Bob Arum is beginning to lose hope on getting a deal in place for a Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather showdown in 2015, a far cry from the excitement he had shown just a few weeks ago.
In an article that appeared in The Desert Sun, the 83-year-old Arum told reporters covering a Tim Bradley headliner this weekend that the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to fade.
“It’s hard to be so pessimistic because there’s such optimism from our side, on the Pacquiao side,” Arum said.
Despite Arum’s much-publicized efforts to make things happen, it appears Mayweather is unperturbed, “But as the silence becomes defining from the Mayweather side, I become less and less optimistic. I don’t know what’ll take to get Mayweather in the ring with Pacquiao.”
A few days ago, British Amir Khan was reportedly been assured of a clash with Mayweather provided that he beats US fighter Devon Alexander convincingly in their match Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
Mayweather and Khan share the same manager, Al Haymon, and are both under contract with Showtime.
Three weeks ago, Pacquiao and Arum came out smoking after the Chris Algieri match in Macau, challenging Mayweather to set aside their differences so that public get what they desire.
Instead of voicing out his opinion on the challenge, the 37-year-old Mayweather (47-0 with 26 KOs) has opted to remain silent, a trait that is so very much unlike him.
Pacquiao (57-5-2 with 38 KOs), who turns 36 this Wednesday, is being planned to return to the ring in April in case a duel with Mayweather fails to materialize.