Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Manny Pacquiao: Boxing’s Mega-Fight May Never Happen, WBO President Warns
The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao mega fight may never see the light of day, the president of the World Boxing Organization has warned.
Francisco Valcarcel has joined the many observers who believe that a fight between the pair, who are boxing’s biggest draws at the moment, is likely never going to happen. Though experts estimate that the fight would generate at least $300 million, the WBO president said he fears that the many competing interests are making it too difficult to reach a deal.
“You have too much stuff all around the board that have to be agreed too; Showtime, HBO, promoters and all kinds of things. I have my doubts that the fight will take place,” the WBO President said to Percy Crawford of Fight Hype.
“People want to see Mayweather and Pacquiao and I want to see Mayweather and Pacquiao, but again, like I tell you before, I got my doubts that that fight is going to happen. You got too much stuff there to come to terms and agree to and it’s not easy when you’re dealing with two, three, four, five, six and seven parts; not easy…not easy.”
There has been speculation about a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight for years, and in 2009 they nearly agreed on terms to a fight before it fell apart at the last minute.
It now appears the most recent negotiations for a fight could go the same way. The fighters’ camps have come into conflict often when negotiating terms for the May 2 bout, with many pointing fingers at Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum for holding up the deal.
But Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao may be taking matters into their own hands to make the fight happen. After a chance meeting at a Miami Heat game, the pair have met in person a handful of times in an attempt to move past the conflicts and set up the fight themselves.
Though the boxers have reportedly made some headway, time may be running out for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight to actually happen. Pacquiao’s camp reportedly wanted the fight set by the end of January, and he has already made backup plans to fight British boxer Amir Khan in May if the Mayweather fight isn’t set.
