Bobby Martinez – Sports Reporter
It’s the fight we’ve all been waiting for so long: Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) vs Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs). The fight that has been on the table for so long, is very close to “finally” happening according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
“Everybody is doing the right thing,” said Arum to the New York Post. “We’re looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the next couple of days it will get done.”
One major issue that has not made this fight happen over the years was not in the hands of Floyd and Manny as much, but their contracts each respective fighter has.
Floyd, who signed a six fight, 30-month deal with CBS/Showtime worth a guaranteed $200 million where pay-per-view revenues will increase the deal to $250 million. As for Manny, who is signed with Time Warner/HBO, all media powerhouses must come to a joint pay-per-view telecast just like they did in 2002, when heavyweight fighter Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, squared off in the ring.
Recently, both, Manny and Floyd, were seen sitting courtside at a Miami Heat vs, Milwaukee Bucks game where the Heat loss 109-102. Both fighters met at the end of the game and according to several sources including ESPN, both had a private meeting to discuss the fight.
Mayweather has went on record to say he intends to fight May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, whether it’s against Manny or not, Floyd is fighting someone.