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Boxing promoter Bob Arum has denied speculations that a negotiation is now ongoing for a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematch.The Top Rank, Inc. executive maintained that any fight related to the Filipino superstar will have to go through him.
“Unless they’re negotiating with somebody else, it’s not me,” said the veteran promoter in Steve Kim’s report to Boxing Scene.
Arum said that the amount of potential fight revenue may have fueled speculations of a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather II.
The super bout, which was dubbed as the “Fight of the Century,” garnered over 4.4 million pay-per-view buys. It is also expected to breach the $400 million mark in terms of gross revenue, assuring Mayweather of at least $200 million and Pacquiao, $100 million.
“There have been no negotiations, what everybody is saying, with the incredible amount of money that they did last time that neither guy can make anywhere near the money fighting somebody else than they could fighting each other,” said Arum.
The fight failed to live up to the hype as Mayweather chose to engage Pacquiao in a tactical match, a strategy that bored many fans.
Arum, however, believes a rematch can still generate a lot of money despite the underwhelming outcome of the May 2 bout.
“Nobody is saying they’re going to do the money they did last time,” he said.
But the promoter stressed they will have to prioritize Pacquiao’s health before even entertaining any talk of a possible rematch.
The Filipino boxer underwent a medical procedure for his torn rotator cuff, which he blamed for his loss against Mayweather.
“Why discuss it until we know that the guy can fight again?” Arum earlier told Fight Hype.
“I don’t wanna be an alarmist, the doctor’s sure that he can and everything but you know it’s not a minor operation.”
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
Photo: Press release
