Finally, confirmation from Team Mayweather that a May 2 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is nearing consummation.
Sam Watson, confidant of Mayweather adviser Al Haymon and a member of the American champion’s inner circle, told theguardian.com Wednesday, that the salient points of the megabuck bout are being worked out by negotiators and that an announcement is forthcoming.
Watson, a trusted ally of the reclusive Haymon, also confirmed that cable rivals Showtime and HBO have agreed to work together and do joint pay-per-view coverage of the fight so that the projected blockbuster would push through.
“They’re putting it together now,” Watson told theguardian.com. “They’re going to do a Showtime-HBO [joint pay-per-view] like they did last time with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. They’re working on the monies now and everything they’ve got to work on to make it happen.”
The remarks of Watson gave credence to recent reports from various sources that a fight deal between the pound-for-pound rivals is about to be forged.
Promoter Bob Arum had earlier told Yahoo Sports that Pacquiao has agreed to all the terms imposed by the other side and that all the unbeaten Mayweather (47-0) now needs is to sign on the dotted line for the fight to happen.
Arum also told Associated Press on Thursday that the site (MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas), the purse split (60 to 40 percent in Mayweather’s favor) and the type of gloves to be used have been agreed upon by representatives from both parties.
The promoter added that he will meet with Pacquiao in Los Angeles on Thursday to formally get his fighter’s signature.
Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles from Manila on Wednesday to sit as judge in the 63rd Miss Universe pageant in Doral, Miami, on Jan. 25. The Sarangani representative will also be in London for a dinner meeting with Prince Harry on Jan. 22.
Sharing Arum’s optimism, Watson said: “I believe it’s going to happen. I believe that everybody involved wants it to happen. I know Floyd wants it.”
The positive developments prompted Las Vegas oddsmakers to put out lines Wednesday with both Westgate LV Superbook and William Hill installing Mayweather as a 2 1/2 to 1 favorite, according to AP.