MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao laban kay Floyd Mayweather, Jr. sa Abril ng 2003?
Sa panayam ng BoxingScene.com kahapon, sinabi ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions na ang 35-anyos na si Mayweather ang kanilang unang iisipin para sa susunod na laban ng 33-anyos na si Pacquiao sa susunod na taon.
“The Mayweather fight is always the priority but we’ve been disappointed so often. Obvioulsy, we’re looking,” ani Arum. “Pacquiao wants to fight again by the end of April and we’re looking at other opponents.”
Tatlong beses nabalam ang negosasyon para sa Pacquiao-Mayweather mega fight.
Ito ay dahilan na rin sa mga isyu sa hatian sa prize money at pagsailalim sa isang Olympic-style random drug at urine testing nina Pacquiao at Mayweather.
Sasagupain ni Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 knockouts) ang 39-anyos na si Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) sa isang non-title welterweight fight sa Disyembre 8 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ang huling tinalo ni Mayweather, Jr. (43-0-0, 26 KOs) ay si Miguel Cotto via unanimous decision noong Mayo 5 para sa WBA Super World light middleweight crown.
Ang Pacquiao-Mayweather super bout din ang inaasahan ni trainer Freddie Roach na mangyayari sa 2013.
“Obviously, Mayweather’s the goal and would be the super fight. It’s the one we want but he’s running the other way right now, so if he’s not there, guys like Brandon Rios, they’re up and comers,” sabi ni Roach.
“They’re in our way and can make for really exciting fights. It could be next but you know obviously if we get Mayweather in the ring we’d love to have it,” dagdag pa ng trainer.