Big Chief Bob Arum, whose Native American name is “Tells Truth On Alternate Days,” told me Tuesday morning that there is no disconnect as Team Pacquiao continues to negotiate a Super Fight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On Sunday, Pacquiao told Philstar.com that he will not back down from a demand for total parity, a 50-50 purse split, against Mayweather. The Pinoy Idol was relaxing at the Waterfront Hotel in tourist mecca, Cebu, in the Philippines with wife Jinkee and their four children.
In an ABS-CBN story out of Manila on Monday, Pacquiao reiterated his rigid stance on splitting the jumbo jackpot down the middle.]
Arum, visting the Chickasaw Nation, before heading to San Antonio for Saturday’s “Latin Fury” PPV show which headlines Irish John Duddy against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., said he is steadily reporting developments to Pacquiao.
“I spoke to (agent) Michael Koncz yesterday,” Arum said. “Manny is not bugging me. These things take time.”
Chris Farina – Top Rank Photo
I asked Arum about Mayweather rep Oscar de la Hoya’s recent remarks (Univision) about the megafight being close to the signable contract stage.
“Oscar? Oscar knows nothing about nothing,” Arum said. “He’s totally out of the loop on this. You know more about it than Oscar does.”
Money May, Money Might but will Money fight Pacman on the night of November 13? Inquiring minds want to know (Associated Press Photo)
Hmm, if Oskie and I put our heads together then, I think our combined knowledge as to the inner workings of this high stakes negotation could fill at least one tiny thimble.
Arum’s implication is clear, that only his Top Rank president-stepson Todd duBoef, Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer, Mayweather de facto manager Al Haymon and a few lawyers really know what the true dinkum positions are as to which fighter gets what.
Maybe when Arum leaves Chickasaw sovereign territory, he will be ready to smoke the peace pipe with the Mayweather side.
But, hey, don’t rush the man.
