Pacquiao vs Mayweather Fight: Arum Stopping Match From Happening Says Ariza

Seems there is a new twist to why the megabuck fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not happening. And it's not because Mayweather is making all possible excuses not to risk his loss-free fight record against the Pacman. According to Alex Ariza, the former strength and conditioning trainer of Pacquiao, it is Top Rank Chief Bob Arum who is pulling all stops against boxing's most anticipated fight.

The Boxing Tribune posted a recent interview made by Fight Hype.com with Ariza where the trainer revealed that: "The fight is not happening because of Bob Arum."

"Don't get me wrong. Manny truly wants to fight Floyd, and I know Floyd wants to fight Manny, but they know that it's never going to happen. I know it's not going to happen because that was always the agenda; make sure that Manny doesn't fight Floyd," disclosed Ariza in the interview.

In a related report by ABS-CBN, Ariza also hinted that Arum kept the idea of a Mayweather fight hanging over Pacquiao's head whenever the Filipino champ would start asking questions.

"That's Bob's MO. When Manny starts to ask questions, about maybe his taxes, or maybe where his money is going, or why is he not making the same kind as Floyd did, Arum would say 'Oh I'm gonna get you the Floyd fight,'" Ariza claimed.

For as long as Arum is involved, negotiations between the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps will never come to an agreement, believes Ariza.

"The agenda is to make sure that this fight never takes place, and it's always been like that," said the trainer. "You're not gonna have a dual promotion where Bob is gonna have to open up those books and see exactly what Manny makes," he added.

Ariza reiterated that Pacquiao and Mayweather do want to fight each other, contrary to accusations that the American has been "ducking" the Pacman.

"Floyd is the boss for him, he's the boss, but Manny is not, so it doesn't matter what Manny wants. He's been wanting it, and he's not getting it," pointed out Ariza.

Ariza was once part of Team Pacquiao before he got sacked after a falling out with chief trainer and coach Freddie Roach last year, ABS-CBN noted. He has recently signed a non-compete/non-disclosure agreement with the Mayweather camp.

For his part, Arum has declared that Mayweather is the only remaining impediment to the potential mega-fight, claiming that even rival networks Showtime and HBO want the fight to happen.

"He (Mayweather) is looking for every excuse not to do the fight (Manny)," Arum said in a recent interview.