Arum hopes to convince Floyd Jr to fight Pacman

Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum said that his, and Golden Boy Promotions counterpart Richard Schaefer's number one priority, is to convince Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight Manny Pacquiao on November 13. Arum said they will give Mayweather until middle of this month to sign the contract and finally seal the deal on the fight the world wants to happen. The Top Rank big boss said now that all issues – purse split and the random drug testing protocol that both camps agreed on – regarding the fight have been resolved, and it is all up to Mayweather whether he wants to fight Pacquiao or not. "The question is whether Mayweather is willing to go into the ring this year. It's up to him. He may not want to do it. If Mayweather wants to fight in November, I believe the fight will be made," said Arum.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Arum said that they would still give Mayweather enough time to decide if he would accept the seven-time world division champion's challenge or not. "The only issue is whether he wants to fight in November (or not)." If November is not an ideal time for Mayweather, Arum said they are open for a May 2011 meeting between two of the world's explosive fighters. And if Mayweather really wanted to take a break from prizefighting, after his consecutive victories against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and American "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Arum said that Pacquiao is ready to take on Antonio Margarito or have a rematch against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in November. Pacquiao is busy fulfilling his duties as representative of the lone district of Sarangani province and let Arum negotiate the fight. He is preparing for the opening of the Philippines' 15th Congress later this month. – RCJ/Jon Perez, GMANews.TV