Arum still hopeful of dream fight

It was Tuesday night (about Wednesday noontime) in Las Vegas when Top Rank chief Bob Arum picked up his cellphone to answer a call.

The call was from Manila and the caller insisted on knowing what’s the latest on the seemingly never-ending saga that is the proposed May 2 welterweight war starring Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Told that the long distance caller is starting to lose hope on the mouthwatering matchup between the poundfor-pound king and the former holder of boxing’s most coveted mythical title, the 83-year-old Arum cautioned the poor fellow to remain optimistic.

“No, don’t lose hope,” said Arum, the tone of his voice picking up a notch.

There was no other substantial statement that came out of Arum’s mouth except a hint of positive energy.

“That’s all I can say...I am not allowed to talk.”

Months and weeks have gone by and the world still waits if whether the MGM Grand in Las Vegas gets to stage the richest fight in history.

The past few weeks, the negotiations have grown by leaps and bounds but no deal remains in place, despite the huge clamor of the public for the two to fight and the pressure being exerted by the stakeholders.

If there’s one guy who knows whether the fight is going to take place or not, it is Mayweather, who has the final say on all the things that have been happening.

Mayweather, 37, has remained silent but not for long since he has to make a decision regarding his plans to return to the ring on May 2.