Moments ago ESPN's Dan Rafael reported that Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer withdrew from today's trip to Arlington, TX with Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum and HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg. They were going to meet with Dallas Cowboy officials and take a tour of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, but for unspecified reasons, Schaefer elected not to go on the trip, removing the new Dallas Cowboys stadium from the front running candidates of venues that could host the super fight. When Arum asked Schaefer why he withdrew from the trip to Texas, he claims Schaefer replied with the following, "'I'm not going to Texas. I'm not going to do the fight in Texas. I'm not going to waste my time.' That's the explanation." For a high sweepstakes event of this nature that requires unbridled commitmenta and devotion, does Mr. Schaefer not have a more appropriate answer than, "I'm not going to Texas. I'm not going to do the fight in Texas. I'm not going to waste my time"?
Arum continued to explain Schaefer's sudden decision for choosing to back out of the trip, "'The fight is March 13 and there isn't enough time to do a fight at an outdoor stadium.' It's bizarre, but that's what he said. I reminded him [that the stadium has a retractable roof]. He said it doesn't matter. I am not going to theorize. I'm just telling you what happened." This commentator asks, why isn't it enough time Mr. Schaefer? Chances are a fight of this magnitude will have one of the highest numbers of attendance in the history of all sporting events. What happens if Dallas offers both you and Arum the highest bid out of all of the competing venues and resorts that are pushing to stage the fight?
Both Greenburg and Schaefer have been unavailable for comment. For now it appears as though the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV and the Superdome in New Orleans are the two leading candidates to host Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on March 13. Or are they?
In a recent report by the Los Angeles Times, Staples Center has offered $20 million to host this extraveganza. AEG's chief financial officer Dan Beckerman commented, ""We know there's interest in this fight across the world, but we're very interested and honored to make the most impressive offer possible. It's our biggest guarantee ever, and we hope it wins the day. We wanted to push as far and as hard as we could." In regards to the offer from Staples Center, which is not an outdoor arena, Schaefer continues to remain silent regarding any deals for sites.
One must also note that both Team Pacquiao and Team Mayweather reached a verbal agreement almost a week ago, but only Pacquiao has returned a signed contract. Money May has yet to submit a contract with his signature on it. Nonetheless, Schaefer claims he is still working to finalize the deal, much less consider fight locations. Didn't both sides agree to terms of fight last week??? Is Team Mayweather having seconds thoughts about what the contract states?
Ladies and gentlemen, fight fans of all ages, the date of March 13 is right around the corner. The holiday season is upon us and before we know it, it will be New Years. For all big fights, there are press conferences, press tours, and at least eight weeks of training and preparation for the combatants. Considering that we have a March 13 fight in which both parties agree to the contractual terms, it is time for all those involved to cut the nonsense when it comes to signing, sealing, and delivering this event!
Boxingchronicles.com will continue to cover this stor closely, as the details of the venueless March 13 Pacquiao vs. Mayweather superfight unfold.
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