LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya is willing to work with Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum to put together and promote a bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather – potentially the richest fight in the history of the sport.
Mayweather finally spoke out in an Showtime interview last weekend and said he is ready and willing to fight Pacquiao on May 2, 2015.
"I know he is not on my level. The fans would love to see the fight, and of course, I want to go out with a bang," said Mayweather, who also claimed that Arum is to blame for the collapse in negotiations.
De La Hoya, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN North America, said he has long dreamed of witnessing a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown.
"Obviously, this fight should've taken place five years ago," said De La Hoya. "A lot of people say that they're not the same fighters they once were."
"Obviously, five years ago they were younger, they were faster, they were stronger. But the fight is still intriguing, even at this point, because you have the best against the best," he added.
"Manny Pacquiao is a tremendous, tremendous champion, a global superstar, and Mayweather is a guy who brings a lot to the table."
De La Hoya even said he is open to working with Top Rank's Arum – his longtime rival – to promote the fight next year.
"I would love to work with Bob and promote that event, absolutely," he said. "There is something that I bring to the table, obviously the Hispanic factor, which we know is probably the biggest fan base that generates tons of numbers. It's something to think about."
Arum, for his part, claimed that Showtime network executives are pressuring Mayweather to accept the fight.
"It's pushing, you know, but it takes a lot to push Mayweather because he is not anxious to fight Manny," Arum said. "I know why – Manny figures not only to win, but to knock him out."
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
