Don King could hold key to Pacquiao-Mayweather fight -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

There is a new major player in the bold bid to put together what could be the richest fight of all time.

Don King, the out-of-this-world promoter sporting an electric-shock hairdo, told the Los Angeles Times a few days ago that he has what it takes to make the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight happen.

Of course, King said he will have to join hands with another power broker, his long-time nemesis Bob Arum, who promotes the Filipino star.

“Me and Arum can do this fight with Pacquiao in a flash,” King told Lance Pugmire of the Times.

Arum was obviously tickled pink by King’s remarks especially after the Top Rank chief had a very nasty experience with the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions (GBP). GBP has been representing Mayweather the past couple of years.

“King’s the most persuasive guy I've ever met. With enough time, he’ll get this kid [Mayweather] to come over. Don’s no fool. He knows how to make a fight,” said Arum.

“If King were ever involved, it would give a real impetus to make this fight happen. All those little details that have stopped us before, King doesn’t give [a thing] about. All he cares about is the end result, making the most money possible,” said Arum, who had teamed up with King in the 1975 epic Thrilla in Manila.

Last week in Florida, King and Mayweather spent some time together and both discussed what lies ahead.

King denied they had already discussed a particular fight but hinted of a possible tieup in the event a Pacquiao fight is made sometime in 2011.

“I’m just happy to be seeing [Mayweather], he came out last week [to Florida] because he said he wanted to talk, and I'm hoping we'll get it together,” said King.

“He’ll say it to me on his own when he wants, ‘Everybody’s talking about this Pacquiao fight,’ and I’ll tell him, ‘Yes, we can do this, that and the other.’” He can bring it up himself. I’m just waiting, being very patient. The power of understanding people is important. I believe he can make the most money with me, because we’ll show his dignity and pride, and stop people from throwing stones at him.”

"If anybody can do it, it's Don King."I know my man Don,” added Arum.

Pacquiao and Mayweather were supposed to face each other on November 13 but a deal was not reached between the two parties, prompting Arum to tap Antonio Margarito of Mexico as Pacquiao’s next foe.

Source: mb.com.ph