Bob Arum predicts Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao rematch: “I favour him”

Top Rank founder Bob Arum has weighed in with his view on how the proposed Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch may play out.

Arum knows both fighters extremely well, having promoted each of them throughout various stages of their respective illustrious careers.

He worked with Mayweather from the start of his professional career in 1996 until 2006, as Mayweather won world titles in multiple divisions before famously exercising a clause in his contract to buy out his deal as the two sides went their separate ways.

Arum then guided the career of Pacquiao from 2005 to 2017, which included the battle with Mayweather in May 2015, as the Filipino suffered a unanimous decision defeat to his rival.

Over a decade on from that encounter, the two boxing legends were set to compete again this September, but various issues have led to the postponement of the fight, though their remains some optimism it could be rescheduled for next year.

If that was to be the case, Arum has told The Ring that he believes the edge has to be given to Pacquiao.

“It’s the great unknown, considering their ages. But right now, I would favour Pacquiao, because he’s been the more active guy and he’s been in the gym and even fought last year.

It appears to me he’s in better boxing shape than Mayweather. It certainly will be an entertaining fight, if it happens.”

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Whether the fight will still happen remains the mystery, with Pacquiao’s team already exploring other options for the eight-weight world champion.