Boxing fans are still hoping that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will eventually collide in their long-proposed super fight next year, but famed promoter Bob Arum is not too optimistic about the showdown.
Previous reports indicated that Mayweather will be open to facing the winner of the upcoming World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title showdown between Pacquiao and Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 at Venetian Resort in Macau, China.
Mayweather, who improved to 47-0 this year after winning twice against Marcos Maidana, said in September that he will consider facing Pacquiao in his next fight in May next year.
"I don't know who I'm fighting next, but I plan to return in May," Mayweather said. "I'm staying busy. If the Manny Pacquiao fight presents itself, let's make it happen."
However, Arum said in a recent interview with BoxingScene that Mayweather will not face Pacquiao even if he wins against Algieri, reiterating that the former pound-for-pound king is not interested in putting his unblemished record on the line against the Filipino boxing icon.
"How can I talk for Mayweather?" Arum said. "As far as the Pacquiao fight for Mayweather, as much as a lot of people surrounding that would want it to happen, Floyd Mayweather is reluctant to fight Manny Pacquiao. Period. If people don't see that by now, they ain't never gonna see it."
And as for the possible Mayweather vs Algieri fight, Arum is also unsure about it, pointing out that even if Algieri wins against Pacquiao, he will have to face 'Pacman' in a rematch immediately, but he conceded that it is up to the New Yorker's camp to decide if offered to face Mayweather.
"As far as if Chris Algieri wins the fight against Manny Pacquiao, there is a provision in the contract for a rematch," Arum said. "If he beats Manny in a rematch, and Floyd wants to fight (Algieri), that's none of my business. That's up to (Algieri's) promoter, Joe DeGuardia, and the Mayweather camp to discuss."
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