MANILA,
NOVEMBER 4, 2011 (TIMES) Written by : JUN MEDINA SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT -
FLOYD Mayweather Jr. (photo) is looking forward to face Manny Pacquiao in a
fight tentatively set for May 5 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada,
according to his close adviser Leonard Ellerbe.
"Team Mayweather is looking to make the biggest fight possible and everyone
knows what that fight is," Ellerbe told FightHype.com, obviously referring to a
Pacquiao-Mayweather match.
The adviser, who is chief executive officer of Mayweather Promotions, said
that Team Mayweather was looking forward to make what could be the biggest
match-up in boxing history, one that could earn Pacquiao a minimum of $50
million.
But Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, expressed cynicism over this development
because of its timing, just eight days from Pacquiao's big-money welterweight
title fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12.
"These people are all phonies," Arum said by phone on Thursday night from his
home in Las Vegas.
"They are just trying to divert attention from Manny's big fight, but I doubt
if they are truly, truly willing to put [Mayweather] in the ring with Pacquiao
this time," he added.
The promoter maintained that Mayweather would never fight Pacquiao because
the African-American fighter was scared of the Filipino boxing icon.
During an exclusive interview with Fight Hype's Ben Thompson, Ellerbe related
that Team Mayweather welcomed the report of Pacquiao agreeing to undergo
Olympic-style blood testing.
"It's great to hear that they are now ready to take the same [US Anti-Doping
Agency] random blood and urine tests that Floyd, Shane Mosley, and Victor Ortiz
have already taken," Ellerbe said during the interview, the transcript of which
was posted on FightHype.com.
"This is great for the sport of boxing and I commend Manny Pacquiao for
stepping up to the plate," he added.
During a teleconference call on Wednesday, both Pacquiao and Marquez declared
that they were in great shape and confident of victory in their upcoming fight,
the third in what could be among the greatest trilogies in boxing history.
Pacquiao said that his November 12 match with Marquez would be more exciting
than their previous scraps because they both love to fight, plus the fact that
they both have improved.
The Filipino boxing icon knocked Marquez down thrice in the opening round of
their 2004 fight, but the Mexican defending champion rallied in the next rounds
to salvage a controversial draw.
Four years later, Pacquiao won their rematch via a split decision, with the
lone knockdown in the third round by the boxing superstar proving to be the
deciding factor.
Chief News Editor:
Sol Jose Vanzi
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