With talks ongoing between Top Rank’s Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer, the world awaits a possible deal for a 2010 mega fight between junior welterweight champ and WBO welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what would be boxing’s biggest fight in years.
However, we’ve learned today that there’s a little issue that has popped up as it relates to the Pacman. According to InsideSports, Pacquiao is keen on running for a congressional seat in Sarangani. Now that’s all fine and dandy and given Pacquiao’s penchant for helping out his fellow countrymen, it’s a logical next step…after boxing!
Unfortunately, Pacquiao is pretty firm on the decision to do so while he’s still an active fighter. We’ve seen other fighters handle separate careers while competing in the ring, such as Oscar De La Hoya who was also running his promotional company. But looking back, it took Oscar away from the ring more often than not and that would be a very bad thing for the sport.
So what’s the possibility that he runs and loses? Rex Salud, Pacquiao’s longtime friend tells InsideSports that there’s a good chance he’ll be unopposed and win if his opponent withdraws.
Sigh.
Bob Arum says that if the congressional running affects the Mayweather fight, he may instead return on March 13 at the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium.
If the fight against Mayweather doesn’t happen on the basis of a political run, then shame on Manny.
To deny boxing a fight of this magnitude would be a tragedy. It doesn't take an expert to realize the potential global awareness and financial explosion that this fight would bring. It's not often that we have the two best fighters in boxing on a collision course and it's simply too good not to happen.
Still nothing is for certain and as such, negotiations continue but we’ll have to keep a close eye on Manny’s run in Sarangani. For the sake of the sport, let’s hope it doesn’t come to fruition…at least not yet.
Source: examiner.com
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