Arum: Pacquiao-Mayweather a culture clash

Boxer Manny Pacquiao, center, of the Philippines, trainer Freddie Roach, right, and promoter Bob Arum pose for photos as they arrive for a news conference. AP FILE PHOTO

For Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. goes beyond boxing.

“It’s slowly developing into a culture clash,” Arum told Sky Sports News HQ.

“Floyd Mayweather is outstanding at marketing himself and in his own words represents ostentatious materialism. He talks about how much money he makes and the car he drives.”

Arum then described Pacquiao as more of a religious person and just wants to give back.

“Manny Pacquiao is dedicated to his Christian beliefs, all he’s accomplished is based on the will of God,” Arum said.

Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, pose for photos during a news conference, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP

MGM Grand Garden Arena will witness Arum’s culture clash when Pacquiao and Mayweather finally settle their beef in the WBC, WBO, WBA welterweight unification bout on May 2.

Arum added that Pacquiao feels that he has an obligation to give back to charity and that “people are picking up on the contrasts between the two young men.”

And contrast is again the name of the game for Arum as he believes that more Americans are rooting for Pacquiao.

“If Pacquiao wins, it’s a significant victory for Filipinos and a lot of people in the United States,” Arum said despite the fight being fought in Mayweather’s hometown of Las Vegas. RC