Pacquiao adviser says Mayweather still in the picture

 

UNDEFEATED Floyd Mayweather Jr. is entirely not out of the picture as Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent, according to his adviser, Michael Koncz.

Koncz, a Canadian, is currently in Las Vegas to speak with Top Rank chief Bob Arum about Pacquiao’s next opponent and "we have not closed the door on Mayweather," Lem Satterfield of ringtv.craveonline.com reported yesterday.

Mayweather recently nixed a 50-50 purse split with Pacquiao for their proposed May 5 showdown at the MGM Grand, angering Arum who exclaimed dealing with the American is "a waste of time."

"I’m here in Las Vegas pursuant to Manny’s instructions trying to finalize his next bout. No doors have been shut on any of our options to this point," Satterfield quoted Koncz as saying. The Canadian, however, refused to confirm or deny whether he expects to meet with Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas.

Reigning World Boxing Association junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, whom Pacquiao stopped in the 12th round in November 2009, appears to have emerged as the frontrunner to meet Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s camp has set June 9 as his next bout at either the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand, with Mayweather, Cotto, Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, IBF-WBA junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson or WBO junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley as his possible opponent.

Meanwhile, Cotto’s adviser, Gabby Penagaricano, has confirmed there have been talks with both Pacquiao and Mayweather, the latter regarding a fight on May 5, according to Satterfield.
Koncz first met with Mayweather in late November, when the Canadian visited the American at his Las Vegas-based gym.

Last week, Pacquiao confirmed to a local television network that Mayweather had called him in the Philippines from Las Vegas by phone.

The conversation, as recalled by Pacquiao, went like this: "The talk about the negotiation proceeds forward. I said the 50-50 was approved and there’s no problem. Anytime. It’s in your hands. We’ll just wait if it’s OK with you."

Mayweather’s version, however, was different.

"He asked about a 50/50 split and I told him no, that can’t happen, but what can happen is you can make more money fighting me than you have made in your career," the American said.

"I also let him know I’m in control on my side, but he needs to get on the same page as his promoter so we can make this fight happen."

Mayweather is set to begin an 87-day jail sentence starting on June 1, and has targeted May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his next bout.

Arum and Koncz have dismissed that date for the much-awaited bout, citing their camp’s desire to construct a 40,000-seat, temporary outdoor venue near the Las Vegas Strip in late May or early-June to maximize revenue.