Yes, I was on the Friday night/Saturday morning conference call with Bob Arum (hey, I admit, I had nothing better to do) to discuss his ?deadline? to Mayweather to make the November 13th fight with Pacquiao. Well, it turns out, it wasn?t even all that much of an ultimatum but an ending of the exclusive negotiating period with him. Nothing new was really revealed; I mean, hasn?t Arum been dropping the names of Margarito and Cotto in relation to Pacquiao for about two weeks now?
Just a few thoughts on this whole snafu:
– I know some will disagree vehemently but I don?t think Floyd is ducking this fight, just delaying it. I?ve been told by more than one person, he wants to essentially perform once a year, make mega-millions and just do what he does. Kinda sorta like what Oscar De La Hoya did at the end of his career.
– I expect (and this is just a gut feeling) that Mayweather-Pacquiao will take place in 2011. Now, if Mayweather passes on it then, well, you can then draw your own conclusions about his willingness to face the Filipino superstar.
– Why was Arum so magnanimous about Floyd?s passing on this fight and so sympathetic to his plight regarding his uncle, Roger? My opinion is that Arum and Floyd have one thing in common- neither really wanted this fight for November. Arum is more than satisfied with lining up Top Rank fighters for the congressmen to face for as long as he can.
– One thing I don?t understand is the criticism of Pacquiao and Arum for scheduling a fight on November 13th, whether it was with Mayweather or not. Bottom line, they shouldn?t be held hostage by a boxer who didn?t exactly communicate his intentions that well. Pacquiao?s career plans shouldn?t hinge on what Mayweather does. He has a right to fight on (and without) Mayweather if he chooses. What was he supposed to do? Not schedule anything until Mayweather finally agreed to sign the deal?
– Speaking of that, I know Arum has said the deal was done and agreed to but can we be sure of that? But this is where hearing from Floyd in one form or another would be helpful. Maybe there were a few clauses in the contract he balked at or maybe he just doesn?t want to go through another training camp in 2010. That?s fine but don?t his fans (I really don?t care, to be honest) have some sort of right to know?
– Finally, throughout this whole process, I never talked with one insider who felt this was going to get done. I had a strong feeling this wasn?t going to happen when Arum told Yahoo! Sports? Kevin Iole and Sports Illustrated?s Chris Mannix that this deal was done- all that was needed was Floyd?s signature. That was like Donald T. Sterling releasing a statement a few weeks ago that LeBron James was a Clipper- all that was needed was his John Hancock on the dotted line.
But I have to give both Arum and Mayweather credit. Arum postured and milked this for all it was worth (just think about all us suckers, uh…I mean, scribes who were on that conference call) and Mayweather is getting more publicity out of this than if he just would?ve flat-out declined the fight.
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