MANILA, Philippines – Is Manny Pacquiao going solo when he soon flies to the United States to pursue the fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
Word going around the boxing circle is that Pacquiao is hoping to personally get in touch with Mayweather.
And he may do it himself and for himself and with no representations from Top Rank Promotions.
?We will talk. If it goes well, then we will talk about the fight,? Pacquiao told www.spin.ph recently.
Mayweather has made noise the past few days and it all had something to do with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the ring in April, and Mayweather in May. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
But neither camp has decided on the opponent.
It was reported that there?s an effort to get both fighters to talk. If true, then it?s good for boxing.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao is still the fight the world wants to see, and if it happens, it is expected to break all existing records in the sport.
The fight between the two superstars has yet to materialize despite several attempts over the last four years or so.
In January 2012, the two boxers had a brief phone conversation, and Mayweather offered Pacquiao $40 million ? all in ? to do the fight.
Pacquiao right there and then turned down the offer, saying he wanted a fair share.
Pacquiao had agreed to do random drug testing and also seemed ready to take a 40-45 percent share.
But Mayweather said he would only fight Pacquiao if Top Rank?s Bob Arum is not involved in the discussions.
After their bitter falling out, Mayweather, the undefeated American, said he would ?never do business? with Arum again in his life.
Pacquiao is tied with Top Rank until 2014, and a report hinted that if he could be a free man just for this fight then it may take place in 2014.
Another issue would involve Showtime, which carries Mayweather fights, and HBO, which airs Pacquiao fights.
Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president of Showtime, told The Telegraph that Mayweather wants to make the fight happen.
?(Mayweather) will fight Manny Pacquiao anywhere, any time. I know Floyd is not the issue,? Espinoza told The Telegraph.
?Floyd wants the fight. Unfortunately, there is a promotional conflict which is the issue,? he added.
