Arum speaks out!!

"Margarito has completely agreed to terms. Mayweather has a proposal in accordance with terms that he was demanding - which he came up with - an $8 million guarantee and the ball’s in his court and it's awaiting it's signature," said Arum, who pointed out that Mayweather would also get a piece of the upside should that bout hit certain pay-per-view goals. "Whether he'll sign it or not, that I don't know."

Margarito's team was in Las Vegas the past few days, finalizing their end of the deal.

"We're ready to go August the 12th," said Margarito's co-manager Sergio Diaz. "We're here in Vegas right now and we came to terms and we're on board."

And the chances of Mayweather putting his Hancock on the dotted line?

"We don't know," Diaz admitted, "Top Rank says, 'You guys are on board. Now it's Mayweather.' So the good thing is, we're on board. We were on since the beginning so
that's what we came to do here and take care of business. Now we're waiting for Floyd."

As for a deadline to make this deal, Arum says, "There's a little bit of time but I really would hope to get it done one way or the other by the end of the week."

There is a theory floating out there that perhaps Mayweather is awaiting the outcome of Oscar De La Hoya's bout against Ricardo Mayorga on May 6th to fully assess his options.

So what does Arum think of the possibility of a 'Pretty Boy' versus 'Golden Boy' face-off? "I don't think very good," he said."I've talked with Floyd about what he wants for that fight and who's going to guarantee it? Floyd is going to want somewhat near parity with Oscar and Oscar's now saying that he's not going to fight him. So I don't know; Oscar could have his hands full with Mayorga."

Then there’s always the issue of the acrimonious relationship between Arum and Golden Boy Promotions.

So if he doesn't face Margarito and doesn't get De La Hoya, as he wishes, then what?

"He'll have to sit on the sideline until the latter part of the year and see who's available," Arum states. "One of the problems that he does have is he wants a lot of money for his fights. But the opponents want money, also."

In his current deal with Top Rank and HBO, Mayweather is only slated for pay-per-view events.

As for other options, the chances of a showdown with Ricky Hatton in 2006 are, "Slim and none," according to Arum. "Because Hatton isn't looking to fight until next year and besides that, it's not a big money fight. I mean Hatton, once he takes the English rights,
which he would insist on doing, Hatton doesn't really bring much to the table."

It looks like Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas are destined to engage in a return bout in mid-July.

"And let's assume Mosley wins and a Mosley-Mayweather fight’s a possibility," surmised Arum, "Well, that's not going to happen because Mosley's going to want to be compensated and the fight’s not that big to compensate Floyd and what he's demanding."

Miguel Cotto, who fights Paulie Malignaggi on June 10th, could face Jose Luis Castillo - should he get past Diego Corrales on June 3rd - in November.

So is Margarito the biggest non-De La Hoya payday out there for Mayweather as we speak?

"That's what HBO told me," said Arum.

So consider this a done deal then. Because surely, the best boxer since Muhammad Ali must be salivating at the thought of a possible $10 million payday against a slow, unskilled, ponderous fighter like Margarito, right?

"Unless," pointed out Arum, who promotes both boxers, "he has so much of a lack of confidence in his ability to beat Margarito. He's a pretty good boxing guy, Floyd

Not to sure of the link just nicked this from another site.

He should take the fight instead of waiting for old mna Dela Hoya.

Floyd would beat Margarito and De La Hoya. Who's next?

Yea that's the way I feel too, lol.. But obviously some ppl are excited to watch MArgarito get his ass handed to him :D