Bob Arum seems to have sunk to a new low. After having a terrible PPV Card and leaving the MSG fans booing and disappointed, he is now playing the 1920’s race card, talking about black and white when he knows better then anyone it’s about money, it’s about business.

Let’s look at the holes he has dug for Lomachenko and especially Crawford.

Lomachenko Problems:

Lomachenko said Pacquiao was to old to fight and not relevant – which means he doesn’t want him. Now Arum says because Mickey Garcia lost to Spence he can no longer get 50% – which means he doesn’t want Garcia either.

Loma will not consider moving up to 140 because he would get crushed by guys like Ramirez and Hooker. So Top Rank is Happy with Lomachenko fighting every six months; advertising how he’s the best P4P guy and fighting no names. With the ESPN machine blowing up Lomachenko, I guess he doesn’t have to fight anyone special to be best P4P.

Who did Lomachenko beat? 

Jorge Linares just got destroyed in one round. Rigondeaux moves up like 3 weight classes, who does that?

Crawford Problems:

Pacquiao accepted the fight two years ago, but Arum didn’t want to pay Pacquiao and didn’t want his future star to lose.

Now PBC has five great Welters and want nothing to do with Arum. Think about it, who has  Crawford beat, a washed up Chris Algieri ( not even in the top 50, Jr Welterweights, he is done). Amir Khan hasn’t been a top 20 fighter in years.

Danny Garcia looked great last week and Arum says he’s not interested in Garcia. Really, he’s interested in Collazo, Molina and Algieri but not Garcia- REILLY? So he wants to dictate what PBC fighter Crawford fights.

I don’t care how much ESPN spends marketing, the New York fans will not get fooled again, they won’t pay to see Crawford vs Collazo.

Arum is trying to force PBC’s Hand by showing that he can beat Khan? If you want to force their hand, call Eddie Hearn and fight Kell Brook. If Crawford looks good in that fight, then you can force PBC’s Hand.

If Arum doesn’t get Brook, he is doing his franchise player a disservice. Marcos Maidana is still 40 pounds and one tuneup fight away from being ready.

Arum can’t have it both ways, he can’t be cheap with paying Crawford’s opponents and still insist on $70 for PPV. Either spend the money or bring Crawford back to free TV.

Photo courtesy of Mikey Williams and Top Rank