Pacquiao, 34, has long been linked with a money-spinning pay-per-view extravaganza with the world’s richest sportsman – with the outcry for the two to agree a deal unprecedented in the modern era.
For one reason or another, (then another and another) the fight has been delayed until eventually Congressman Pacquiao fell off his perch as the best fighter on the planet, losing two fights in a row, as Mayweather came back from his self-enforced hiatus to rule the sport once again.
As negotiations, firstly over drug-testing and secondly over money faltered, Koncz doesn’t see how the two could ever come to an agreement for a future super-fight after all that has gone before.
“I personally do not see the fight between Floyd and Manny happening,” Koncz told World Boxing News bluntly.
“We are focused on the November 24 fight with Rios and nothing else as we understand the importance of this fight.”
Koncz, who oversees the Filipino’s international affairs, was keen to focus on eight-weight champion Pacquiao’s upcoming bout with rugged Oxnard fighter Brandon Rios and sees the two warriors matching up well in Macau, China.
“Rios is a young hungry fighter and his style of coming straight forward and throwing a lot of punches will give the fans a very entertaining fight,” Koncz said.
When asked if a third straight defeat would spell the end of Pacquiao’s glittering ring career, Koncz then added: “If we are not able to win this fight with Rios impressively than yes, it will be time to sit with Manny to discuss hanging up the gloves.”
That assessment by Koncz is fairly harsh but true for Pacquiao, who seemingly dominated Timothy Bradley only to be handed an astonishing loss on the cards, before being wiped out despite being on top after five rounds against old rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
27 year-old Rios comes into the biggest fight of his career not in the best of form having lost for the first time in his career against Mike Alvarado last time out at the Mandalay Bay in the spring.
The added pressure of having a boxing legend’s future in his hands could well be a hindrance for ‘Bam Bam’ on the night, although with two come forward and talented fighters sharing the ring, an entertaining battle is set to be enjoyed by all.
