Most boxing fans and media have practically given up on seeing Manny Paquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather because the American villain clearly hasn?t wanted the fight ? until now.
Something encouraging happened this week which suddenly makes Pacquaio vs. Mayweather actually seem very possible if not probable for May 2012.
Al Haymon, the advisor and chief protector of Floyd Mayweather over the years, has reached out and made contact to negotiate with Bob Arum through the mediator of the first negotiations, the retired judge Daniel Weinstein (according to columnist Jerry Izenberg?s column in the Newark Star-Ledger ? link below). Haymon said he wants to negotiate the fight again and is seeking to get Weinstein to further delay Floyd appearing in court to give his deposition in the defamation lawsuit because he fears the questioning could anger Floyd and it would provoke him to walk away (again) from making the biggest event in boxing history. According to Izenberg?s column, Floyd apparently appeared in court on Thursday.
This is very interesting because Haymon and Mayweather have, in the past, taken a stubbornly negative stance against fighting Pacquiao. This development this week by Haymon shows that progress is being made. And the enormous pressure which has built up against Floyd from so many directions ? fan and media pressure, pressure on his own pride, frustrations about being called a Duck and Coward from all angles, frustration at being ignored by major media and endorsement prospects, speculated money problem ? could be finally taking a toll on the sensitivities and soul of Mayweather.
But then again, could it be yet another smokescreen and bluff by Haymon and Mayweather to trick the public into thinking they want the fight this time? Maybe, but I don?t think so. Because Mayweather does not have any more options this time, now that we know the pay-per-view numbers from the Ortiz fight were disappointing. (Arum stated last week that Golden Boy had faked the 1.25 million figure and that he was in knowledge of the true figure ? which could only have been given to him by HBO.)
Of course, this means that HBO has apparently reached the breaking point and will no longer invest in anymore Haymon/Mayweather handpicked set-ups. Without question, HBO has been more than kind to Mayweather over the years and the network adamantly wants to make the biggest fight in boxing history. NOW.
Interestingly, I also read a quote by Oscar De La Hoya this week saying he believes the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is closer to happening than ever. This struck me because De La Hoya sounds optimistic in the quote, which is a change of dynamic in this situation which has been bogged down by negativity and deception. From my perspective, there has been a sense that De La Hoya has not been on board with Richard Schaefer in maintaining the protection of Mayweather for the past two years and that Oscar is not particularly fond of Mayweather as a person and would actually like to see him sacrificed to Pacquiao, for his own personal satisfaction. Keep in mind all the times that Mayweather has publicly praised Schaefer as being such a great promoter and that he never once directly praised Oscar for his promotional attributes. If you sensed some bad blood between Oscar and Floyd, your suspicions are merited. And this current quote by Oscar that he feels the fight is closer than ever to happening is a very good signal. Also remember that it was De La Hoya who stated over a year ago on the George Lopez TV show that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight ?has to happen, because there?s too much money involved.?
