Mayweather Won't Happen

1:17 AM // 0 comments // Ian Purugganan // Category: Cotto , Margarito , Mayweather , Pacquiao //

Take your pick: Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito.

Sounding a bit heartbroken, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said in a conference call midnight Friday (Saturday afternoon in Manila) that Manny Pacquiao will have to settle for either Cotto or Margarito on November 13 after Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ignored his deadline.

Arum had given Mayweather until midnight Friday to surface and issue a statement regarding a proposed super fight with Pacquiao, but the Michigan native didn't come up with one, leaving Arum with no other choice but to explore other avenues.

''Next week, we will be talking with Cotto and Margarito,'' said Arum, who told the mystified international media that the door remains open for Mayweather in case the US fighter suddenly decides to step up to the plate and face Pacquiao.

''Even though he (Mayweather) hasn't responded, we would still like to do a fight (with Mayweather),'' said Arum, provided that Mayweather says so before a deal is made for a Pacquiao fight with either Cotto or Margarito.

''It's (Pacquiao-Mayweather) dead when we conclude a deal with an opponent for Manny's fight in November, and then he'll look to do a fight with Floyd next year.''

In the event a fight is not made between Pacquiao and Mayweather, claimants to the mythical title of pound-for-pound king, both punchers stand to lose more than $40 million each in prize money.

Arum said it was Home Box Office (HBO) Sports president Ross Greenburg who did the negotiations with Mayweather's camp, headed by Al Haymon.

HBO is a major player in big-time boxing and is a leading proponent to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

Mayweather's camp remained silent, as though Arum did not issue an ultimatum but Arum theorizes that it was for a ''damn good reason.''

''I am sure without knowing that there is a good, good reason that Mayweather has for not committing to a fight,'' said Arum, hinting that the prospects of not being with his trusted trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather, in his corner for the Pacquiao fight could be one reason.

Roger is scheduled to face a Nevada court in connection with an assault case filed by a former woman fighter whom he used to handle. If convicted, Roger could be sentenced to several years in prison.

Arum said he will immediately talk with Pacquiao ''to get his views.''

A Pacquiao fight with Cotto or Margarito would dangle an alluring prize: the chance of winning an eighth world title.

If Pacquiao picks Margarito, this fight could take place in Monterrey, Mexico.

[Boxing News Source: Manila Bulletin]