Mayweather odds-on to beat Pacquiao if Arum gives go ahead
Published:Based on comments made by Floyd Mayweather on Twitter, there is an exceedingly strong possibility that his eagerly anticipated fight with Manny Pacquiao will finally take place on May 5th.
Discussions have been ongoing for close to two years between the pair, with Mayweather initially thought to be the boxer attempting to duck the fight.
However, it now seems that Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum is the one looking to delay negotiations and reportedly would prefer the fight date to be closer to the end of May or even in early June, when a new venue on the Las Vegas Strip will be available for use.
But with Mayweather due to begin a 90-day jail term on June 1st, this is impractical.
It is arguably in Arum’s interests as a businessman to prevent the super showdown, as he personally could make more through Pacquiao defending his WBO welterweight title against lesser opposition.
This is because it will be clear in writing what Mayweather is making from the fight and Pacquiao will demand a similar sum, which is far greater money than he is likely to have been paid for his other recent successes over the likes of Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Mayweather tweeted: “I’m ready to fight Pacquiao 5/5/12. Bob Arum knows the date can’t change.”
If the welterweight clash does finally go ahead, Mayweather has been installed as slight favourite in the boxing odds at 8/15 to extend his undefeated record to 43 professional bouts.
Pacquiao was not overly impressive in beating Marquez in his latest in-ring appearance, but his tendency to move forward and force the pace could give him the edge if a points decision is needed to decide the outcome.
It is 6/4 that Pacquaio beats Mayweather, while the draw, which would certainly be an ironic result given the length of time waited for the fight to eventually go ahead, can be backed at 25/1.
