?For the MGM to think that everything is resolved, when nobody has even discussed terms, is the most insane thing ever??
Considering how long it took the superfight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to get made, things have gone swimmingly since then.
People with no interest in boxing are obsessed with this fight. Ticket prices are through the roof. Las Vegas hotels are raking in the bucks. And pay-per-view will top $100, allowing for taxes, fees, and incidental expenses.
It appears that all systems are go, but appearances, like the reckless fears of boxing promoters, can be deceiving.
For example, Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, is raising the red flag. He says that Mayweather-Pacquiao may not happen on May 2 as planned. It?s not that Floyd is scared or Manny is praying or that Freddie Roach and Mayweather Sr. have exhausted outrageous things to say.
It?s that there?s no contract between the promoters and MGM, which is hosting the fight in Vegas.
?Fight? We?ve got nothing,? Arum told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. ?They?re (the MGM) going around saying, ?The fight, the fight, blah, blah, blah,? but they got nothing. They have no contract. Nothing. We haven?t even seen a draft? What is happening now is absolutely intolerable. For the MGM to think that everything is resolved and so forth, when nobody has even discussed terms, is the most insane thing ever.?
Insanity thy name is boxing, but that?s no excuse.
Among Arum?s concerns are ticket allocation and how many rooms the MGM has set aside for Team Pacquiao. His outbursts may be par for the course, which doesn?t mean his concerns aren?t legitimate.
When Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, was asked by Iole if Arum was off his rocker, he said, ?This is typical Bob. He has in his possession a draft term sheet with all the deal points. I have been in communication with him and have updated him every step along the way on what is going on and getting his feedback.?
According to Ellerbe, Arum is pissed because he?s not running the show.
?I think he?s a terrific promoter,? Ellerbe said, ?and I want you to write that, if you will. He is without a doubt, a great promoter. But he?s also known for erupting when he doesn?t get his way and the reality is setting in that he?s not the lead promoter.?
There?s too much at stake for this fight to go down in flames. If necessary, Manny can room with Tim Tebow and Floyd can bunk with Justin Bieber. Where there?s a will there?s way. And besides, as everyone knows, there?s no such thing as stopping a tsunami.
