Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum claims he is in talks with Ricky Hatton's camp over a lucrative fight in May - but insists there is no chance of Wembley hosting the showdown.
Light-welterweight world champion Hatton was expected to take on the winner of Pacquiao's December 6 clash with Oscar De La Hoya.
But after the Filipino's destructive victory, it emerged Floyd Mayweather Jr was looking to come out of retirement and jump ahead of the Mancunian in the queue.
Top Rank chief Arum, however, appears to want his fighter - currently regarded as the finest in the world - to face Hatton in the spring and then Mayweather later in the year.
Arum, currently in the Philippines to celebrate Pacquiao's 30th birthday, told reporters: "We are in negotiations with the Hatton people and I think we're moving closer.
"I can assure you it will not be at Wembley. Not because Manny would be afraid to fight in England but because Wembley makes no economic sense, because we'll have to do it at 5am (to suit American television), outdoors, where there is a 90% chance of rain."
Neither Pacquiao nor Hatton have concealed their desire to meet in the ring, with Hatton eager to face another pound-for-pound champion after previous ruler Mayweather inflicted his only professional defeat a year ago.
The Filipino southpaw, meanwhile, is able to dictate his own terms as the most marketable fighter on the planet but is willing to travel around the globe fighting the best opposition available.
Arum, who revealed the early proposed dates for the fight are May 2 or May 9, added: "I think it is the fight everybody wants to see."
Arum also claimed around 1.4million pay-per-view sales were made for Pacquiao's victory over De La Hoya, which saw the Mexican-American fail to emerge for the ninth round.
source: sportinglife.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment