Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum bared yesterday that rival network giants HBO and Showtime have found a way to equally distribute a proposed Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather super fight in 2015 and the Top Rank chief insists the ball is in the hands of Mayweather.
?The networks have agreed to distribute the fight,? Arum said from his Las Vegas home days after Mayweather made mention of a possible Pacquiao fight next year.
Even though HBO, which handles Pacquiao?s TV appearance and Showtime, which shows Mayweather?s, have shown that they can work together for the sake of putting up the fight the world is dying to see, Arum remains unconvinced the US fighter is serious.
?He?s just making some noise,? Arum, 82, said, sounding unimpressed over Mayweather?s recent statements.
Arum?s pessimism is based on Mayweather?s insinuation that he gets to call the shots if and when a fight with Pacquiao is made.
?No one calls the shots,? an incensed Arum said, hinting that every party has to bend a little for the fight to come into fruition.
Even Pacquiao, who has jumpstarted his training for a Nov. 22 clash with undefeated Chris Algieri in Macau, is not as thrilled as the casual boxing fan.
?I?ve always been willing to face him and I just hope that he keeps his word that he really wants to fight me,? said Pacquiao.
Getting HBO and Showtime on the same table won?t be a problem as they?ve shared centerstage before when Lennox Lewis (HBO) and Mike Tyson (Showtime) faced each other in June 2002 in Memphis.
Assuming the dream fight becomes a reality, both fighters are not only expected to earn the biggest purses of their respective careers but their match will surpass attendance, ticket and pay-per-view records.
But Arum, like Pacquiao, is unmoved and is not even thinking of popping a champagne bottle.
