MANILA, Philippines ? Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) President Oscar de la Hoya disclosed that the much requested clash between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. could take place in the first quarter of 2011.
?We feel that early next year, first quarter of next year, we are optimistic it will happen. It has to happen,? de la Hoya told BroadCasting Cable as quoted by BoxingScene.com.
?My philosophy is Mayweather just fought two or three months ago. Floyd is saying, ?I just made $65 million to $70 million in two fights. Why am I going to rush to fight again; why should I be pushed? I will fight when I want,?? he stated.
The former champion boxer added that he feels Mayweather will not walk away from the Pacquiao challenge because of the enormous amount of money involved.
The superstar boxers might have received up to $40 million each in fight revenues if their fight pushed through on March 13 or November 13.
?Floyd knows it’s the biggest fight out there, and they don’t call him ?Money Mayweather? for nothing,? stated de la Hoya.
Mayweather is represented by GBP while Pacquiao is promoted by Bob Arum?s Top Rank, Inc.
The American fighter has been plagued with larceny and domestic battery charges of late while the Filipino fighter-turned-congressman is currently training for his November 13 bout against Mexican Antonio Margarito.
Floyd?s fear
De la Hoya, meantime, also commented on criticisms saying that Mayweather is afraid to suffer his first career loss at the hands of Pacquiao.
?He probably does have fear in losing. He does have fear in having that one loss, and probably thinks people will not accept him anymore,? he said.
Despite such ?fear,? de la Hoya believes that the American will maintain his winning run in the ring.
?All the experts know that Floyd will outbox [Pacquiao], probably easily. Styles make fights, and Floyd is a special fighter inside the ring. Outside the ring is a whole other story,? he said.
In June, GBP claimed that de la Hoya was misquoted on his comment that the Pacquiao-Mayweather bout was almost a done deal.
De la Hoya reportedly told Spanish broadcasting network Univision that the ?once complicated? contracts were very close to be being finalized. ? With a report from Mark Vester, BoxingScene.com
