Brilliant Bob Makes Boxing Big Business

By Edwin Ladaga - The failure of the Pacquiao- Mayweather negotiations doesn't make sense to boxing fans and scribes. But for the ageless boxing promoter Bob Arum, it makes a lot of business sense.

Recent reports ,from boxing writer Marley, have mentioned that Arum have confessed that he blew up the Pacquiao-Floyd fight.

"It was a mistake. I should not have done that from the beginning. I should have said you take the list of demands on testing, you go before the Nevada commission and see what they say. I should’ve told them go to Nevada and make these requests on your own. ...... I think the real mistake was mine in not saying, Sign the bout contract, then take your test requirements to the athletic commission.’ I should have said that and, if he signed the contract, I could’ve said go the commission and don’t bother me with this bullspit.”

But in the end, the whole mess makes business sense for the Bobfather. It means that he could match Pacquiao with Joshua Clottey, another fighter from his promotional company. Not only would his fighters be happy, Arum doesn't have to share any revenue that he earns because he is the only promoter of this fight.

The failure of the Pacquiao-Floyd fight will also enable Arum to fully support Pacquiao's defamation lawsuit against Mayweather and his handlers over drug allegations. Golden Boy, who receives a percentage of the revenue when Pacquiao fights, is also bound to lose this revenue sharing with the pound for pound fighter. This means that Arum would further be enriched every time Pacquiao fights

Arum also has a chance to bring boxing to the masses by bringing Pacquiao's next fight to the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The billion dollar stadium can be filled with at least 80,000 spectators. Low cost fight tickets will available to more people that is possible have the fight been in Las Vegas. In a recent article, Fanhouse writes:

"This is the most unbelievable facility in the world, and I'm sure that tomorrow, we'll have a formal meeting to get all of the terms done. This will be the biggest statement for the sport of boxing, ever," said Arum, who plans to hold a press conference to announce the fight on Jan. 18 at the Dallas Stadium, followed by another on Jan. 19 in New York."

"I'm definitely going to sign for it tomorrow and finalize the deal tomorrow," said Arum. "And on Jan. 18, all of the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders are going to be there. This is going to be absolutely huge."

"This is going to be incredible," said Arum. "This stadium, I'm telling you, with this fight, we're going to pack this place."

Bringing boxing into this big arena attracts new and more audiences to the sport. What is good for boxing is always good for Bob's business
But Bob Arum's business acumen doesn't stop there. He never say never to a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.He said that the fight is off now but is willing to revisit the mega-fight later. Arum had always said that it takes more than two months to promote a fight such as the Pacquiao Floyd encounter.The postponement is not that bad after all. Who knows, the fight might even take place in a big arena such as the Dallas Cowboy Stadium.This would be even be better for boxing and for Bob's pocket.

At the moment, let us anticipate the fight between Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey in March and give thanks to Bob Arum for bringing us exciting fights.

Source: digitaljournal.com