Manny Pacquiao Bob Arum
Bob Arum could stand in the way of a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight. Reuters

Manny Pacquiao is interested in fighting Floyd Mayweather towards the end of 2014. However, he says he won’t leave Top Rank in order to make a bout happen.

“Right now, I don’t have issues,” Pacquiao told the L.A. Times at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. “I’m the kind of person that doesn’t look to make changes. Look at me, since I’ve fought in America, I’ve only had one trainer [Freddie Roach]. I never change. We have a good relationship with Top Rank, with Bob [Arum]."

According to Mayweather’s camp, the long awaited mega-fight can only happen if Pacquiao separates from Top Rank. The undefeated boxer split from the promotions company years ago, and went on to sue Arum, Top Rank’s CEO. Now, Mayweather refuses to be a part of any fight that involves Arum.

Pac-Man, though, doesn’t believe that leaving Arum would do much good. For the last five years, Mayweather has presented different reasons why the two sides have never agreed to a fight. Whether it’s been drug testing, money or the promoters involved, there has always been something standing in the way. According to Pacquiao, Mayweather simply doesn’t want to fight him.

“For me, if he wants to fight, the fight will be on,” Pacquiao said. “The ultimate answer is from him. I’m just waiting to see if he’ll change his mind.”

On April 12, Pacquiao is scheduled to take on Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas. Following the match, the 35-year-old says he hopes to fight again in October or November. Marcos Maidana will challenge Maywather on May 3 at the MGM Grand. He’s looking for an opponent in September.

Since a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight doesn’t appear to be on the horizon, Arum is already lining up a potential next opponent for Pac-Man. He’s looking to pit the winner of Pacquiao-Bradley II against either Juan Manuel Marquez or Mike Alvarado. Marquez and Alvarado will do battle on May 17.

In November, Pacquiao decisively beat Brandon Rios is a unanimous decision, following nearly a year-long layoff. Mayweather last fought in September, defeating Canelo Alvarez.

Pacquiao’s deal with Top Rank will reportedly conclude sometime in 2014.

Boxing