Manny Pacquiao is preparing to step in the ring this November, but fans hoping for a mega fight with either Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Canelo Alvarez better not hold their breath. Due to Pacquiao's extension with Top Rank and Bob Arum, Mayweather's basically been ruled out, and Canelo is likely unavailable until next year.
Alvarez is the rumor that has picked up the most steam, but Arum squashed it noting that the Mexican superstar has a date with Erislandy Lara July 12. "Canelo [Alvarez] is fighting too late. He's fighting in July. So for November, Canelo wouldn't be right. But maybe sometime next year," Arum said.
Amir Khan looms as surprise Pacquiao opponent?
In terms of a true super fight then, that leaves only an unwilling Mayweather. Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz lashed out at "Money" to ESPN.com recently when the subject of their multiple near misses with Floyd came up.
"I don't believe Floyd not fighting us has to do with Bob [Arum]," Koncz said. "Why did he wait until he exhausted all other excuses before saying he wouldn't fight Manny if Bob was involved? First he brought up the drug testing [during the initial 2009 failed negotiations]. Then he wanted Manny to sign with him. Then he wanted to pay Manny only a flat fee of $40 million for the fight instead of sharing a percentage [of the revenue]. And now he can't fight Manny because Bob would be involved?"
Pacquiao-Marquez V may be more difficult to make than most expect
The reasons are innumerable on both sides, but the end result is no fight ever gets made. With Canelo and Mayweather ruled out, Pacquiao's left with Juan Manuel Marquez as the chief option, followed by Amir Khan and Ruslan Provodnikov as dark horses.
All three of those options also come with roadblocks as well. Marquez has fought Pacman five times, and was insistent on his knockout win in 2013 closing the book on their rivalry. He can likely be had, but a testy negotiation will lie ahead.
Khan is desperate for a big money fight, but he battles on Showtime and cross-promotion between HBO and Showtime has been non-existent for years. Finally, Provodnikov is a fan favorite and fights on HBO, but shares trainer Freddie Roach with Pacquiao.
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