Why Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather May Not Take Place

If it's all about the benjamins, then this fight would have already taken place. Neither fighters stands to make more money in any single fight than if and when they fight one another. In fact, their pairing would most likely yield the biggest collective payday for two men who have ever entered the squared circle.

Manny Pacquiao is slated to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in the third installation of a series that should have ended before this year. And Floyd Mayweather will be fighting the capable, but still somewhat green Victor Ortiz next month in a fight that is taking place a few years too soon (for Ortiz).

These are all nice fights but mere appetizers to a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown.

Many think the aforementioned fights will lead to the latest installation of the Fight of the Century (Mayweather-Pacquiao). But until I see Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Boxing meet, greet and sign a contract, I'm not holding my breath.

Before I forget what I am writing this article about, let me get back to the point and state the five reasons why Mayweather-Pacquiao may still not take place.

5. Bob Arum

It seems like decades ago that 1) Bob Arum once promoted Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and touted that 2) "the Pretty Boy" would be better than Sugar Ray Leonard.

Little did we know that the second part of the previous statement would eventually prove more true. Ever since their nasty split several years ago, Arum and Mayweather have had very little nice to say about each other.

4. Al Haymon

To put it bluntly, he and Arum (above) do not like each other. At least, that's what I have heard and read. And the last time I checked, when people don't get along, they tend not to want to sit down and break bread.

3. Money

No, Mayweather's other nickname will not get in the way of this fight. But the split over the purse and pay-per-view earnings will be contentious—to say the least.

Blood

Money and blood don't mix. If you think the money split issue is a barrier, Mayweather's insistence that Pacquiao submit to Olympic-style blood testing may as well be Fort Knox.

It's also complicated by a "not-so-little" defamation of character lawsuit Pacquiao and his team have levied against Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions.

1. Ego

Basically, the egos of all parties involved is the main culprit in this unfortunate series of events.

Closing

The nation's most popular sport (NFL) avoided a work stoppage not too long ago.

Let's hope that Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Boxing take a hint and not let Mayweather-Pacquiao slip away.