Bob Arum says Mayweather using him as 'scapegoat' amid idle negotiations for Pacquiao superfight

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is convinced that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is using him as a scapegoat after the American boxer blamed him for the delay in finalizing the negotiations for the Pacquiao-Mayweather superfight.

Speaking to The Denver Post, Arum insisted that Manny Pacquiao's camp has already agreed to all the terms of the bout but Mayweather himself would not sign the contract.

Mayweather, for his part, pointed his finger to the promoter when he was interviewed by Shade 45 radio, saying that it has been "extremely difficult" dealing with Top Rank.

But Arum is of the opinion that the pound-for-pound king employs delaying tactics because of his fear to lose his undefeated 47-0 record.

"It's not about the money, it's about he is obsessed with not losing," he said. "He's afraid to lose because he doesn't wanna fight southpaws and certainly not fast southpaws who can punch."

Mayweather's strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, who is formerly a part of Team Pacquiao, also pinned the blame on Arum for the lull in sealing the deal in an interview with New York Daily News.

Arum quickly dismissed the accusations, saying that Ariza has not been part of the negotiations and is not privy with the progress of their agreement.

"He is reaching out because I think he knows Mayweather that Mayweather isn't gonna do the fight," he said. "Now they have to look for a scapegoat. And the scapegoat is the promoter on the other side, Bob Arum." - RAF, GMA News