The clock has struck midnight, the deadline has passed, but what’s the decision? With no reply from Floyd Mayweather, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum says that Manny Pacquiao will now shift his focus to a potential bout with Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito. Get more updates from Bob Arum’s conference call as he talks about what happened with the Mayweather negotiations, Manny Pacquiao’s next move, and more.
BOB ARUM BEGINS THE CONFERENCE CALL
Bob Arum is discussing what happened with the negotiation process.
He says he’s been speaking directly with Ross Greenburg.
Ross Greenburg took Pacquiao’s final terms to Al Haymon.
“Strictly to Ross Greenburg.”
Arum says Richard Schaefer was not involved.
He says he was getting positive feedback from Ross Greenburg that both sides were close.
Next week, Arum will begin discussions with both Cotto and Margarito for a fight with Pacquiao.
Arum says that Floyd still has an opportunity to make the fight if he agrees before a contract is signed with one of the other fighters.
Arum says Ross Greenburg
“The problem was that Floyd, for whatever reason, and I’m sure he has a valid one, did not commit.”
Arum says they have never talked to anybody on the Mayweather side and that all conversations were with Ross Greenburg and Greenburg would report to Arum all the conversations they had with Al Haymon.
Arum is under the impression, based on conversations with Ross Greenburg, that Mayweather simply doesn’t want to fight this year.
Again, Arum emphasizes that he did not speak directly with anyone from the Mayweather side.
“I am sure that there is a very, very good reason that Floyd Mayweather has with not committing to the fight,” Arum would politely stress.
Arum speculates on some of the reasons…
He mentions the issues with Roger Mayweather.
Arum says the reason why he had to have the deadline now is because he’s dealing with a Congressman in Pacquiao now, so his time is limited.
Arum says he’s going to talk to Manny and whoever he selects, that’s who he’s going to fight. That decision will come in 10 days.
“I don’t blame Haymon…I think Haymon really tried to put the fight together.”
“Schaefer’s name was never really mentioned by Ross. It was all Al Haymon.”
Arum refused to get into the details of the drug testing. He did not confirm if it was a 14-day cutoff or testing leading up to the fight.
“I don’t think any of you guys should be too harsh on Floyd.”
Arum again points to Roger Mayweather’s legal issues.
“I can understand Floyd delaying any plans for a future fight until there’s a resolution.”
Arum says he got no response from Greenburg.
Margarito fight would take place in Monterey, Mexico or MGM Grand.
Cotto fight would take place at Cowboys Stadium or MGM Grand.
Arum says Tim Bradley wouldn’t be a possibility because the public doesn’t know him.
Arum taking shots at “other promoters” or “free riders” as he calls them.
Arums says the same for Paul Williams…that he doesn’t have any following and he doesn’t sell any tickets.
Again, Arum says boxing fans are going to be upset, but they have to cut Mayweather some slack because of the legal problems that his uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather is going through. “People should be understanding. Floyd Mayweather is not saying that he’s not going to fight him…there’s always next year. It’s something that is bad for the Mayweather family, if we have to understand it,” Arum stated.
