MANILA, Philippines - Mismong ang World Boxing Council ang nagpipilit na maitakda ang super fight nina Manny Pacquiao at Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Sa kanilang official website, iginiit ng WBC na resolbahan ng 35-anyos na si Pacquiao at ng 37-anyos na si Mayweather ang anumang isyu para maplantsa ang kanilang inaabangang laban.
“After Floyd Mayweather clearly defeated Marcos Maidana in their much anticipated rematch, there have been countless news stories, articles and statements in the press regarding the fight that has been in the makings for several years. Clearly and simply – the world wants to see Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao,” sabi ng Mexico-based sanctioning body sa kanilang official statement.
Tatlong beses bumagsak ang negosasyon para sa Pacquiao-Mayweather mega showdown mula sa isyu sa hatian sa premyo hanggang sa pagsailalim sa isang Olympic-style random blood at drug testing.
Matapos ang kanyang muling pagdomina kay Maidana sa kanilang nakaraang rematch ay sinabi ni Mayweather na payag siyang labanan si Pacquiao sa 2015.
“Mayweather, the WBC Welterweight and Superwelterweight champion of the world, has been the pound-for-pound driving force of the sport in recent years, while Pacquiao is an iconic champion who has reestablished the interest of the boxing world after his dramatic loss in his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez,” wika ng WBC.
Nauna nang iniluklok ng WBC si Pacquiao bilang No. 1 contender para sa welterweight title ni Mayweather.
Ngunit nabigo ang boxing body na gawin ang Filipino world eight-division bilang mandatory challenger sa undefeated American.
Ayon sa WBC rules, ang isang kampeon ay dapat magdepensa ng kanyang korona isang beses sa loob ng 120 araw. Ngunit maaaring hindi laban sa No. 1 contender. (RC)