Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather: 10 Things Standing in the Way of the Fight
Despite a number of "roadblocks" facing the much-awaited Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. match, millions of boxing fans around the world are still hoping the fight everyone in the world wants to see will finally happen next year.
Right after Pacquiao demolished Mexican Antonio Margarito in a bloody duel last November 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum started short-listing possible opponents of the Filipino boxing champion.
Three challengers have been short-listed, including Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto. Still, Mayweather remains on top of Arum's list.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., despite his popularity as Pacquiao's next opponent, has to take care of some unfinished business before he can land a fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Here are 10 things that stand in the way of the fight.
Floyd's Court Cases
1 of 9
One of the major roadblocks in Mayweather's next fight is his pending court cases in the state of Nevada.
It is possible the cases could have early resolution, and if Mayweather is found guilty and is given time to serve in jail, he won't have the opportunity to train in preparation for his fight.
If no adverse resolution on the pending cases is handed out within the next two months, Mayweather, through his lawyers, may be able to arrange for a resetting of the cases to give way for the training of Mayweather for his next fight.
Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum earlier said he hopes Mayweather's lawyers can work out certain arrangements in such a way that the boxer's training is not hampered by court schedules.
Roger Mayweather May Not Be Available to Train Floyd
2 of 9
Floyd's uncle Roger Mayweather is a very important person in Floyd's boxing career because he handles the undefeated boxer's training.
Floyd's father used to train the young Mayweather, but due to some personal differences, his uncle Roger Mayweather is now handling Floyd's training.
Both the boxer and the trainer have pending cases in Nevada courts.
On January 24, they will appear in court. Floyd will attend a preliminary hearing on the cases filed or initiated by Josie Harris, his former girlfriend and mother of his three kids.
Roger, on the other hand, will attend his own hearing involving another case with a woman amateur boxer who claimed she was attacked by Roger Mayweather in her apartment.
The availability of Floyd and his uncle for the needed training seems to be getting in the way of the fight at this time.
January 24 is a very important day for both Floyd and Roger, as they will know how their ongoing court cases will affect their 2011 fight schedules.
The Don King Factor
3 of 9
Don King is said to be the key to a successful negotiation with Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum. However, the pioneer promoter has admitted he has not signed up with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Mayweather was in Florida last weekend, but it seems no agreement has been reached. It was earlier reported King was busy attending to his wife, who is currently battling with cancer.
Bob Arum admitted a Pacquiao-Mayweather match can be made easier with Don King on the other end of the negotiating table.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Bob Arum Has Shane Mosley on Top of His Shortlist
4 of 9
Bob Arum said he thinks Mosley is by far the opponent of Pacquiao that makes the most sense among the names on his shortlist, which include Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto.
Arum said Mayweather is still on top of his list, but Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer said Saturday his preference is to respect the legal process in Nevada before scheduling a Mayweather fight.
Arum said no elected Nevada judge is going to interfere with a bout that could generate $500 million in the state's economy.
"What kind of stupid comment is that from a Harvard lawyer?" Schaefer asked. "Not everyone thinks money first. Money is not above everything. I don't care how much money this is. There's no price on doing things the right way, and if Floyd wants to let his legal process play out before he agrees to the fight, I support him."
It seems Arum could no longer wait for the January 24 court hearing, which is important in the Mayweather fight schedule.
Arum has reportedly reserved an April 16 fight date for Pacquiao at the MGM Grand.
Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer Vs. Bob Arum
5 of 9
"Bob Arum is hurting the sport." This statement came from Golden Boy Promotions owner Oscar De La Hoya, and it was sent to some 17,000 followers of his Twitter account.
The long, drawn-out feud between De La Hoya and Arum is indeed not helping the sport. Business jealousy seems to be the order of the day.
GBP's Richard Schaefer has joined the fray with his hard-line remark about Arum's statement on Mayweather's dilly-dallying. Arum wants Mayweather's decision on the Pacquiao fight and not to use the court schedules as a reason for withholding his decision.
Oscar says boxing fans are being robbed of good quality boxing fights because Arum does not want to do business with Golden Boy.
It is no secret Top Rank and Golden Boy fighters dominate big time boxing. If these two top promoters don't agree on almost all boxing issues, it may be assumed both of them are hurting the sport.
Freddie Roach Says Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather Will Never Happen
6 of 9
Until the day Manny Pacquiao signed up with Antonio Margarito, Freddie Roach was saying Mayweather would eventually face Pacquiao in the ring.
Roach thinks Mayweather will not let the opportunity pass on the richest fight in recent history. Mayweather and Pacquiao stand to make no less than $50 million each. Some observers say the fight purse and pay-per-view share could go as high as $70 million.
After the Pacquiao-Margarito match, Roach has given up on Mayweather. He said the fight everyone in the world wants to see will no longer happen.
Roach is now convinced Floyd is afraid to lose his unblemished record. He thinks Floyd knows Pacquiao will beat him and will give him his first loss.
If new rounds of negotiations take place, Freddie Roach is not expected to help in the process knowing Mayweather will not risk his zero in a Pacquiao fight.
Shane Mosley Is Almost a Done Deal
7 of 9
To show his sincerity to Bob Arum, who does not want to deal with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, Shane Mosley said he has dropped Golden Boy as his promoter so that he can deal directly with Arum.
Arum in turn said he will discuss with Pacquiao when they meet on the third week of December in the Philippines the proposals submitted by Mosley, JM Marquez and Andre Berto.
Arum said he will go for a Pacquiao-Mosley fight.
Juan Manuel Marquez Is a Dark Horse
8 of 9
Juan Manuel Marquez has been working hard to earn a shot at Pacquiao since he demolished Michael Katsidis of Australia.
The past few days he's been wearing a T-shirt with printing that says, "I Beat Pacquiao Twice."
Marquez has been chasing Manny Pacquiao for almost three years, hoping the pound-for-pound king will give him one last chance.
He maintains he won the last two fights on points, claiming he was cheated in the officiating. He says he deserves a trilogy with Pacquiao.
Andre Berto: The Spoiler
9 of 9
Andre Berto is a long shot for Pacquiao. But the undefeated Haitian-American boxer is ready to face Pacquiao if Mosley and Marquez fail to sign up with Pacquiao.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
