I recently read an interview that Alex Ariza did with Ben Thompson over at FightHype.com. Ariza BLASTED Top Rank head Bob Arum, accusing him of preventing the big fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather from happening. Guess what? I agree with Ariza 100 percent. This is a subject that I have written about numerous times both here on 8CN and on my Examiner page.
The recent Top Rank signing of Timothy Bradley is just one more indicator that what Ariza says is true. Arum continues to force feed Manny Pacquiao nothing but Top Rank opponents. Arum knows that by continuing to feed Pacquiao Top Rank guys, he maximizes his earnings ten fold. Ariza makes a great point, if Pacquiao were to fight Mayweather next, and loses, a fight Vs. Marquez is still very much doable. If Pacquiao fights Marquez next and loses, the fight Vs. Mayweather is shot, so why not go after Mayweather next? If Arum TRULY wanted to make the fights that the fans want to see, then Mayweather is the only fight that makes sense as Pacquiao’s next opponent.
I also agree with Ariza that Floyd wants to fight Manny as bad as Manny wants to fight Floyd. All of these ridiculous charges that Mayweather is scared to fight Pacquiao are nonsense. Arum sits back and collects millions and millions of dollars all the while the fans get screwed out of the biggest fight in decades.
Freddie Roach has told me several times that he wants Mayweather next for Pacquiao and Manny himself has told me this in the past as well. Roach made it clear in my last interview with him that he nor Manny decide who is next, however, read between the lines, they both (Manny and Freddie) want Mayweather next.
Pacquiao recently squared up against Marquez in what was once again a close contest. This was the third time that these two have fought, and honestly? A 4th contest between the two is not what the fans want to see. The signing of Tim Bradley gives Arum one more guy to put in front of Pacquiao instead of Floyd Mayweather.
Arum knows that Floyd Mayweather brings bargaining power to the table, and that means he (Arum) can’t dictate and control all of the money. It’s all about greed and that greed is destroying the sport of boxing.
