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MANILA, Philippines – Are we just days away from a deal being set to finally match Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2? That might be the case, says Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum.
Speaking with the New York Post, the Top Rank CEO spoke positively about the latest rounds of negotiations, which were revived after the two fighters met at a Miami Heat game and discussed the fight negotiations one-on-one later that night in Pacquiao’s hotel room.
“Everybody is doing the right thing,” Arum told the Post. “We’re looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction.
“The issues are being narrowed down to extraordinarily small points. I’m optimistic it will all be put together in the next couple of days.”
One of the main issues still be contended with are the terms for a joint pay-per-view between HBO, which broadcasts Pacquiao’s fights, and Showtime, which airs Mayweather’s fights.
The two networks have included their highest executives to discuss the terms for the bout, with HBO being represented by CEO Richard Plepler and Showtime being represented by CEO of their parent company CBS, Les Moonves.
The two networks last worked together in 2002 to make the heavyweight championship fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. That fight was the highest grossing bout at the time at $106.9 million, but Pacquiao-Mayweather is expected to eclipse all prior financial records in the sport.
“I think it helped a lot because we were all putting papers together, and there was still a question as to whether Floyd really wanted to do the fight or not,” Arum said to the Post. “Based on the meeting with Pacquiao in the hotel suite, Manny and Michael Koncz were convinced Floyd absolutely wants to do the fight.”
(RELATED: Pacquiao says he ‘easily’ beats Mayweather as Floyd blames Arum for delay)
Koncz has said that the only person who can announce whether a deal has been struck is Floyd Mayweather Jr. and some are guessing that the deal will be announced during the Super Bowl, which will attract an estimated 184 million American viewers this Sunday, February 1 (Monday PH time).
Don’t expect Pacquiao-Mayweather to steal the show from the Seahawks, Patriots or Katy Perry, says Los Angeles Times’ Lance Pugmire.
Pugmire tweeted: “Was told with pretty high certainty by an official not to expect a @FloydMayweather announcement of @MannyPacquiao fight this weekend.”
Was told with pretty high certainty by an official not to expect a @FloydMayweather announcement of @MannyPacquiao fight this weekend.
The 36-year-old Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts) of General Santos City, Philippines has won three straight bouts since losing back-to-back fights in 2012, while the 37-year-old Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) is currently the sport’s pound-for-pound champion, according to The Ring magazine.
Pacquiao will remain in the United States until next week, as he’s scheduled to attend a National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 5 in Washington D.C., which President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama are expected to attend. – Rappler.com
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