MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank chief Bob Arum is no longer optimistic about a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. now that the Filipino icon is bound for the Philippine senate.
Speaking to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Arum said he’s aware of Pacquiao’s impending victory, with the Sarangani congressman now at seventh place in the senatorial race with at least 15.4 million votes.
"I texted him congratulating him," said Arum, adding that he will personally talk to Pacquiao soon.
The veteran promoter said he realizes the additional obligations Pacquiao will face as senator, effectively removing boxing out of his schedule.
"I'll talk to him when I get there, because it will be easier being in the same time zone. But my feeling is that he's been elected to a very, very important position in the Filipino government. So he owes an obligation to the people to work on his government responsibilities, and that doesn't give him time to screw around and train for a fight the way he has to. You can't do that,” Arum continued.
"Being a congressman is one thing. There are like 400-plus congressmen, so if he does his job for his constituency, he can take time off and train for a fight. But now he's been elected to nationwide office, and he has no specific constituency. The entire people of the Philippines are his constituents, and he owes an obligation to them to handle business."
Pacquiao fought and defeated Timothy Bradley last month before announcing his retirement to concentrate on politics. Nevertheless, speculations about a comeback continue to swirl, especially now that Mayweather himself is reportedly on the verge of fighting again.
The two superstars figured in the sport’s richest fight that earned them record-high purses, something impossible to repeat against other opponents.
So is Mayweather-Pacquiao still possible?
"I don't think so," Arum said. "My mindset is that it's over. When it's over, it's over. People say fighters always change their minds, but this is a different situation. If a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard retires and two months later decides to come back because he's bored, he can do that. Manny can't do that, because he has plenty to do and an important job.
"Not only does he have an extraordinarily time-consuming job, Manny has to take time to learn how to do it and how to work day to day with the 23 other members of the senate." – Dino Maragay