At the beginning of 2011, it seemed that a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr was miles apart. However, over the last month it appears that some progress has been made in putting this fight together. On Monday, Jeff Mayweather stated that he was negotiating between both sides for a fight in South Africa this summer. On Tuesday, Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum acknowledged the South African inquiry of a potential mega-fight. And on Wednesday, Oscar De La Hoya once again publicly declared that this fight will happen.
In an interview with Reuters, De La Hoya made the following comments about a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight:
"I believe that fight will take place. I believe Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao understand that it has to take place. They are the best fighters out there and I feel they both really want this fight to happen. When the time comes, people will enjoy a tremendous fight because styles make fights."
The question remains when will that "time" be? A potential fight between both fighters has been talked about since late 2009. Here we are 1 1/2 years later and we are nowhere closer to a fight. Despite what Jeff Mayweather has said, there are still too many factors that plague a potential showdown of the sport's top 2 fighters. With Manny fighting in May, I don't see a mega-fight with Mayweather Jr happening until at least November. In regards to Mayweather Jr, I don't see his legal troubles being over before the end of summer at best. Plus, we still have the issue with drug testing and cut-off dates.
As much as the boxing world would love to see this fight, I do not believe enough progress has been made to warrant the raising of hope for this epic encounter. In my opinion, this is just wishful thinking. I'd put my "money" on a fight between Pacquiao and Marquez before a fight with Mayweather.
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