Manny Pacquiao Next Fight News Update: Pacman Really Wants To Fight Floyd Mayweather Jr, Bob Arum Says

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is eager to duke it out with current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring, according to Top-Rank Promotions head honcho Bob Arum.

Arum, who has been an influential voice in boxing for the last four or five decades, said Pacquiao is very much interested in settling his score with Mayweather Jr. once and for all.

In an interview with USA Today, the Top-Rank head promoter said Pacquiao wants a shot at Mayweather Jr., adding the fight between the two biggest names in the sport has to happen because they owe all they have right now to boxing fans.

"Yes [the fight can be made], if people stop posturing," Arum said during an interview with USA Today via Yahoo Sports. "Absolutely. It can happen. It's stupid if it doesn't happen. They owe it to the sport."

"What, is Mayweather going to fight, Amir Khan? Who gives a [expletive]? We've announced we're willing to make anything happen. Now somebody has got to contact us so we can sit down and explore how it can happen. Isn't that the way normal people deal? You can't wave a wand. I've said unequivocally, we're ready to sit down and see if a deal can be reached," the promoter added.

No Hate between Arum and Mayweather

Many boxing pundits say one of the reasons why Pacquiao vs. Mayweather won't happen at all is the ongoing rift between Arum and Mayweather. However, Arum insisted that he still has a wonderful relationship with Mayweather and his camp, calling the reports absolute non-sense.

"This idea that Floyd hates me or I hate Floyd is poppycock," Arum added. "Maybe the people around him are saying that. But Floyd and I, and certainly Todd [duBoef] and Floyd, have always had a wonderful relationship. These so-called writers are saying, 'Well, it can't happen, because Floyd hates Bob Arum.' Floyd doesn't hate me, like I don't hate him."

Mayweather, who is coming off a sensational year of boxing after collecting $100 million and gained victories over Robert Guerrero and Saul Canelo Alvarez, is scheduled to announce his upcoming opponent by next week. The pound-for-pound champion will return to the ring on May 3 against a still unnamed opponent.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is fresh off a 12-round demolition of Brandon Rios Nov. 23. Arum said Pacquiao will likely return to the ring in April against either Juan Manuel Marquez or Timothy Bradley, if they fail to salvage a showdown with Mayweather.