“Fights like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao are significant because of these fighters’ ability to connect with sports fans around the world.
“It’s unfortunate that it won’t happen in 2010.
“I had been negotiating with a representative from each side since May 2, carefully trying to put the fight together. Hopefully, someday this fight will happen. Sports fans deserve it.”
That is, verbatim, the email sent by HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg to The Los Angeles Times.
My own headline for this important communique would be as follows:
LIAR, LIAR, TEAM MAYWEATHER’S PANTS ON FIRE!
But Greenburg’s response to reporter Lance Pugmire does not go far enough to eliminate many still unanswered questions.
J’accuse: His credibility was questioned by Mayweather spokesman Leonard Ellerbe on Mayweather-Pacquiao fight negotiations and the substance or lack thereof, now HBO Sports bossman Ross Greenburg has fired back (Zimbio.com)
(Interersting to note that Golden Boy’s Richie Rich Schaefer sniffed when told of the Greenburg email which more or less backs Bob Arum’s constant assertions that terms and conditions were put on the table by the Manny Pacquiao side.
Schaefer further moaned about Greenburg’s statement just a few days away from the Golden Boy/HBO less than scintillating Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz rematch PPV card in Las Vegas.
What’s that got to do with price of tea in China, pal?
What Schaefer is really saying is that he wished Greenburg kept his mouth or his computer shut.
If you think this is a further sign of a disrupture in the Favorite on treatment of GBP by HB, you could be deadly accurate.)
Too bad Greenburg was not more explicit, too bad he did not reveal whether there ever was any sort of substantive response from Al Haymon/Team Mayweather on any or all of the Pacman camp’s demands.
It could be, though, that they’re all playing us for saps because they know the third time will be a charm and that Mayweather dare not turn down a Pacquiao bout for May of 2011.
Last but not least is the fact that Herr Schaefer has yet to explain why he kept spouting off about folllowing ?a gag order? if there was nothing for him to remain silent about.
From all the evidence I see, RR loves the sound of his own voice, not as much as Arum likes his own voice, but certainly RR is no shy wallflower.
And the soap opera rolls on…
I keep thinking Greenburg’s key phrase is “in 2010,” at least I hope so.
