By Sizzle JKD: Here’s the thing, I’m going out on the proverbial “limb” and guaranteeing that Floyd “Money” Mayweather will take the money and fight Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on May 2nd.
Earlier this month, there were rumors that both Team Mayweather and Team Pacquiao had reached the latter stages of their negotiations for the proposed super fight. News also leaked out of the Philippines that Pacquiao would be making a trip to the United States in order to meet privately with Mayweather, and when Floyd was spotted numerous times attending L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers games in December and January, speculation grew that the talks between the two superstars had become serious and perhaps reached advanced stages.
When it was confirmed that Manny would be traveling to Los Angeles to promote the January 23rd release of his docu-film “Manny” and to meet with promoter Bob Arum, it suddenly became clear to me that this fight is going to materialize and it would probably be announced during Super Bowl week.
It can’t be any clearer than this. It was recently announced by Team Pacquiao that Manny had signed a contract and that he agreed to all of Mayweather’s demands and stipulations. Although details of this contract or a copy of it have not yet been made available to any media outlet (and yes, this includes FightHype), it is widely known that a contract was indeed produced and delivered by Team Mayweather to Team Pacquiao.
Last week, Arum told Yahoo Sports, when asked how far along both camps were in their negotiations, “We’ve agreed to everything. Period.”
Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s manager, also told RingTV.com, “We’ve agreed to the terms…we can’t discuss any of the terms. I can’t discuss what went on during our conversation. All that I can disclose is that we’ve agreed with Floyd’s representative, and that now we’re waiting for Floyd.”
On the Mayweather front, things remain on the hush as per the strategy of manager Al Haymon and Showtime V.P. Stephen Espinoza. Mayweather has been instructed to remain quiet until all negotiations have been finalized. And this means a gag order until the talks between HBO and CBS/Showtime are finished and all the money and broadcasting rights have been ironed out.
Indeed, the negotiations between the two network giants is the more complicated of the two because the proposed joint broadcast coverage involves a lot more people and many more legalities. Once the lawyers and executives hash everything out, a contract will be signed between the networks and Floyd will sign his end of the “fight contract.” It’s just a matter of time.
Meanwhile, talks between Showtime and HBO are ongoing in New York, progress is being made, and negotiations are expected to continue this week and may possibly conclude sometime next week. The only reported stumbling block seems to be which network will air the re-broadcast of the fight. A simple solution would be something similar to what they did for the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight where the network whose fighter won the bout would be the one to air the re-broadcast.
Another reason why I am 100% confident this fight will happen is because Haymon’s right hand man, Sam Watson, has gone on record telling FightHype.com that “Mayweather wants the fight with Pacquiao really bad.”
“They’re putting it together right now, “added Watson. “All he talks about is fighting Manny Pacquiao…so once the deal is set and done, you’ll see the biggest fight you ever saw in your life. I believe there’s going to be two fights.”
When you really think about it and when you read between the lines, one factor stands out: Nobody on Floyd’s team and not even Floyd himself has denied the ongoing negotiations and absolutely nobody in Floyd’s camp has come out to say that the fight is not happening. This, boxing fans, speaks volumes.
The fact that we have Pacquiao’s team confirming the contract and Haymon’s team confirming that positive talks have taken place only reveals the only thing in the minds of Manny and Floyd is Manny versus Floyd.
Never mind the charade that was the reported offer made by Team Mayweather to Miguel Cotto. This was nothing but a ploy to derail the Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto fight and secure the May 2nd date for Mayweather.
According to adviser and Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin, it was completely strategic: “It’s being made for one reason…to stop the bout between Canelo and Cotto.”
Lastly, there is the issue of money. Since Floyd constantly calls himself the “Money” man, all signs point to the yellow brick road. Is Floyd going to take the ultimate test and fight Pacquiao? Or will he give us a re-run of Cotto? 125 million reasons say he takes the challenge. Finally.
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