Expected to arrive for arrival
It’s no secret Bob Arum is less than enamored with management of the MGM Grand. But since he has little say in what happens in next Saturday’s megafight between Manny Pacquiao, whom he promotes, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom he used to promote, Arum is making use of what leverage he has.
Arum has told reporters that Pacquiao will not attend the “grand arrival” Tuesday at the MGM Grand Garden. The arrival usually begins the fight-week festivities and it’s the first opportunity for the fans to see the fighters up close.
“It’s a waste of time,” Arum said. “And for what? We’ll have the writers come over to the Delano (hotel, where Pacquiao is staying) and talk to Manny over there.”
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said Pacquiao doesn’t want to participate because he can’t handle the pressure of the fight’s magnitude.
“This is the big leagues. This is Floyd Mayweather,” Ellerbe said. “This isn’t Chris Algieri in China. I think (Pacquiao) is feeling the pressure and he’s scared.”
Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao, scoffed at the assertion. He told Yahoo! Sports that Pacquiao probably doesn’t even know he’s not going to attend the arrival.
“Manny didn’t make that call,” Roach told Yahoo. “Bob made that call. Just like Bob decided to pull the plug on the conference call the other day.”
Arum halted Pacquiao’s teleconference with reporters Monday after one question because the sound quality was poor and because he wasn’t pleased with the selection of reporters getting to ask Pacquiao questions.
According to Ellerbe, the fight contract require Pacquiao to attend the opening news conference in Los Angeles, which he did; the final news conference, which is Wednesday at the MGM Grand; the weigh-in Friday; and
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the fight itself.
“(Pacquiao) says he does everything for his fans,” Ellerbe said. “This event is for the fans Tuesday. So why is Manny ducking his fans? Floyd’s met every obligation asked of him and you can rest assured Floyd will be at his arrival Tuesday at the Grand Garden.” Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.