Pacquiao vs. Mayweather talks hit first major roadblock

The internet has been abuzz over the past 24 hours with word that Manny Pacquiao has decided to run for Congress in his native Philippines. Pacquiao was unsuccessful in his first bid for office two years ago. The pound-for-pound king has long been open about his desire to hold public office back home, but these recent reports - if true - serve as a giant wallop of concern for fight fans across the globe.

News of Pacquiao's possible candidacy comes just weeks after Golden Boy Promotions began engaging Top Rank and Team Mayweather in negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather Superfight to take place in 2010. Top Rank chief Bob Arum played coy in comments made to boxingscene.com and insidesports.ph - effectively saying that there is nothing to discuss on the matter at this time.

Judging from the whispers following Pacquiao's triumph over Miguel Cotto three weeks ago, a rocky road to a megabout between the two superstars was to be anticipated. However, most thought the first major snag in negotiations would come by way of a purse issue or contention between Bob Arum and Mayweather's handlers. With that said, it appears that Arum remains confident that Pacquiao will enter the ring sometime next year - regardless of his candidacy.

To make matters even cloudier, Freddie Roach was quoted in the TimesOnline as saying that he wants his fighter "to win his eighth title against Yuri Foreman at 154 lbs. ... then fight Mayweather. And then retire." Roach went on to say that Pacquiao's training schedule will be structured around his political candidacy, if needed.

While a victory over Foreman at junior middleweight would serve as the icing on Pacquiao's illustrious cake of a career, time is of the utmost essence. And the time for Manny to meet Floyd in the ring IS NOW. Two all-time greats at the top of their game, testing one another's guts for twelve rounds. That is the fight the fans want to see. That is the fight the world wants to see. That is why we love this sport.
A fight between these two comabtants would be a hihg-profile pairing of quality and talent that hasn't been seen since Sugar Ray Leonard climbed through the ropes to square-off against Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

Bob Arum was the man who made that fight happen in 1987.
Here's hoping he still has a rabbit or two in his hat.

Source: examiner.com