“Like Al Davis says, just win baby, it’s very important to win,” stated Bob Arum on the red carpet of the only press conference between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Arum has promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing history, so he’s no stranger to the theatre of such grand events. Arum feels this fight is what the boxing world needs.
“I think it will help doesn’t it,” explained Arum. “Here’s all this attention and all this enthusiasm for a boxing match and it’s boxing. So I think it helps the sport.”
Maybe it’s more important for Arum’s side to win this bout over any other bout. But Arum was cool when answering questions, especially those saying that this fight will be a boring fight.
“I disagree,” stated Arum. “I think the fight will be tremendously exciting because of the style of both fighters. I really think that you’re going to see a toe to toe battle between these guys. Anybody who says this will be a dull fight is just making things up. They don’t understand boxing.”
Arum feels that although Mayweather is known for his defense, his offensive craft gets no credit. With Manny Pacquiao bringing the fight, Arum feels those two factors alone will make it a terrific fight.
“I really think it’s going to be a terrific fight because Manny’s style is going to force Mayweather into fighting, into firing back,” stated Arum. “You know Mayweather is a better offensive fighter than people give him credit for. They look at Mayweather and say he’s just defense, but he’s pretty good. He punches good, he hits good, he fires his punches straight. I really think it’s going to be an offensive battle.”
With the demand for the fight so high, Arum told the press on the red carpet that his tickets are available. “$200,000, they can take my tickets and another 200,000 for my wife’s.”
As for Andre Ward, the name synonymous with him now is Gennady Golovkin. While the two may be a weight class apart, if the fight makes sense to all parties Itskowitch will do what he can to make the fight happen
“If I had a crystal ball and I was psychic, I’d be able to make more money that way then the way I’m doing now. If it’s a fight that the fans want to see, it’s a fight that we’re going to work to make. It’s a complex situation where they are in different weight classes. They have goals that are a little bit different. If it’s a fight that makes economic sense that the fans want, we’ll make it happen.”
