Las Vegas. the great fight town hosts a couple of year-end treats featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in separate fights calculated as prelude to a proposed 2012 clash of the world?s finest welterweights.
There are increasing signs pointing to a smooth transition from failed negotiations to a date when the anticipated face-off is calendared.
Before the mega melee takes off as planned, Mayweather, the unbeaten headliner challenges Victor Ortiz on September 17th while pound for pound champ Manny Pacquiao battles Juan Manuel Marquez in a November 12th commitment that?s viewed as more diverting in terms of intensity than their previous struggles.
Two hostile preps will be contested at the MGM Grand Arena before promoters can pencil in a Floyd and Manny run-in assuming both fighters as expected emerge victorious.
The last time I talked to Manny was before his contract to box Marquez was completed.
Candidly, the boxing congressman tells this corner his power punches as a welterweight now has more sting than when he beat the game Marquez with a lone knockdown.
Trouble for JuanMa? That?s the prevailing view of bettors ever since posted odds continue to list Marquez as an 8-1 underdog.
Top Rank?s Bob Arum has been hell-bent going after the premium showdown but remains unsuccessful for almost three years in the running.
Will Arum pursue Manny and Floyd with more vigor; read that bigger purse to nail down the million dollar deal?
What about the other interested parties salivating to stage the prized brawl?
Are they as enthused as Arum, Oscar de la Hoya and Al Haymon? Not to forget Leonard Ellerbe before I lapse into involuntary amnesia?
A trusted source indicate agreement on a contract gets completed before the year is out.
The September 3rd launching in Manila of the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy will tell us more on how far the promoters have progressed since talks were revived on the compelling Pac-May showcase.
