Defamation suit lurks as likely roadblock to Pacquiao-Mayweather

Bob Arum is confident of striking a deal for a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight Nov. 13, but one obstacle is in the Top Rank chairman’s way.

Pacquiao filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle Roger Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions on Dec. 30, claiming they damaged Pacquiao’s reputation by alluding that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

The lawsuit is a remnant of unconsummated negotiations for Mayweather and Pacquiao to fight March 13. Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, admits the suit will factor into any renewed talks.

"The lawsuit is still being actively pursued," Arum said. "All these issues are on the table and will be negotiated. I’m sure it will be discussed."

Mayweather’s camp is not commenting. But common sense indicates Mayweather wouldn’t agree to fight someone who is suing him and would demand that Pacquiao drop the suit to make a deal.

What Arum doesn’t want to do is make the same mistake twice and negotiate in the media. On a conference call Wednesday, he constantly told reporters he would not answer specific questions about making a deal, even declining to confirm when he would sit down with Team Mayweather.

"Once you start negotiating through the media, it becomes ego driven," Arum said. "People can’t wait to give a statement to the press. The flames just shoot up, and there’s no real opportunity for rational behavior to take over.

"Everyone is so interested in setting forth his position to the media that it becomes a contest that involves me and everyone else. As far as when, I have my marching orders (from Pacquiao), and it will be sooner than later."

If a deal is made, the fight probably would be at the MGM Grand Garden or Cowboys Stadium, Arum said.

■ TOP-10 GATE — The Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden made the list of top-10 paid gates for a Nevada boxing card.

According to the Nevada Athletic Commission, the fight produced a gate of $11,032,100, making it the 10th largest in Nevada history. The official paid attendance was 14,038.

Mayweather-Mosley bumped the 1996 rematch between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno from the top 10, a fight that did $10,673,700. The record gate in Nevada is the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya fight in 2007, which generated $18,419,200.

Along with the 1.4 million pay-per-view buys on HBO, Mayweather-Mosley attracted an additional 12,879 to closed-circuit TV sites at eight MGM Mirage properties, generating approximately $1 million more.

■ DEFENDING PAVLIK’S DECISION — Kelly Pavlik’s decision to move up from middleweight to super welterweight after an April 17 loss to Sergio Martinez was endorsed by Arum, Pavlik’s promoter.

"I think he knows his body, and in order to make 160 (pounds), he had to burn off a lot of muscle," Arum said. "He’s got to be comfortable with his weight, and if he’s burning muscle to make weight, it doesn’t make any sense for him to stay at 160."

Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) has ventured beyond middleweight previously with mixed results. In 2008, he weighed 164 when he beat Jermain Taylor for the second time. Later that year, Pavlik lost by unanimous decision to Bernard Hopkins at 170, the first loss of his career.

Pavlik, his father, Mike, and longtime trainer Jack Loew decided it was time to move up in weight, and Arum said he thinks the former middleweight champion can regain his form.

"I don’t think he’s done. I think you’ll see the old Kelly Pavlik," Arum said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.