Arum doubts Mayweather challenge, but still hoping Pacquiao fight can happen

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum expressed doubt about the sincerity of Floyd Mayweather's desire to finally fight Manny Pacquiao.

 

The unbeaten pound-for-pound king called out Pacquiao on American television on Saturday, saying that he wants the superfight to happen on May 2.

 

In an interview with GMA News TV's "News To Go" on Tuesday, Arum answered with a blunt "no" when asked whether he believed the pound-for-pound king's challenge.

 

"I think that discussion has been going on about a fight and they will comment on the contrary on the discussion that we’ve been having," said Arum, who promotes Pacquiao. "I think what Mayweather is trying to do is to undo those negotiations."

 

Arum also said that Mayweather's declared date, the Cinco de Mayo weekend, is contrary to negotiations being hammered out by both parties.

 

"What they have been saying is odd on what we have been discussing," he said. "It’s almost like, a guy sleeping all the time while his people is discussing the fight on our side."

 

He said, however, that the fight is slated for the first six months of 2015 based on the discussions.

 

Arum earlier said that Mayweather is afraid of Pacquiao's left hand and wants to avoid the fight, but he refused to consider the idea of both boxers retiring without facing each other in the ring.

 

"I am not willing to say this fight is not gonna happen. What the legacy is gonna be? I am optimistic that we can make this fight happen," he said. — Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News