By John F. McKenna (McJack)
According to FIGHTHYPE.com multiple sources are reporting that WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) is pushing adviser Michael Koncz to initiate negotiations for the “Dream Fight” with WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s).
Pacquiao the sources say is adamant that he wants to fight Mayweather next despite what Top Rank CEO Bob Arum may want. The unnamed sources also say that Koncz has already traveled to Las Vegas to convey Manny’s wishes to Arum.
Arum had been pushing for yet another fight with WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KO’s). Pacquiao won a hotly disputed decision over Marquez on November 12 and even though he was awarded the decision, he has taken a public relations beating in the media around the world. Even many of Pacquiao’s countrymen feel that he lost the fight with Marquez.
Reportedly “Pacman” wants Arum to begin negotiations as soon as possible with the Mayweather camp to arrange the super fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. Over the past couple of years efforts to put together such a fight have repeatedly come up short with negotiations breaking down for one reason or another.
Most recently the drug testing issue has been the sticking point in negotiations. Floyd has remained steadfast in his insistence that all his opponents submit themselves to Olympic style drug testing before the fight. Mayweather maintains that drug testing is necessary to clean up boxing, while many boxing fans have viewed the drug testing issue as just another excuse by the Mayweather camp to avoid fighting Pacquiao.
After Manny’s less than spectacular performance against Marquez the interest in the Mayweather camp to fight Pacquiao appeared to be heightened. Bob Arum on the other hand who has long accused “Money” of ducking “Pacman” now seems to be reticent to make the match.
The sources insist that there will be a cover story as to why the meeting between Koncz and Arum took place, but they insist that Manny is serious about taking on Mayweather and part of the reason the meeting is taking place is to line up investors for what would be the biggest money Mega fight in boxing history.
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