Arum to Floyd: Make the fight happen

MACAU – Bob Arum, like everybody else in the ballroom, can’t wait for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight Manny Pacquiao.

It’s been years now, three, four, five or more, that fight fans have waited for the fight.

At least twice, it almost did.

“I think the fight should happen now. Boxing fans deserve that fight. The fight has to happen. All the nonsense has to cease.

“Everybody should be working together to make that fight happen. There are no excuses anymore. I’ll be on my phone. Manny will be on his phone,” said Arum.

Once, a couple of years back, Pacquiao and Mayweather spoke briefly on the phone, and discussed the fight.

During that short conversation, Mayweather reportedly offered Pacquiao $40 million to do the fight. It’s a flat rate and Pacquiao would have none of the other revenues.

Nothing came out of the offer. That was the last time they spoke.

“We’re tired of it. Every place we go we’re asked when it’s going to happen. You cannot believe the number of times. From waiters, anybody,” said Arum.

“Enough is enough. Let’s just make the fight happen and let’s get it done the next fight for each fighter sometime the next six months of next year,” he added.

This time, Arum said “responsible people” are in talks to make it happen, and the Top Rank chief said he’s more excited now than he was three or four years ago.

“I wanted the fight. For me, I want the fight,” said Pacquiao.

“Are you mentally preparing for the fight now?” he was asked.

“It’s been a long time,” he said.