champion called on Mayweather to fight him.
Pacquiao has never been so bold in challenging Mayweather.
“The main reason is that Manny is getting tired of everybody asking him. Of course, fighting Mayweather will give him substantial money. But that’s not the driving force behind it.
“He’s an entertainer. He wants to entertain people. That’s why he wants to get that fight,” said Koncz, who had a chance to meet Mayweather a couple of times during previous talks.
Nothing came out of those talks.
“I was pleasantly surprised with his demeanor and professionalism. He’s a great guy by himself. But this time I haven’t heard anything from him. Until I hear something from Floyd, I don’t hold high hopes,” he said.
“ I don’t want to throw numbers out (purse) because that’s going to hurt the negotiations. But we’re very reasonable. We’re not expecting to take the lion’s share. If we have to give a little bit to get the fight we’ll do that,” Koncz added.
Bob Arum said he’s never been excited about the fight than he was three or four years ago.
“But we’re in no rush. I don’t want to put timetable on it,” said Koncz.
“Again, until it does come from Floyd’s mouth, I’m not too optimistic. We’ve been trying this for the past five or six years in putting this fight together,” he said.
Lastly, Pacquiao’s ring adviser said it’s not the Filipino who needs the fight.
Pacquiao, he said, has already proven his greatness as the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes.
“Do we have to fight Floyd to cement Manny’s legacy? Absolutely not,” said Koncz.