Mayweather, Pacquiao camps silent as megafight speculation abounds
For boxing fans around the world, the wait continued Tuesday as there was nothing but silence from the camps of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao regarding their proposed megafight for May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, told reporters in Los Angeles that there was no news to report.
“I know nothing,” Arum said while attending a media workout for Chinese flyweight star Zou Shiming at trainer Freddie Roach’s gym.
On the Mayweather side, all was quiet. There was news from Mayweather’s adviser, Al Haymon, but it didn’t involve boxing’s pound-for-pound king. Haymon’s new venture, Premier Boxing Champions, announced a deal with CBS television. Mayweather is in the midst of a six-fight deal with Showtime, which is owned by CBS.
Still, there were hints that there may be news to report. On a teleconference call with business reporters Tuesday to discuss his company’s quarterly earnings, MGM chairman Jim Murren mentioned the possibility of Mayweather and Pacquiao meeting though he didn’t address the fighters by name.
“We hope it’s a big, big fight,” Murren said. “If it is the fight we hope it is, then it is the biggest fight.”
There are a few lingering issues to be worked out though neither side is saying what they are. But the majority of the terms have reportedly been settled, including a 60-40 split in favor of Mayweather of what many believe will be a record $200 million purse and with Mayweather receiving $120 million.
The MGM continues to keep the date of May 2 open for the Grand Garden to host the megafight. But no official request for that date has been made by either Top Rank or Mayweather Promotions to the Nevada Athletic Commission, which would have to approve such a request.
There had been mounting speculation that Mayweather would announce the fight while in New York last weekend to attend the NBA All-Star Game. Mayweather did speak to TNT Television Sunday, but only to say there is no deal yet and that he hopes it will happen.
When and if the fight does materialize, Mayweather will be the one who announces it on the various social media platforms he endorses. He has 5.3 million followers on Twitter and he is heavily invested in the app “Shots.”
However, Mayweather, who turns 38 on Feb. 24, didn’t report anything Tuesday night.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.