Arum speaking to the media (Photo:Top Rank Boxing/Tom Briglia)
Over the coming weeks, Bob Arum and his opposite number from Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer will be trying to put together a fight between pound for pound greats Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
Offers and demands are being made and concessions attempted. If Mayweather doesn't want to play ball though, the wily Top Rank boss already has a contingency plan up his sleeve.
Despite reports of a possible rift between Top Rank and Miguel Cotto earlier this week, it appears that Bob Arum will be hoping that his charge emerges victorious against the fighting Rabbi Yuri Foreman on June 5th.
The alleged dispute between Cotto and Arum came after the news that Cotto will be co-promoting local cards in his native Puerta Rico with Golden Boy in the future. Thought by some to be revenge of a sort because of the fact that Top Rank have backed controversial claims by Antonio Margarito that he didn't know he was had loaded hand wraps prior to his fight against Shane Mosley.
Arum's latest plan is to have Manny Pacquiao fight Cotto at light middleweight if he takes the title from Foreman in two weeks time. Potentially securing a record 8th world title at an 8th weight for the Filipino superstar. This would also slot together nicely for the aforementioned Margarito to fight Foreman next, perhaps whether he retains his title or not.
The only potential spanners in the works are that Miguel Cotto has stated he will not fight Margarito again, who seemingly he and many others suspect used loaded hand wraps against him several years ago. Also Manny Pacquiao might not climb the weight classes again if Foreman is the titleholder because the the big height disadvantage he would be giving up.
Speaking to Boxingscene, Bob Arum said:
"If the Mayweather deal gets made with Pacquiao, the winner of this fight [Cotto-Foreman] would be a natural for Antonio Margarito. If the Mayweather deal is not made, Pacquiao might fight Miguel Cotto, if Cotto beats Foreman, for the 154-pound title. I don't think Manny would fight Yuri Foreman because he says Yuri is too tall,"
Until now, it looked as if the front runner to face Pacquiao if the Floyd Mayweather fight doesn't happen was Antonio Margarito, which many fans were not too happy with. It isn't that Margarito is a bad opponent as such, but the hand wrap incident has left a bitter taste with many boxing fans, and being given a multi million dollar fight after his suspension doesnt sit well with much of the public.
Also and perhaps more importantly, beating Margarito doesn't really mean anything for Pacquiao at this stage, especially if this is his last fight. Margarito doesn't posses either a title or a style Manny would struggle with, and the fight isn't the kind of swansong most are envisioning for the newly appointed congressman.
Foreman and Cotto work out, click for full gallery
The question then turns to whether Cotto will beat Foreman when the pair meet at Yankee stadium. Most will tell you that the fight hinges on how much Cotto has left in the tank after taking a lot of punishment throughout his career. Foreman is a better fighter than he perhaps gets credit for, although he does not have a huge punch and Cotto has only been beaten by big hitters rather than slick technicians in the past. Add in a new trainer for Cotto in the form of Emanuel Steward and we might well be moving a step closer to Pacquiao vs. Cotto II after June 5th.
Chuck Bagley, Pittsburgh: "Floyd Mayweather is the fight everyone wants to see for Pacquiao, not Margarito or Cotto who he already beat half to death in the first fight"
Rick Morrison, Pittsburgh: "I would rather see Pac-Cotto 2 than for Margarito to get his hands on millions of dollars after what he did. This will get him an 8th title as well"
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, who is ducking who?
Mayweather vs. Mosley testing regime called into question as Pacquiao talks continue
Details from the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather negotiations emerging?
For more on Floyd Mayweather's possible negotiation tactics, check out: Kenny Rogers hit song -- tailor-made for Floyd Mayweather?
Comments
because manny's scared to fight foreman...he too big i'm just a wittle guy
just as meaningless as the rest of PEDman so-called accomplishments
8th title - hate pac that much? don't bet against him next time lol
"just as meaningless as the rest of PEDman so-called accomplishments
because manny's scared to fight foreman...he too big i'm just a wittle guy"
Looks like a translation may be required for above tripe, and here it is:
"we're complete idiots and have no idea what we're talking about."
- Cockwell and 8th
Oscar is about as tall as Foreman yet Manny fought him. There is no official report that Manny won't fight Uri, it is all bob's talks. I bet he is relunctant to pit Manny against a Jew.
"chicken of the same feather" that's funny. I like that one.
Too bad i did not invent it but i'll borrow it.
Li'l Ape Monkey Jr is "chicken of the same feather." LoL
Pistol whipping Uncle Rogie too
And crack inhaling Big Floyd is too.
HA HA HA HA HA A
Am just wondering why the American USADA gave in to American Floyd's demands for drug tests. Is Floyd that powerful that he can twist USADA's neck. If it were Filipino Manny who demanded the tests, will American USADA have listened? I think not.
It's simple. American Racial Discrimination. But I still prefer Manny's brown skin than Floyd's black.
If Floyd and Pac can't be made there's a lot deserving fighter for Pac than Margarito. Berto is a champion too fans will want to see that fight and so as Bradley since he's moving to Welterweight Pac should at least earn 10 million there it ain't even half as he could earn fighting Floyd but if Pac beat Berto or Bradley that will put more pressure on Floyd to fight Pac.
Pac vs Margarito gets me nervous because Margarito ate all the
punches of cotto and he is 5'11 I hope that pacquiao fights him at 145 or 144 like he did to cotto.I saw Margarito vs Roberto Garcia and Margarito change his style like Humberto Zoto boxing backwards. Actually Mayweather and Margarito are the 2 boxers that get me nervous.
CJ James of bleacher report.com in his article that people who believe examiner.com are retarded boomerang to himself of the same remarks.His line of reasoning is the same as his boss manager floida.. immature, childish and on the verge of sinilety..
He went to the extent of humiliating Marley who is reporting first hand information direct from Gen San. Unlike himself who got his information on secondary data.
He is conducting a survey which is self-serving..he is as ignorant as his idol and they are of the same feathers, hermaprodites ..stupid and foolish.
Li'l Ape Monkey Jr. is 'chicken from the same feather.' LoL
Big Floyd Sr, crackhead addict is from the same feather. Hahaha
That's like saying #1floydfan is a retard from the same mental hospital - HA HA Ha
MANNITA THE PEDGIRL!PACQUIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Cotto has now nothing to prove against Pacquiao, only Bob Arum is in keen for the money that Pacquiao can draw. If Pacquiao-Mayweather will fall-out, better for Pacquiao to rest and concentrate his new task as public servant. I know Mayweather will soon to challenge the Pacman with no more demands.
what about martinez or yuri? i mean if manny wont have anyone else except for cotto and margarito in the welter why not go up to super welter or middleweight? its not bad if he loses, its more than what he can bare already yet if he wins he is truly one in a million. so id say martinez in middleweight or yuri in super welter. drop cotto and margarito.
foreman is too tall
bradley is too risky
mosley not a ppv attraction
what happened to manny the warrior.
sounds like someone has a lot of excuses
why not berto
why not bradley
why not alexander
why not martinez
manny will not box anyone with real chance of beatin him thats why those ppv sales will drop lower and lower and lower.
Pacquiao vs Cotto at 154 lbs at Yankee Stadium will surely make a lot of sense. If Cotto/Foreman fight can fill up the stadium 35,000 fans then a Pacquiao/Cotto fight in higher division can be sold better.
bye bye America bye bye world The PACMAN will gonna retire soon . it so sad to hear that but PACMAN is nothing to prove for what he has acomplished in and outside the ring is a history and its hard to duplicate what he have done. THANK YOU AMERICA THANK YOU WORLD for giving this lil man beyond our emagination that nobody does ever. last but not the least THANK YOU PACMAN for evetything the joy and tears, drama that you bring.
Hey fiance when are we getting married I need babies?lol You know what I think Cotto would be too easy even if he weighed 180 pounds...If it's not Mayweather,,,Manny should fight Martinez.
THE PACMAN WILL BE REMEMBERED BY MILLIONS PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOVE AS THE ONE OF THE GREATEST OR MAYBE GREATEST BOXER EVER IF HE WILL RETIRE SOON BUT ON OTHER HAND FLOYD WILL BE REMEMBERED THE GREATEST DUCKER OF ALL TIME.
Floyd fans, why don't you guys ask PBF to fight Berto, Yuri, Martinez, Williams? or even Cotto? Why did PBF fought Mosley now? Ask yourselves this questions.... Pacquiao had conquered 7 weight divisions and he doesn't need to prove himself nor fight above 147lbs. Tell PBF to be a big man and fight the rest of the champions above 147lbs or fight Pacquiao!!!
Don't worry if Pacquiao vs Mayweather doesn't get made I am going to be asking for Mayweather vs Martinez @ 160 pounds for his 6th WBC in 6 dif weights. Roger wants it and im sure Floyd does too.
If Pacquiao vs Mayweather doesn't get made it should be
a unifcatio bout PACQUIAO VS BERTO
Uncle bob should hope that yuri will win, why? cause it's a big event and lotws of money if Yuri will face the Pacman going for 8th! Hope Uncle Bob read my comment!
winner of cotto foreman will be great against manny pacquiao - catchweight will even the reach & height advantage, maybe maximum weight at fightnight to make it exciting
FLOYD made good his name by fighting:
1. OLD opponents
2. Smaller opponents
3. Way past prime opponents.
Manny fought either the best opponents at their weight or bigger opponents.
With this,Floyd is not a brave boy from braveland -
SHE's THE brave girl from USA.
Shame on this Negro
Floyd is gay!
This is for that writer CJ JAMES:
Please vote
CJ JAMES is:
O STUPID
O VERY STUPID
O MOST STUPID AND IDIOT
Hey Bri! one at a time dude.. why not Floyd Sr. Floyd Jr. and Roger at the same time in the ring with PACMAN? how's that? maybe you can join too ha ha ha.
Pacquiao vs Cotto 2: Hell No
Pacquiao vs Margarito: at 154 pounds sounds Great
Pacquiao vs Marquez 3: Good Fight sounds good
Pacquiao vs Mayweather: Pound for Pound fight sounds good
I would like to see Cotto and Berto that be interesting to watch
If i was Pacquiao i would fire Arum and Hire De La Hoya as a Promoter.
Why would i wanna see pacquiao and cotto again?
Margarito would be interesting
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!