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Philippines, 28 Feb 2015 |
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PACQUIAO’S OFFER TO FIGHT MAYWEATHER JR FOR CHARITY, WINS ADMIRATION OF ARUM By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 23 Jan 2014  “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao’s offer to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr “anytime, anywhere” with all proceeds going to worldwide charities has won the admiration of the premier boxing promoter in the world, Top Rank’s Bob Arum. Arum told the Manila Standard that Pacquiao’s unprecedented offer was “an incredible statement for the sport of boxing” and it had his full support. While the astute promoter did concede that “money is important” he believed that Pacquiao’s offer was a major boost for the sport of boxing. While there has been no reaction as yet from Mayweather, Arum suggested that should Mayweather accept the offer then representatives nominated by US president Barack Obama and Philippine president Benigno Aquino III the funds “could be distributed by their representatives.” Pacquiao had earlier scoffed at the claim that he was only looking to fight Mayweather for the money and said he is "willing to fight for charity" and that depending on Mayweather's response fans will know who is willing to fight and who is not. Pacquiao said “let's see what his answer will be since he claimed I was desperate for money and I am willing to fight for nothing." Pacquiao expressed confidence that his offer to Mayweather should not be a problem for the promoters of both himself and Mayweather. Pacquiao has also emphasized he is “ready to submit to any kind of stringent drug testing and challenged the undefeated American to sign a contract which will state that gate receipts, PPV and endorsements as well as their guaranteed purses would be donated to charities around the world. Meantime both Arum and Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz have told the Standard that while they are talking to the handlers of WBO welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley about a possible rematch with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, nothing has been finalized as yet. Koncz informed the Standard that he is scheduled to return to Manila on Sunday and emphasized “Manny and I have not finished our negotiations yet.” Koncz made the statement in response to reports quoting sources that the choice is WBO welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley who won a widely criticized split decision win over Pacquiao in June 2012 in Las Vegas. Arum himself told us that while Bradley appears to be the front-runner he strongly downplayed reports that a deal had been made. Arum clarified that they were “working on the details” with Bradley’s handlers but that until we “get everything finalized, nothing is sure.” However, he conceded that while they are “working on some questions” he was optimistic that the fight would eventually take place but added that there are no guarantees. Pacquiao is coming off a spectacular unanimous twelve round domination of former world lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios on November 24 in Macau, China after losing by a 6th round knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8, 2012. On the other hand has won his last two fights to keep his unbeaten record of 31-0 with 12 knockouts. Despite being knocked down by rugged Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in the twelfth round of their title fight, Bradley outboxed Provodnikov overall to win a unanimous decision after earlier winning a split decision victory over Marquez. Should the negotiations with Bradley breakdown, Provodnikov who is a former sparring partner of Pacquiao remains an option. The Russian dropped Mike “Mile High” Alvarado twice before he won by a 10th round TKO to capture the WBO light welterweight title. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz. Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles: |
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