GBP chief’s reluctance to deal with Arum hampers Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao might have to ditch his current promoter, Bob Arum, in order to arrange a megabuck fight with Floyd Mayweather.

That seems to be the only scenario after the top honcho of Golden Boy Promotions – which leads in setting up Mayweather’s fights – publicly reaffirmed his unwillingness to deal with Arum and Top Rank Inc.

In a report by Jake Donovan of boxingscene.com, GPB chief executive officer Richard Schaefer said working with rival Arum will be the last thing he’ll consider.

“I have no interest whatsoever to work with Bob Arum,” said Schaefer.

While there is no love lost between Schaefer and Arum – whose GBP and Top Rank are currently two of the biggest boxing promotional firms in the world – the two had managed to set aside their rift before to make fights pitting their boxers.

Boxing observers believe GBP and Top Rank are willing to work together on Mayweather-Pacquiao, which could go down as the richest fight in the sport’s history.

Even GBP founder and president Oscar De La Hoya recently tweeted about his willingness to get on the same boat as Arum to make fights.

Mr. Arum on behalf of my family and I, we wish you happy holidays and a great year. Let's make these fights for the fans. @SHOsports @HBO

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) December 15, 2013

But that isn’t the case for Schaefer.

“I don't know Oscar said that. The fact is, (Arum) has nothing left and we don't need to deal with guy,” he added.

Pacquiao, who turned 35 Tuesday, is scheduled to return to the ring on April 12 after battering Brandon Rios in Macau last month. Apart from a showdown with Mayweather, the Filipino is eyeing Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley or Ruslan Provodnikov as possible foes.

The World Boxing Council has recently installed Pacquiao as its number contender to Mayweather’s WBC welterweight title, fueling talks that a fight between boxing’s biggest stars is close to being made. Mayweather, however, still isn’t keen on it, saying fighting Pacquiao “doesn’t make sense.”

Schaefer, for his part, shares the same sentiment.

“Manny Pacquiao for Floyd Mayweather at this point is an opponent. I'm not going to talk about that because it's not going to happen. I have no interest to deal with or talk about Bob Arum,” he stressed.