Recently speculation transpired the web of Floyd Mayweather Jr. offering Bob Arum 10 million dollars to step aside in the negotiations of a possible mega fight with Manny Pacquiao. This story originated when Stephen A. Smith stated, “In the reality in what it comes down to is that I think that the pressure is mounting with Floyd Mayweather Jr. I even had somebody connected to Floyd Mayweather’s people tell me that Mayweather got on the phone and essentially offered Bob Arum 10 million to step out of the way. So clearly this is about Arum, this is not about Manny Pacquiao.”
There have been no confirmation from either Mayweather’s camp, or Top Rank to publicly confirm this deal was in fact offered, but it does seem as something that would took place. A deal such as this would probably not be accepted by Arum given the fact this may be the biggest prizefight in the history of boxing. Arum certainly does not want to be left out of the picture and rightfully so.
Boxing insiders understand political endeavors between Al Haymon and Top Rank have prevented this fight, as many other countless great fights from occurring. Since both Mayweather and Pacquiao seem close to retirement but still remain at the top of the sport, the pressure from the media of making this bout happen is starting to intensify. There seems to be no way of getting around the fact, both Al Haymon and Bob Arum need to settle their long term dispute for the fans benefit, and the betterment of the sport.
If Mayweather vs. Pacquiao does in fact take place, the beauty of it will be, not only do fight fans get the bout they have been anticipating for many years, but it might also open up a floodgate of great fights that once were only seen as dream fights such as a Lucas Matthysse vs. Ruslan Provodkinov.
Whether the mega fight will take place is unclear at this point. This is not the first time people began believing the two sides will come to an agreement, yet years later both fighters find themselves in a familiar predicament. People will just have to tune in and see what 2015 has to offer.