Macau — Unseen hands have been doing the rounds to make the super fight starring Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather finally happen sometime in the first half of 2015.
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum told reporters on Tuesday that “(US television) networks are actively moving” to pave the way for the most lucrative fight in history to take place.
Arum, however, mentioned the name of Showtime chief Les Moonves as a major player in the secret talks being held to make the megabuck matchup a reality.
“I am talking to responsible people who are talking to the Mayweather people and these are people who have the ability to move ahead and make it happen,” said Arum.
Arum said the fight can take place anywhere in the US or even here in Macau but made it clear that he feels something different this time.
The gigantic Cowboys Stadium, which hosted two Pacquiao fights in 2010, could be the perfect venue although it will be too early to count out Las Vegas and Macau, which is often described as ‘Las Vegas on steroids’ owing to its money-pulling power mainly from Chinese gamblers.
“I am more enthused right now but all I am saying is that I am more optimistic than I have ever been,” Arum said, making sure he won’t get the public’s impression that the fight everyone’s talking about is going to happen.
Besides, Arum said Chris Algieri is out there and determined to ruin everything when they get it on Sunday noon at the Cotai Arena.
Moments later when a cast of mediamen descended into Pacquiao’s training session, the Filipino star was a bit reluctant to dig deep into the possibility, saying he has to “get past Algieri first before talking about another fight.”
But it was obvious Pacquiao, who turns 36 on Dec. 17, is thrilled that the Mayweather talks are taking center stage again.
Asked if he personally believes that a showdown with the brash US fighter will take place, Pacquiao horsed around with his response.
“The thing with Mayweather is sometimes it’s bad (weather) and sometimes it’s good weather,” he said.
Should a deal fall into place for such a massive match, both fighters are expected to earn the fattest paychecks of their respective careers but when pressed to comment on what would entail it to happen, Arum declined to go into the nitty-gritty of the finances.
“No, I don’t want to talk about that,” he said, knowing it is the most touchy of all the issues surrounding the bout.
But Arum insists he won’t be sending much of his time drooling over what that fight can bring them.
Besides, Algieri, regardless of the lopsided odds, remains a live underdog.
If Pacquiao performs miserably against Algieri, the Mayweather duel goes out the window.
“Depends on Manny winning the fight,” added Arum.