Pacquiao: Mayweather has until Jan. 31 to OK fight
Manny Pacquiao. AP FILE PHOTO
Manny Pacquiao will not wait for Floyd Mayweather Jr. forever.
He is giving the unbeaten American champion until the end of the month to sign up on their megabuck fight or forget about it.
Having agreed to all the terms imposed by the Mayweather camp, Pacquiao feels it is time to finalize the deal that would seal their respective legacies.
If nothing comes up, Pacquiao is ready to fight another man, including Amir Khan.
“My promoter and I, we’ve already agreed to the terms and conditions of whatever [Mayweather] wants,” Pacquiao told the Los Angeles Times on Monday. “We’re just waiting for the signed contract from him. That’s the hard part, if they will fight or not. We have to know soon, because if they will not fight, we can move on and choose another opponent.
“We have a deadline … this month.”
Pacquiao, who arrived in Los Angeles last week, visited the LA Times offices to promote “Manny,” a documentary narrated by actor Liam Neeson. It is due for release on Friday.
Mayweather’s prolonged silence after calling out Pacquiao to a fight on Dec. 17 prompted the Filipino icon to admit that even he isn’t certain the sure blockbuster will happen.
Reports have hinted that the deal is about to be consummated, with Pacquiao agreeing to a 60-40 purse split in Mayweather’s favor, the venue (MGM Grand Garden), the gloves to be used and the drug-testing protocol.
Cable giants Showtime, which holds the rights to two more Mayweather fights, and HBO, which aired Pacquiao’s last few bouts, were also said to be working out a joint venture to broadcast Mayweather-Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said he is motivated by his desire to determine who really is the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.
“I just want to prove who’s really No. 1,” Pacquiao said. “If he beats me, I’m really convinced he is No. 1. If not, I’m No. 1.” Roy Luarca
