MANILA, Philippines ? Top Rank Inc.?s Bob Arum is relieved that the super fight everyone is talking about is finally pushing through.
Not only did he close the deal for his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao, he also finally put to a stop the incessant questions from fight fans asking about it.
?Every restaurant I went into, every place I went, ?Is the fight gonna happen?’ ‘When it’s gonna happen?’ But now I don’t get the question anymore,? the 83-year-old promoter told ABS-CBN?s Dyan Castillejo.
?It was a tough negotiation, a lot of tougher that I thought it would be, but we put it together. The whole world is stopping for this fight. They’ve never seen anything like it,? he added.
Now that Arum did his part, Pacquiao will have to do his by making sure he is thoroughly prepared come fight night.
The Top Rank CEO said he will be visiting the fabled Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles to check on the progress of the eight-division champion.
?I have a house in LA. I expect to spend a number of days watching Manny train at the Wild Card,? Arum said.
The promoter believes Pacquiao is fully capable of beating ?Money May,? noting that the outspoken boxer is showing signs of slowing down.
?I think Manny is better than Floyd at this point in time. I think he’s faster. He throws more punches than Mayweather. And he’s really hungry to win the fight,? he said.
Although Arum prefers the fight to end by knockout, he said he isn?t worried about Pacquiao getting robbed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. For one, he pointed out that both boxers will have a say on the selection of the fight judges to ensure fairness in officiating.
?Judges will be fair, both sides. Manny and Mayweather will vet the judges and I’m sure we’re going to get competent guys to judge the fight,? he said.
According to Arum, ticket prices will start at $1,000, with those at ringside fetching $5,000 each.
?The tickets are going to be the hottest tickets in the history of boxing,? said Arum. ?We have a third of the tickets, MGM has a third and Mayweather has a third. We have a long, long list of people who wanted the tickets.?
These days, he said, fight fans are asking him a different question.
?Now I get asked the question ‘Can I buy tickets for the fight?’? he said.
