Pacquiao-Mayweather close to being set, promoter Arum says
Promoter Bob Arum expects a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to be set in the next few days.
Arum told the New York Post on Friday that there is no deal yet, but the two sides are working toward an agreement on a bout that would be the most lucrative in boxing history.
Pacquiao and Mayweather met in private on Tuesday in Miami. The two fighters were also seen talking at halftime of the Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game on Tuesday night.
“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 told the Post. “Based on the meeting with Pacquiao in the hotel suite, Manny and (Pacquiao adviser) Michael Koncz were convinced Floyd absolutely wants to do the fight.”
One of the sticking points in negotiations is the contract that Pacquiao has with Time Warner/HBO and Mayweather with CBS/Showtime. A joint pay-per-view telecast needs to be worked out.
“Everybody is doing the right thing,” Arum said. “We’re looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the next couple of days it will get done.”
The 36-year-old Pacquiao is 57-5-2 with 38 knockouts. Mayweather, 37, has a 47-0 record with 26 knockouts.
No date has been officially set, but Mayweather said he plans to fight May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas no matter the opponent.
Attempts through the years to negotiate a showdown between the two fighters have fallen though.