Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Who Should We Believe That Super-Fight Will Happen?

The never-ending saga surrounding the projected super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao continues to be just that, and with no end in sight to the incessant dramatic thespian antics from all parties concerned, whose side of the story should the ever trusting fans believe?

Ever since the proposed mega-fight between the aforementioned made headline news back in early 2010, everyone and I mean everyone has had their take on when it will transpire and why it won’t happen and everything else in between.

Those at the nucleus of this "he said and she said" farce are always on hand to relay the latest in a long line of what has turned out to be falsehoods to the media—which in turn is fed to the boxing masses.

The same boxing contingent, who as always, excitedly digest the new information, only to unearth more deceit and lies for what must seem like the umpteenth time in the “Money” vs. “Pac-Man” yarn.

Let’s take a look at the alleged culprits behind one of boxing's biggest fiascoes and who we the fans should believe, that this historic event will happen.

Oscar De La Hoya

The Olympic gold medalist and president of Golden Boy Productions dismissed any notions that Top Rank CEO Bob Arum had in any intention of making the proposed fight happen.

DLH went so far as to say that he doubted the validity of Arum’s claim that he’d in actuality been in contact with investors regarding the matchup.

Succinctly put, the six-division world champion alluded to the fact that Arum’s antics were a mendacious attempt at deceiving the public.

“Bob Arum, please, please stop lying to the public. Sit down with my CEO Richard (Schaefer) and make the big fight happen. Before Manny asks questions,” De La Hoya said.

“Hahaha, Bob Arum is saying there are a bunch of investors he's talking to try and make PAC vs. Mayweather. I can't stop laughing,” De La Hoya said.

“Mayweather wants the fight, all Bob has to do is call Richard,” he said to Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports reporter.

“Bottom line is, Mayweather wants Pacquiao, what's the hold up? Bob,”  De La Hoya added.

As DLH has stated, he believes there is no verity whatsoever to what Arum has been feeding the media.

Be that as it may, what proof is there not to suggest that “The Golden Boy’s” reasons for his public diatribe are nothing more than a ploy to get GBP a seat at the negotiating table or better yet, force Pacquiao’s hand to jump ship?

Manny Pacquiao

Whilst the other players in this everyday soap opera were publicly stating whether the fight will happen, when it will happen and whatever negotiations were underway, Pacquiao quietly went about his business.

Then before Arum could say “you do the fighting and I’ll do the talking,” “The Pac-Man" went all Sarangani-politician on us, but still with gloves on.

“Negotiations are ongoing for my fight with Mayweather, but nothing is final.”

“Mayweather may be thinking, 'I can fight Pacquiao now because he had trouble against Marquez, and I was able to beat up Marquez,” Pacquiao said.

Was Pacquiao pushed by the Top Rank brass into going public with that statement so as to give the illusion that he’s, in fact, his own man?

Or was the eight-division world champion in all essence being frank and forthright?

I’ll cut to the chase—has Pac-Man all along been an integral part of the game?

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The WBC welterweight champion has on several occasions called out the Pac-Man—he recently even went so far as to publicly state via video that he was ready, willing and able to throw leather with the Filipino congressman.

Prior to that, his advisor Leonard Ellerbe, speaking to ESPN.com pronounced that the “Money” camp had pencilled in May. 5 as the date set for the fight of the century to take place.

Money, however, upped the ante when he called out Pacquiao again, referring to May 5 as their date with destiny.

[…] “like I said before, May 5th, let’s do it, May 5th, let’s do it. I don’t want to hear no ifs, ands or buts. Let’s do it” […]

Still, with all the macho-esque bravado emanating from Money May, one thing he has vehemently denied is that there is no truth behind reports that negotiations are in progress apropos Pacquiao.

So, should we believe Mayweather when he says that any suggestions of negotiations taking place has been a pack of lies?

What about May 5th, it's that some sort of ruse to keep the fans on tenterhooks?

Or is he, as I purported Pacquiao to be, in the game so to speak?

Bob Arum

The one person that most people hold accountable, vis-à-vis the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao super-fight debacle, is none other than Top Rank CEO Bob Arum.

Many believe that once Arum gives the go ahead, the fight of the century is on—no ifs, ands, buts or maybes.

Whilst being the subject of ire of many a boxing fan, the Top Rank promoter has done his best to dispel any conceptions that he’s the main reason behind the breakdown in any and all supposed negotiations.

“You have to understand that this isn’t the kind of fight you make in 15 minutes. It doesn’t work that way. It takes time, and my obligation is to get Manny the best deal possible,” Arum said.

He did, however, say that bringing Money vs. Pac-Man fight to fruition was now his priority.

“Why would I not want that fight to happen? Manny wants it. Boxing fans want it. The media wants it.”

Nevertheless, is Arum’s talk of prioritizing the fight, just a big smoke screen to deflect from his real intentions—a fourth bout with Márquez for his charge Pac-Man?

Or has it been a ploy all along by the parties in question, to garner interest, whilst building anticipation to such an extent that when the fight eventually happens, they’ll make a handsome profit— enough to line their coffers for an eternity?

Or maybe it's just a case of "don't hate the players, hate the game" scenario being played out?"