Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch Arum: Hold your horses

MANILA, Philippines - Top Rank chief Bob Arum has doused cold water on a published report that Manny Pacquiao is in talks with Floyd Mayweather Jr. regarding a possible rematch.

Arum said there’s no such thing – at least for now.

“None. Zero. Not one,” the legendary promoter told Yahoo! Sports after news came out from Doha, Qatar that negotiations are on for Part 2 of the “Fight of the Century.”

Pacquiao took a whirlwind trip to Doha, spending 26 hours on the plane from Manila and back, and staying in the oil-rich nation for less than 19 hours.

The Agence France Press ran a story from Doha, suggesting that Pacquiao is in talks with Mayweather for a rematch sometime between February and April next year.

Arum had earlier said he’s currently negotiating with Amir Khan, and out of respect to the British star, he will talk to no other fighter while they’re on it.

Pacquiao also told The STAR last week that he’s aware of the talks between his promoter and his former sparring partner.

“I’m okay. I’ve spoken to Bob,” said Pacquiao.

The AFP quoted Pacquiao as saying, “I will fight anybody, anywhere. I am going to fight probably before the election. The election is coming next year, May, and before that I will probably have one fight.”

“Notice that Pacquiao did not specifically mention Mayweather’s name in that quote, though the story written by the AFP reporter says that,” Yahoo! Sports wrote.

Pacquiao also said his next fight might take place in the Middle East – whoever the opponent is.

Aside from Khan, also in the short list are Kell Brook, Terence Crawford, Victor Postol and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Arum considers Mayweather retired.

“Mayweather is retired and I take him at his word. But second, you know there is no way that Mayweather is ever going to fight in the Gulf, even if he did decide to fight again, so it’s all [expletive],” said Arum.

If indeed Pacquiao is in talks with Mayweather, then Arum certainly knows nothing about it.

“I have no idea what he’s talking about. He said it, not me. But I have had no talks with anyone about that,” said the 83-year-old promoter.

Pacquiao has announced his intention to run for the senate in the May 9 national elections although he has yet to file his candidacy.

Insiders say Pacquiao is still contemplating on whether he’d run as an independent candidate or join any other political party.

“Once he runs under a party, then automatically he becomes an opponent to the others. As an independent candidate, there’s no barrier,” said the insider.

Right now, Pacquiao is focused on his political plans, adding that the deal for his next fight should be finalized before the year ends.

Arum said Mayweaher is out of the picture.