By Antonia Bufalino: I know, I know. Same old, same old, right?
I’m guilty of saturating this website with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao news, but please understand I am just as (cautiously) excited as everyone else. So, when I hear something new, I want to make sure everyone is updated.
With that said, more news surfaced on how a deal is close- very close.
Examiner, Yahoo Sports, and ESPN all released different reports from their individual sources who are in agreement with one thing: we are waiting on Mayweather.
Dan Rafael from ESPN spoke in his recent article on how the ball is not only in Mayweather’s court but revealed numerous demands.
According to various sources from ESPN and Yahoo Sports, the purse split agreed upon is 60/40 with Pacquiao receiving the lower end. Dan Rafael shared how Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti revealed to ESPN that the venue agreed upon is MGM grand. It will be on the date Mayweather persisted on, May 2nd. Dan Rafeal also wrote:
“According to the Pacquiao side, everything was agreed to, including the gloves and drug testing. As far as the gloves go, each fighter would be able to select their own brand of 8-ounce gloves. Mayweather typically wears Grant gloves and Pacquiao fights in Cleto Reyes. . .The sides are so far along that they have drafted contracts, according to the Pacquiao side.”
Pacquiao being able to wear his own gloves reassures many fans who worried that the size and brand may be a roadblock. Not only will Pacquiao be able to wear his gloves, but Dan Rafael also revealed the Drug Testing formality that will be used- USADA. USADA testing was originally what caused the fallout in earlier negotiations, but Pacquiao has now agreed to the stipulation.
On December 15, Spin.ph interviewed Chavit Singsor, one of Pacquiao’s closest advisers, where Singsor said Pacquiao would be flying to America sometime in January to iron out the details in a sit-down meeting Floyd Mayweather. Now recent reports suggests he was right. Pacquiao will be flying to America tomorrow to conduct business relating to the negotiations as well as promote his movie, ‘Manny’. What business on the negotiations he’ll be tending to were not revealed in the recent reports; however, Inquirer.com quoted Pacquiao last Friday where he said he hopes to sign the contract when he comes to America.
The consistency in the reports seem viable and optimistic as we inch closer and closer to a deal. Now that we know some of the specific demands of the fight and Pacquiao coming to America tomorrow, the next couple of weeks should be very interesting.
I’m not saying you should book your flight and hotel room, but I wouldn’t judge you for looking at the hotel rates for a May 2nd stay.