Harry How - Getty Images
Young Canelo Alvarez may get the chance of a lifetime on May 5 against Floyd Mayweather. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions says that Canelo Alvarez is the leading candidate to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr in a 150-pound catchweight bout on May 5 in Las Vegas, according to David Mayo, and both Schaefer and Leonard Ellerbe had choice words for Bob Arum, further pushing the idea that it's Arum who is doing the most to stop the fight from happening:
"Look what happened. When Pacquiao fought his last fight, we said Mayweather was going to fight on May 5, and Arum said Pacquiao wasn't going to be available, it would have to be in June. Then, when it looked like Mayweather wasn't going to be available in May, suddenly, Pacquiao was going to fight in May. And now, suddenly, Mayweather is going to fight in May, guess what? Pacquiao isn't available until June.
"Who is he trying to fool? More and more, I think people are starting to realize he's full of shit."
Arum says that Pacquiao is still recovering from cuts suffered against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12, an excuse that just isn't flying with anybody because for one thing, the cuts weren't that bad, and for another thing, it's pretty much unheard of for someone to need six months to heal from minor wounds like those, or frankly from any cut.
Ellerbe pretty much echoed Schaefer's sentiments:
"It's so funny how that guy waffles about every damn thing. I don't need to take up my time talking about him. At first, it was 'Pacquiao's fighting in May,' and now he says Pacquiao won't be available until June now. Imagine that."
Fact is, Arum is digging a pretty deep hole this time. Never before has he come off so much like he's desperately making a poor excuse. He said Manny could fight in May. That's when it looked like Mayweather wouldn't be available in May. And I know I'm repeating Schaefer and Ellerbe, but it's just the way it is. Now that Mayweather is available, Manny can't fight until June.
It just isn't going well for the Top Rank PR machine right now. I'm not trying to be biased, I'm really not -- but that's just the state of things as they stand today. And nobody is buying the idea that Arum is going to seriously pursue the fight for November, either, which he keeps saying as a way to maintain some goodwill or whatever the purpose of that is.
Anyway, Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KO) is ready to go for May 5, as he called out Mayweather on November 26 after predictably dealing with faded Kermit Cintron, and is planning to meet with Golden Boy in Los Angeles next week. His trainer and manager, Eddie Reynoso, told Sal Rodriguez of Record (translated text via Miguel Rivera of BoxingScene.com) that they're good to go if the deal is suitable:
"We are ready to get down to 150 pounds and make the fight. The people at Golden Boy will speak to to us next week when we travel to Los Angeles for a meeting. It is certainly a dangerous fight, but we can not miss the opportunity to face the best fighter in the world. So we'll consider the offer and if it suits us, we'll take the fight."
It looks like Mayweather vs Alvarez is going to happen. Robert Guerrero appears to be a distant second in the race (which would once again make Arum's Mayweather prediction powers pretty lousy), and the only other name anyone is throwing around is Miguel Cotto, and that's total speculation that just might make sense if both sides wanted to do it, but not something that is being discussed by Golden Boy or Mayweather.
0 recs | 70 comments
Okay, I’m not going to mention Arum. But I am going to ask a question about Manny. Manny Pacquiao must know how this all looks. We all know that if he truly wanted to fight Mayweather he would dictate terms to the promoter. Why doesn’t he do so? Manny has losses on his record, so his lack of motivation can’t be due to a 0. So what is it? Why won’t he demand this fight?
Apprentice - January 7, 2012
I’m not so sure the perception in the United States affects him all that much. He makes money here, but he doesn’t live here, doesn’t vacation here, and probably doesn’t track the press all that closely here. Keep in mind that this is a guy who has left millions on the table in endorsements over the years because random members of his team would reach out to companies and individually try to pitch deals. As long as he’s got millions in his pocket, he’s not that concerned how a nation half a world away perceives him (and by most estimates, the USA actually likes him quite a bit anyway).
His coverage in the Philippine press is much different than it is in America. In America, the only questions Floyd and Manny get are “Why aren’t you fighting this guy?” In the Philippines, he’s covered with a TMZ-like zeal. There is news coverage of his womanizing, children out of wedlock, the fact he bought a yacht while a neighboring district lost thousands of people to flash flooding, his controversial stance on contraception, etc, etc. I mean, this guy has his own TV show where he often gives away money and cars from his own pocket…on network television! Imagine, Tiger Woods’s fame, multiple that by 10 and now imagine he gives away cars on a weekly television program on CBS. He is pervasive there, and I think his relationship with his countrymen is much more nuanced than folks here in the West would think. He gets raked over the coals frequently for his poor political prowess, his carousing, his bad spending habits, his shady stream of associates, and everything else you can imagine. Whereas it makes a great HBO or GQ story to an unfamiliar audience to discuss his ambitions for president, I think very few in the Philippines actually think he’d be good at it. Their current president is trying to weed out the corruption of the last administration — there are real political issues that folks worry about over there, and Manny Pacquiao is not high on that list.
Manny wants to fight Floyd probably as much as Floyd wants to fight Manny right now. But over there, it’s less emphasized relative to everything in his life that gets exposure. His not fighting Floyd is just another hiccup in the ongoing Manny Pacquiao drama, and his audience there doesn’t care about it in the same way that it does in America. Beating Floyd wouldn’t validate his status there like it would in America. It would be a great victory for sure, and would come with endless coverage and parades, but it ain’t like he isn’t already the most famous Filipino since Ferdinand Marcos. Dude is probably more famous globally than Cory Aquino ever was, and she was Time’s Person of the Year.
Competent Laurence Cole - January 7, 2012
That’s a very good insight. Thank you for that.
Okay, so his audience in the Phillipines doesn’t care… what about him? Does he want to prove he is the best in the world? I think Mayweather is more worried about his 0 than he is of proving he is the absolute best. But what about Manny? What is his motivation?
Apprentice - January 7, 2012
I’m being an armchair psychologist here, but I doubt he worries about proving he’s the best. Who’s he really proving it to anyway? America and the UK? He’s been the #1 pound for pound ranked fighter by the Ring for several years now. I assume his mentality is, “Why do I need to prove it? I’ve been anointed the best for a while already.” I also don’t think he gets that question as frequently there; for all his personal qualities that divide folks, the country is not divided on him as a sportsman — he’s a national hero. His fame in the Philippines is unrivaled and fighting Mayweather can’t elevate his legacy all that much, even though it does huge things for his legacy here. Perhaps he’d be more motivated if he lived here, but he doesn’t.
Competent Laurence Cole - January 7, 2012
This answers my question. Thanks.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
Great comment.
BoxAnne - January 7, 2012
Good point. Thx for posting
RRod806 - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
this is awesome. great stuff.
The Twillness - January 7, 2012
as a pinoy
I completely agree with this
imposibol - January 8, 2012
Cory Aquino ????????????
Boss Man - January 8, 2012
Given that I don’t really give a rat’s anus about a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, I confess that his silence seems to me to be getting a bit thunderous, but this seems typical of him in general. Pacquiao is, I guess, 100% nothing but business.
I think that an Alvarez fight would be just awful, but I’d love to see Guerrero against Mayweather.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
You know what? I don’t really care about the fight per se. I just want this thing settled. I don’t like the boxing panorama, at least here in this part of the world, consumed by this thing. I just want to be able to move on.
Apprentice - January 7, 2012
“Consumed by this thing” is exactly right. I was excited by it 2 or 3 years ago, but now I wish that Pacquiao and Mayweather would just go find jobs.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
Teal ones, I mean, where you come home at the end of every day feeling like you’ve accomplished nothing.
Wait, they’ve got those.
Where you come home at the end of everyday hating yourself.
No, that’s not them either (maybe).
Where you come home every day having accomplished nothing, hating yourself, and not having made any money.
There you go. That’s what I meant.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
“Real,” not “teal.” A teal job would at least be pretty, and would set off my towels.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
Not that I’m a fan of either fight, but I’d go with Canelo. He’s a bigger name which makes it an easy promotion.
Guerrero lost any momentum he had with his injury, and he doesn’t have an established fan base. But you’re right.about one thing……Canelo will be lucky to win a round.
DPlainview - January 7, 2012
Alvarez is certainly, and I think a bit unfairly, the vastly bigger name.
I guess I’m just a little dazzled by Guerrero, because I thought Katsidis would eventually have him for dinner, but I thought Guerrero was terrific in that fight.
I think he’s got a lot of smarts as well as talent. But I guess you’re right that he may have lost whatever minimal momentum he had.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
Perception is 99% reality
Boss Man - January 7, 2012
I'm with you
And if he puts up a good showing, this could be his Azumah Nelson vs. Salvador Sanchez moment. Even if he gets destroyed, it won’t hurt his stock in Mexico as long as he takes it like a man, and if he does well, it could really raise his profile stateside. On the other hand, there’s very little chance Mayweather would lose this one with all of Canelo’s defensive holes.
Brickhaus - January 7, 2012
I believe Guerrero would probably get knocked out in 6 rounds. This is a man who made Salido look like Mayweather. I’m a huge Salido fan, but he isn’t a master technician in there. Salido landed lead right hands at will against Guerrero.
36_chambers_ofdeatH - January 7, 2012
Options for Manny
What are the options for Manny if he’s not happy about the whole situation? Hang the gloves? Because I’m pretty sure he can’t leave TR without an humongous lawsuit.
MontrealBoxing - January 7, 2012
That would be great,
And I’m sure if that were to happen, it would probably eclipse this who Manny -Floyd situation.
Clove_art - January 7, 2012
He has tons of options
What are you talking about?
He will have four options to consider next week and another six to try to get Mayweather in the ring with him.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
what are the options?
I totally understand that Manny may very well have to fight within the realm of TR because of a contract negotiation. I get it if he is loyal to and trusts Arum. However, the consequence of the whole situation is his reputation. Is there some reason why Pacquiao is not answering questions? I don’t know if he is bound by TR to hush up.
RRod806 - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
He's been pretty clear about who and what he wants
And how much he wants for it.
The problem in boxing is that no matter what you want, if the other guy or guys don’t want it, fuggetaboutit.
See below
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
This is actually a good fight with some intrigue built in. Will watch it.
cyke - January 7, 2012
manny is the voice of the people..but cant be the voice of himself? smh..
Vicmatic1 - January 7, 2012
I like Alvarez, and I think he’s going to become a very good (not great) fighter. But this is just such a huge step up in class that I don’t give him much of a shot. It’s pretty much a no-lose from his perspective, though; he gets a huge boost in visibility from the fight, a loss is expected, and a win would basically make him Quetzacoatl.
Verklemptomaniac - January 7, 2012
Why doesn't America view Mayweather the same way the Philippines view Pacquio?
el javi - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Because hes an absolute dick who nobody can relate to.
Your average person on the street doesnt go round burning $100 bills and beating women.
Shitali Klitschko - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Bingo! We have a winner.
DrRck - January 7, 2012
Precisely, I can’t buy a Rolls Royce on a whim. I can’t even afford the payments on a thought about a Rolls on a whim
Joe Landry - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Exactly, Floyd puts that stuff on the forefront, but Manny does the same thing and the US media chooses not paint that picture about Manny. Truth is Manny probably has a ton more money than Floyd but its all about public perception.
Clove_art - January 7, 2012
Ah yes its all perception
there’s no relation to the shitty things he has done in his life…like the whole woman beating case he just accepted a plea bargain for and will now go to jail for.
Sammlung - January 7, 2012
True, but all the things u just talked about just happened in the past few months. Floyd’s horrible public image have around for years.
Clove_art - January 7, 2012
.— Eric Leroux, fighters.com (Rebellion Media)
BoxAnne - January 8, 2012
Some folks do relate to Floyd...
He is kinda like a 2003 rap star. Hence his close friendship with 50 Cent. Floyd has a fan base but it’s probably better represent in a vin diagram of boxing purists and people who still enjoy G-Unit… Definitely no a huge demographic.
Clove_art - January 7, 2012
This is true. Floyd has his fans, lots of them. But he could never have been the American idol fighter with the route he chose to take to stardom.
Scott Christ - January 7, 2012
So so true.
The only thing that matters to Floyd is Floyd.
Clove_art - January 7, 2012
Yeah. Gangsta's
Boss Man - January 7, 2012
It's a big mistake to view Floyd as just some Gangsta Wanna-be
He is a very smart business man that make millions against the odds. I remember hearing Larry Merchant say years ago that he could never be a PPV star because no one liked him. He not only makes money from the fight, he makes money from everything, including the hot dogs. He figured something out a long time ago.
Craig111 - January 7, 2012
He also figured out that fighting Pacquiao is not in his immediate best interest
Thus he has made no efforts to do so.
http://www.boxingscene.com/team-mayweather-member-says-too-soon-manny—48236
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
You have no credibility with me
after the PPV fiasco you invented. LOL
Craig111 - January 8, 2012
HBO never confirmed the number BTW.
Nor have they confirmed TR’s for that matter.
So as I wrote then and I wrote now, neither one is official.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
BTW
Since you only comment as fanboy for Floyd and on nothing else of substance, you never had any credibitlity with me.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
HBO is a PUBLIC COMPANY (traded in the NY Stock exchange) and is regulated by the SEC under the Sec Act 1933 and Sex Exchange Act 1934. These acts are well known in the financial world.
It means that every YEAR Time Warner (HBO parent company) has file a 10-k (a report of company’s financial statements AUDITED BY INDEPENDENT CPA) and ever QUARTER they must file quarterly statements called 10-Q. SIMILAR reports must be given to SHAREHOLDERS. Needless to say MARK TAFFET (considered an INSIDER) cannot release phony numbers because it could result in an inflated STOCK PRICE. They can be civil and criminally liable for misrepresentation or fraud (includes up to 20 years in prison, fined up to 5 millions dollars, i.e See Martha Stewart)
THATS WHY YOU DONT SEE MARK TAFFET ATTACHING HIS NAME TO ANY MAYWEATHER ORTIZ PPV number
pakinpower - January 10, 2012
Serious question: If Buboy said, “Yeah I don’t think Manny will fight Floyd next,” would the reaction be:
1. Here’s a serious quote from a key member of Team Pacquiao!
or
2. Who cares what Buboy says?
Scott Christ - January 8, 2012
I don't think it will be a shocker...
Especially since most people are accepting the fact it won’t happen.
Boxing fans will relate to option 2, but if the media heard this it could be perceived as option1.
Clove_art - January 9, 2012
Oh, I never said that. In fact, I have given him great credit for developing a new and superb busisnee
model. But gangstas do make up a part of his fandom so part of the model is to act like them.
Boss Man - January 8, 2012
Let's see
Pacquiao- Spends a good amount of money helping out the unfortunate in the Philippines and is a nice goofy guy.
Mayweather- Blows all his money on shit he doesn’t need and has multiple lawsuits involving him beating a woman.
If Mayweather wasn’t such a dick maybe America would view him the same way as Pacquiao.
av1o3 - January 7, 2012
After all the back and forth bs , Mayweather vs. Alvarez and Pacquiao Vs. Bradley would be solid fights.
sarangrat - January 7, 2012
At least Alvarez picks on men like Solis
Boss Man - January 7, 2012
I know Alvarez isn’t quite as slow as I once thought, and Mayweather isn’t as young as he once was, but holy shit, is this a mismatch in speed. The Ortiz fight intrigued me even though the inexperience v.s. craftiness matter was always going to doom poor Victor. This one is better played out in a video game, but sure, people will buy it.
El Destruyo - January 7, 2012
This fight would be a mismatch in very way but size
And possibly power. But if Pacquiao or Martinez isn’t an option, this is still the fight I’d next most like to see.
Brickhaus - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I would as well but so far there is more in the air about Guerrero than Canelo
See boxing scene. It is obvious that Robert has already had considerable conversations with GB about fighting Floyd.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
Guerrero is more financially beneficial on its face
Im sure the ghost is offering better terms than even Ortiz. But long term, Floyd has to realize that Canelo, who could have a 15 year star career of he plays his cards right, makes Floyd more over the long run, and all he cares about is money. Canelo will happen if everyone wants it. It’s an easy win for Floyd, and it probably turns Canelo into a star even if he loses. Much the same way PAC doesn’t care about legacy because of his current outside influences, Floyd doesn’t either. He’s surrounded by yes men who tall him he’s the greatest, and he honestly probably thinks his public perception is better than it is. But while this might not be the case 10 years from now, right now what he cares about is the Benjamin’s. He probably make more fighting Alvarez than Pacquiao, and that’s unfortunately probably good enough for him.
Mayweather is slowing down too. He probably only has 2 or 3 decent fights left in him. Beating someone fairly likely to become a major star in the future might actually help his legacy with most years down the road than Beating Pacquiao. But Alvarez won’t demand 20 – 25 mil like Pac would. And evidently PAC just doesn’t care much either. It is what it is. I’m disappointed, but there’s nothing I can do. Unless they’re both just about ready to retire, the best business move is to fight asana guys as possible who look like threats but aren’t. And really, since Cotto, Pac’s strength of schedule has been no better than floyd’s.
Brickhaus - January 8, 2012 via mobile
All good points
I can’t speak for Floyd and nor from the looks of it can anybody else. I only kno what he hasn’t mentioned, asked for and/or requested negotiations to make happen; which is to fight Manny Pacquiao.
I think we have to simply realize that both men have so many profitable options every time they fight, they actually do ot need to ever meet each other, if that be their wish. That is a sad truth of boxing. Two men do not have top meet.
It is common knowledge (apparently) in the business that when Floyd has fresh money in his pocket, it is all but impossible to get him to do anything, whether it be fight at all (hence his once a year schedule) or when and who he chooses to fight. I have no reason to doubt that is true….since his ‘fresh’ money, when he does fight, is so great.
Manny I know a bit more about but let’s face it, no matter how big a eventual payday may await him with Floyd, he also has so many profitable options (and now Hennessey, State Produce etc) endorsements that he also need not fight Floyd…should it not happen.
I do think they will fight within the next twelve months but maybe not.
I am beginning not to care
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
I'm alteady there
Boss Man - January 8, 2012
Here are the facts.
Nobody at TR had any idea that Floyd would be rescheduled for incarceration.
Nor did the. MGM Grand for that matter.
There is no way that they could have.
The MGM Grand was looking for an event to fill their tentative hole. I say tentative because there was not a specific opponent named to fight Floyd and thus they were not fully committed to the May 5th date. Their job is to get the best event possible. So they reached out to TR and asked if and when Manny was set to fight again. They were told that Manny had not decided and that they would know after they had met with him in the next weeks to discuss four possibilities. That is where the MGM /Vegas situation was when Floyd made a deal with the DA to extend his freedom until after that date.
The next call that TR received was private….and directly from Floyd….madder than hell that TR was taking advantage of his sentencing and trying to take that date away from him. He was told that was absolutely not the case…and that it was the other way around; the MGM was contacting TR because they needed an event.
When Floyd called the top people at TR thought he was calling to say that now that he was free until June, he wanted to sit down and make the fight happen. But that is not why he called. He never mentioned anything about the fight or for that matter Pacquiao at all.. He just wanted TR to back off from ‘his’ date.
Those are the facts.
It was as immediate to those who received the call as it was up and down the latter that Floyd had separate plans, most likely plans that had already been discussed and/ or in place. They did not include Pacquaio.
The in house assumption is that Floyd is planning a showcase fight against Guerrero. An easy money fight before his incarceration.
As for TR and Manny, they have been in discussions with four fighters, all of whom have been discussed here and elsewhere. They are still on schedule to fly to the Philippines to hear what Manny wants …and which option he will pursue.
In other words, they remain exactly where they were before the last minute change at the DA’s office; working to get Manny the best fight and the most money possible.
I don’t know which way Manny will lean or decide. No one does for the moment. I have heard or read that he wants Mayweather. No surprise there. He has said it all along and he will most likely say it next week to Arum.
The problem ,is that Floyd has no stated interest…at this time….lest he would have said so.
He did not.
It is very hard to Make a fight with someone who does not want to make a fight with you. The best example I can think off here on the left coast in LA is if George Clooney told his super agent Bryan Lourd at CAA that he wanted to make a particular blockbuster but was to,d that the director and or actors that he wanted in the film were unavailable. He simply could not make the film he wanted. Period
My guess is that Manny fights Cotto for the most money all around. Marquez is a strong second and Bradley third. Peterson is a far fourth.
Stay tuned until after Floyds spring fling in the ring and his summer break. As well as Manny’s late spring
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
Do you agree that blame is to be spread among all parties, and not simply to one side or the other?
Scott Christ - January 8, 2012
All parties certainly
But I only have access to the one person who Floyd speaks to at Top Rank; the same one charged by his company to try to make the fight.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
BTW, if you have better info
Let me know.
Short of knowing what is on Floyd’s mind, something I personally would love, let me know.
pakinpower - January 8, 2012
If Jr. can fight
Alvarez
at 150lb. why can’t he fight Sergio Martinez at about the same weight?
Don From Prov - January 8, 2012
I think 150 and 154/5 is a big difference for Floyd. Especially when it’s Martinez.
I can’t fault Floyd for not wanting to fight Martinez at 154/5.
lcollins1 - January 8, 2012
Offer Martinez
152lb. and see how he reacts—
Don From Prov - January 9, 2012
floyd chose to portray himself the way he did. his semi-to outright-racist youtube diatribes/interviews and claims that HBO wanted to pay him slave money also didn’t help/gave him the persona of a guy that bites the hand that feeds.
the guy never sold out arenas, even when he was a world champ, unless he was fighting guys like DLH or Hatton. period.
theworldsoldestsport - January 8, 2012
he has fought 5 times in the last 5 years. but yet he is still a "superstar" its not like he won the world cup
el javi - January 8, 2012 via Android app
He beat top competition in those 5 years. Manny has fought more, but the competition level can be questionable, with the exception of Marquez of course.
Clove_art - January 9, 2012
Old (Mosley), undersized (Marquez) and inexperienced (Ortiz) competition. His last worthy fights were in 2007, being Hatton and ODLH. That’s 5 years ago he fought anybody considered to have a prayer against him, not once since.
BoxAnne - January 9, 2012
for Clove_art above.
BoxAnne - January 9, 2012
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