Boxing's promotional cold war continues.
After Top Rank CEO Bob Arum's recent comments about being willing to pair Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a major super fight, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer is lobbing bombs back in Arum's direction.
"We've announced we're willing to make anything happen," Arum said earlier this week. "Now somebody's got to contact us so we can sit down and explore how it's going to happen. Isn't that the way normal people deal? You can't wave a wand. I've said unequivocally we're ready to sit down and see if a deal can be reached."
These comments were enough to anger Schaefer immensely, who stated with conviction that Arum's talk is a smokescreen to create publicity for Pacquiao.
"What does Arum think he's the godfather of boxing or something," Schaefer asked rhetorically. "Who the hell does he think he is? People have to call him or kiss his ring or kiss his a--? That's not going to happen, it's f---ing unheard of.
"And the same day you are reading on USA Today that he's willing to make a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. Not a day later or a week later, but the same day, he announces Pacquiao is going to fight on April 12th at the MGM against one of three names. All of these media members are being fooled by this idiot. They actually think he wants to put a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight together."
Schaefer said that a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao is possible, but they would present Arum with a plan that is a replica from Arum's offer to promote a Nonito Donaire-Abner Mares bout. In that offer, Golden Boy would agree to pay Pacquiao for his participation, and allow Top Rank's banners to be present, while Golden Boy and Team Mayweather handles all promotion.
"We are not looking to cut Arum out, this is not about not paying Bob," Schaefer said. "He can have his Top Rank logo on the banner, no problem. He can have a few seats, no problem. It's nothing to do with disrespecting, but if he thinks he is the driving force here, what f---ing arrogance does the guy have?"
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