If Floyd Mayweather Jr. is unwilling to face Manny Pacquiao, why does he keep sending barbs Manny's way? Perhaps, it is possible that he would face the Pacman in a megafight many years in the making?
According to Showtime's executive vice president Stephen Espinoza, Mayweather "will fight Manny Pacquiao anywhere, any time," as long as Pacquiao parts with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum for at least the one fight.
"I know Floyd is not the issue," Espinoza said. "Floyd wants the fight. Floyd will fight Manny Pacquiao anywhere, any time. Unfortunately, there is a promotional conflict which are the issue."
Unfortunately for boxing fans, Pacquiao is highly unlikely to ditch his promoter for a single fight, nor is he likely to accept terms being dictated to him so forcefully, leaving Amir Khan still in the lead to win the "Mayweather lottery."
"Khan is definitely one of the leading contenders for the fight," Espinoza told The Telegraph. "I know Amir wants the fight. Floyd hasn't made a decision. I expect an announcement by mid-January or the end of January." Espinoza also said that Marcos Maidana's top-notch performance against Adrien Broner on December 14th put him in the conversation.
"It is still wide open. Floyd has not made a decision yet about who he is going to fight on May 3. Obviously, Marcos Maidana is making a late case and a strong argument for the fight, but Amir is definitely there in the conversation."
While those names are buzzing for Floyd, a new name is on the radar of Pacquiao, one who initially was thought to be completely out of the running. Ruslan Provodnikov has changed his tune about Pacman, and now says he'd be willing to fight the man with whom he shares a trainer.
"The chances are good that we will meet Pacquiao on April 12," said Provodnikov. "As you know, I originally did not want to fight with (Pacquiao), because we both trained under the guidance of Freddie Roach. Then, while I was on vacation at a resort, I carefully thought about the situation, and I decided that if fate is giving me the opportunity, then I need to use it.
"To refuse a fight with such a great boxer is stupid. I've always wanted to fight with the best, and Pacquiao is at the top of the ceiling."
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