• Welterweight

Pacquiao pencils in April 2013 for Floyd showdown

ESPN staff
August 13, 2012

Manny Pacquiao is confident of stepping into the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr in April 2013, according to promoter Bob Arum.

Negotiating a bout between the two welterweights has proved impossible so far, but Arum feels confident he can thrash out a deal if Mayweather operates under the banner of TMT Promotions, which he recently co-founded with rapper 50 Cent. Arum feels that 50 Cent is a "real businessman" not given to putting up obstacles, and so has been filled with fresh hope.

Arum said to boxingscene.com that he and Pacquiao are "optimistic" for April 2013 - although first Arum has to "get Pacquiao's ideas of schedules and when he is going to have to start campaigning [he wants to become governor of Sarangani province in the Philippines] next year".

Arum added: "I know how to handle the Mayweather people and do the best deal possible and then get back to Manny."

Meanwhile, GMA News reports that Pacquiao will choose his November 10 opponent within the next five to seven days. The shortlist is believed to include Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley and Mayweather - but the latter has only recently been freed from jail, so the chances of him agreeing are slim.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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