We’re not to the point where the UFC 142 talk is ramping up (that starts tomorrow, and it’s going to be good) so now is a good time to follow up on my story from the weekend about the PR battle between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. With Bob Arum having said that Manny vs. Floyd won’t happen on May 5 because of a cut suffered by Pacquiao back in November things appeared to have died down until after Floyd served his 90 day sentence in jail starting in June.
But then Manny Pacquiao went ahead and threw Bob Arum under the bus a bit when talking to PhilBoxing:
“I‘ve said this over and over before and I’m saying this again, I want Floyd Mayweather Jr. to be my next opponent and I haven’t changed my choice despite recent developments. … I am meeting with my promoter, Bob Arum on Tuesday and I will insist that the fight with Mayweather be given the preference (over) the four others in the list [Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Lamont Peterson] I will fight next.”
…
“It’s not really fair for some quarters to blame me if, in the long run, the fight wouldn’t push through. As I have also been saying many times before, I fight for the fans. I want the fans to be happy always.”
“Whoever the fans want me to fight, I will face him (in) the ring. I don’t choose (who to) fight. It is my promoter who does because it’s his job. My job is to fight, everybody must realize that.”
Today Floyd hit up Twitter with a few gems to continue pushing for the fight:
This isn’t the first time Floyd has stated publicly that he’s ready for the fight either. He made it quite clear in a video released a few months back.
Of course, part of the reason for this could be the backlash to reports that Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero is in final negotiations. Fans hated hearing that Floyd (fighting at 147 pounds as a welterweight) would dare fight a guy who has never fought over lightweight (other than one horrible fight at 138) and never held a legitimate title above 130 pounds. To top it off, he has been off over a year after having surgery on his shoulder.
This could be a way to make it seem like “well, you guys. I tried my best, now I pretty much have to fight Guerrero” even though there are many better options out there. Which isn’t to run down the very talented Guerrero, but rather to point out that he hasn’t proven that he deserves the shot. Then again, maybe the public pressure will finally get to everyone involved.
It has to happen eventually…
Right?