Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Arum Told Jabs At Floyd Jr. Camp Because Of...., Mitch Abramson, nydailynews.com

[Glax0r]

Promoter Bob Arum told jabs at Floyd Mayweather Jr. camp because of stalled Manny Pacquiao talks

BY Mitch Abramson
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, November 20th 2009, 4:00 AM

The posturing over negotiations for possibly the most lucrative fight of all time has begun.

Promoter Bob Arum told the Daily News Thursday that he recently tried to start discussions for the potential mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. and walked into a roadblock. The dialogue was cut short when Arum said that Richard Schaefer, who promotes Mayweather, told him that the boxer is currently a promotional free agent - which Mayweather's camp denies.

Now, Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, said he isn't sure who to deal with in regards to making the fight, which would probably take place in the spring.

"I'm waiting for a clear direction for who I'm supposed to negotiate with," Arum said yesterday during a luncheon to celebrate Brooklyn's Yuri Foreman, the first orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 70 years. Foreman won a decision against Daniel Santos on Saturday to capture the WBA junior middleweight title on the undercard of Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto.

"Floyd can choose anyone he wishes to negotiate for him," Arum went on. "I assume that if Floyd wants to do the fight then that person will emerge. But Floyd doing it himself will be a catastrophe."

When told of Arum's comments, Leonard Ellerbe, an adviser to Mayweather, chuckled and provided a window into the discord that exists between the two camps. Arum is Mayweather's former promoter.

"Mayweather Promotions is discussing Floyd's options right now," Ellerbe said. "When it comes time to express those options, Richard (Schaefer) will be the one to express our position to Top Rank.

"This is typical Arum, to be playing games like this. It's no secret, the whole world knows that both camps don't see eye to eye. But Floyd has made it perfectly clear that he wants the fight."

[johnnyblaze]

And Leonard has made it perfectly clear he wants muscles.

[Chance]

stalled talks? It hasn't been a week yet :huh:

[WhenWeWereKings]

And Leonard has made it perfectly clear he wants muscles.

:lol:

[Chance]

:lol:

just watched that fight again. Shane was feeding Marg left hook burritos from round one. Nasty

[uniqueland]

Sadly it seems as if Floyd is using this absurd demand for more than 50/50 to justify not taking this fight. I heard he is actually considering fighting Ricky Hatton again. Huh? Way to "challenge" yourself Floyd. That is the best fighting the best, right? Give me a break I wonder how much of Floyd's 1.1M ppv buys were buys at $15 at the movie theatre venues. He knows this fight will never come off at anything other than 50/50. He just wants Manny to bow to him and acknowledge him as the "king" so he starts out with a psychological advantage. That is not going to happen and he knows it.

The difference between everyone wanting Ali to lose back in the 60's was that he was confident and arrogant in a much more likeable way and that is why he is so universally loved today (in addition to he amazing talent of course). Can you ever see Floyd being invited to carry the Olympic torch one day? Floyd is simply and unlikeable person. He thinks all roads lead to only him, but really who did he beat in his career? Castillo almost beat him at the lighter weights. At the heavier weights he has that punching terror, Arturo Gatti, whose claim to fame was wars with Mickey what's his name. Then he beat Judah, another terror, and, oh yeah, I almost forgot, Carlos Baldomir. What was his record again? Oscar De La Hoya, lost by a SPLIT DECISION and that was when he was clearly past his prime. If DLH hit him, Manny will hit him. What do you think will happen when that happens.

Safety first Floyd wants to take no risk of the ultimate embarrassment of being knocked down by one of those , "didn't see it coming" flush punches. Juday hit him clean for Chist sakes. Plus you have Freddie Roach to break Mayweather down as no one ever has.

Sadly I predict this fight never happens so Mayweather can continue to proclaim how boxing's main fascination is in seeing him perform. Honestly who would you rather see fight, boring Mayweather or explosive Pacquiao? There is a reason Mayweather's KO percentage is only slighly better thant 50%.

Sadly we never got to see Christy Martin have her career defining showdown with Lucia Riker. Sadly we never got to see how good Laila Ali really was because she chose to duck and dodge the only real threat she ever had in Anne Wolfe. Didn't want to get knocked out. Didn't want to take the chance of losing her precious 0 and being embarrassed. Boxing was cheated out of not seeing those fights now lost forever. Sadly I see this one going the same way. If Mayweather wants to brag that all roads lead to him, let him step up to the plate and take a risk. The Manny of today is better than the previous Manny and the Manny who fights Mayweather will be something we have not even seen yet. Keeps on improving. Scary. Can't wait to see that Mayweather Hatton rematch. Should be a nail biter.