No matter what comments are made to the contrary, the specter of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight persists. The WBC has made a move that appears to be an effort to push the two into the ring together--making Manny Pacquiao the No. 1 contender for Floyd's WBC belt.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman has announced Pacman as the top contender, meaning Mayweather can either fight him or vacate the championship. Chris Williams of Boxing News 24 wrote, "It looks like the WBC is trying to set it up to where Mayweather will have to fight Pacquiao if he wants to keep the WBC 147 lb. title. By pushing Pacquiao to the top spot, it's going to give Mayweather a choice - either to fight Pacquiao or vacate the WBC's 147 lb. title."
Mayweather works with Golden Boy Promotions and Showtime, while Pacquiao fights for Top Rank and has his fights televised on HBO. The two promotions have instigated a boxing cold war, and rarely work together to co-promote bouts, even if they can generate big money. Arum said this particular matchup could make up to $300 million.
"There needs to be a big meeting, a summit, involving all the players: "Everybody would have to meet. Talk about an incredible summit. When Lewis and Tyson fought that took the cooperation of everyone. Including Don King and HBO (actually King was not involved in Lewis vs. Tyson in 2002). It can be done," Arum said. "Anything can be done. It depends on the willingness of people to do it. And to set aside ego."
Pacquiao restored his reputation for most in a one-sided beating of Brandon Rios, while Mayweather's last two fights have been boxing lessons against Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez. The current chatter also casts an Amir Khan fight further into doubt.
Mayweather has kept quiet on what his plans are, choosing to leave the decisions to his team while complimenting Khan. "I never know who I'm going to fight," Mayweather said. "I leave that up to my team. My team comes up with the guy and I go with the game plan."
When asked specifically about Khan, Mayweather said, "Amir Khan, I think he's a young, strong champion," Floyd stated. "I call all these guys champions. I call them champions because even when they get knocked down they get back up and give it their best."
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