Pacman-Floyd Jr. bout can still happen -- Arum

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, and yes, even Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s own trainer, aren’t about to allow themselves be caught in this latest antic pulled off by the loud mouth boxing champion. Arum and Roger Mayweather, the uncle and trainer of Floyd Jr., both believe that the unbeaten fighter from Grand Rapids, Michigan is not true to his words. "You’ll never know with Floyd," said Arum, reacting to widespread reports about Floyd Jr’s indiscreet disclosure that he’s ready to take a `year or a couple of years off boxing.’ "Sometimes, he (Mayweather) just talks for the sake of talking. If Floyd plans to take a year or two off, we should be seeing a formal press release soon." And proof that he doesn’t believe Mayweather will be standing by his threat, Arum said negotiations are still ongoing about a November 13 showdown pitting Floyd Jr. and reigning pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines. The Top Rank big boss is constantly in touch with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer as they silently try to work out a deal regarding the fight the world wants to see. Schaefer is negotiating in behalf of Mayweather. The controversial statement was made by Mayweather over the weekend when he told reporters present during an appearance at the Make A Wish charity affair that he’s taking a year or a couple of years off boxing. The response was in reaction to a question regarding a possible ring encounter with Pacquiao before the year ends. The former Olympian attended the event to grant the wish of a young fan named Armando Carral to see his favorite boxer in the flesh. Carral is suffering from Hodgkins disease. Unless, the unbeaten fighter corroborates his earlier announcement, his trainer is dismissing the reports as nothing but a joke. Money, and lots of them, according to Roger Mayweather will dictate Floyd Jr. to take the Pacquiao fight. "What makes money makes sense," said his long-time trainer. “I’m sure there are other fights out there, but since that’s the biggest fight for Floyd, the biggest fight out there is Pacquiao." The 31-year old newly-elected Congressman of Sarangani has kept mum about the latest development in the race to make the fight projected to be the biggest and richest in prizefighting history. On Friday (Saturday in Manila), Pacquiao attended the banquet dinner of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City and personally received the 2009 Boxer of the Year award and Fighter of the Decade honor bestowed on him by the biggest boxing writers’ group in the world. He was also at ringside and watched the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman World Boxing Association (WBA) super-welterweight fight at the new Yankee Stadium. Pacquiao is now bound for Los Angeles together with wife Jinkee and their kids for a well deserved, one-week vacation. Arum said there are several options left for Pacquiao in case the fight with Mayweather doesn’t push through, given the new twist that unfolded in the recent days. But in the end, the Top Rank big boss believes the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will be made. "I’m optimistic," said Arum as quoted in PhilBoxing. "I am sure that will come clear this coming week." - RCJ, GMANews.TV