Arum: Final details being ironed out
FOR PROMOTER Bob Arum, the major obstacles have been tackled to clear the way for the dream bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
He said negotiations are down to the final details of the contract for the fight which is expected to be held May 2 in Las Vegas and generate $300 million in revenues.
The 83-year-old Arum, already enshrined in boxing’s Hall of Fame, told The New York Post Friday that the issues are being narrowed down to “extraordinarily small points.”
He added that he’s optimistic the deal will be forged in the next two days, with the announcement likely to happen on Sunday, the day of the Super Bowl.
“Everybody is doing the right thing. We’re looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the next couple of days it will get done,” Arum said.
Arum’s optimism came after Mayweather visited and talked with Pacquiao at a Miami hotel on Thursday.
Arum, however, disputed a TMZ Sports report Friday night that Pacquiao-Mayweather is a done deal.
“No, I’m aware of the report, but there are still some contractual issues to work out. It’s close but not done yet,” Arum told nydailynews.com.
This was collaborated by Chris De Blasio, spokesperson of Showtime, which holds a multimillion fight contract over Mayweather.
“Floyd Mayweather has agreed to the fight, but there are deal points still to work out but progress is being made,” DeBlasio told the Daily News.
Pacquiao, who has returned to Los Angeles from Miami, will be attending the National Prayer Breakfast set at Washington Hilton on Feb. 5.
US President Barack Obama will be a speaker while Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, will be attendance in the annual event being hosted by the US Congress. Roy Luarca, AFP
