One thing I’ve discovered at an early age is the fact that most people do not want the truth; people want to be fooled. Later on in life I realized it’s because truth is nowhere near as interesting as a lie; and that women have thrived on this concept for ages, while the most stubborn of men are the biggest suckers. From make-up, hair extensions and high heels, all the way down to professional wrestling and boxing promotions: poor “Homer” never had a chance. Advertisement
It’s okay. That’s why “players” and smooth talkers level the game a little bit for the honest clueless Joe. Most women end up going for the “real thing” after a few runarounds with ballers and bad boys. But who’s going to level the playing field for boxing and it’s fans?
I could’ve told you this myself. Matter fact, I did some couple of weeks back. Our colleague Snow Badua of DZSR Sports Radio 918 asked Manny Pacquiao’s legal counsel Atty. Jeng Gacal about Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum’s visit to the Philippines to hammer out what’s next for the Filipino boxing superstar, and whether a fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is in the cards for May 5th.
Gacal, who has been with Pacquiao for several years answered, “malabo yung May 5.”
Translation: “it’s hazy for May 5.”
(click here for video/audio of this interview in Tagalog)
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Gacal clarified that it’s Pacquiao who has the last say on who he fights, after Arum presents him with his options.
“Well sa susunod na laban, at sa lahat ng laban, si Manny naman ang last na nagdedesisyon. Siya namimili ng makakalaban, of course base na ren sa mga sinasangalangalang na opinions, na isinusuggest na kanya ni Bob (Arum),” Gacal said.
Translation: “Well as far as his next fight, and all his other fights, Manny is the one who has the final decision. He picks his opponents, of course, based on valued opinions and suggestions by Bob (Arum).”
Gacal did say that there is no definite opponent for Pacquiao just yet, and although hazy for May 5th on top of the uphill nature of negotiations still ahead, there is still possibility that Mayweather will be Pacquiao’s next opponent and that the Sarangani Province Representative has him on top of his priority list. Gacal emphasized that Pacquiao had requested Arum to make the Mayweather fight happen, and that if there was a way that the fight could be made, they will definitely pursue it.
“Sa ngayon actually wala pa naman. Ang tangi kong masasabi ko sa inyo ay ito: Hangga’t kayang ang maging sunod na laban ay si Floyd Mayweather ay gagawin yun. Yun din ang gusto na mangyare ni Manny. Kahit si Bob ngayon eh nasa trabaho rin siya. Gagawa siya ng paraan base sa request ni Manny […] Yun pa rin ang priority.”
Translation: “Right now, actually, there’s nobody yet. The only thing I can tell you is this: As long as there is a way to make Floyd Mayweather the next opponent, we will make it happen. That’s also what Manny wants. Even Bob right now is on his job. He will try to find a way based on Manny’s request […] That’s still the top priority.”
(click here for video/audio of this interview in Tagalog)
Mayweather conducted a press conference at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas today and told the media that he wants nobody but Pacquiao on May 5th, going as far as shooting down all the names that were dropped as plausible opponents. “Pacquiao is the only person he has in mind,” said my Examiner colleague Chris Robinson from Las Vegas, who was present at the press conference.
Pacquiao wants it. Mayweather wants it. The public is crying and dying for it. What else is stopping this fight from happening? Or is this simply a case of “Homer” being suckered all over again?
