Pacquiao on Mayweather fight: It will happen now or never—report

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

Floyd Mayweather (left) and Manny Pacquiao. AP file photos

MANILA, Philippines — It’s going to happen now or never.

Boxing’s only eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao thinks now is the right time for the long-awaited superfight between him and current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Negotiations have been ongoing for the top two fighters to finally meet in the ring and a potential agreement between opposing camps has never been this close to happening. But as the reported May 2 target date for the bout and Pacquiao’s Jan. 31 deadline for Mayweather to answer are fast approaching, Pacquiao stays optimistic that it will push through.

“I think it will happen, I believe that,” said the 36-year-old Pacquiao on boxingscene.com. “If this doesn’t happen now I don’t think it will, so now is the time.”

“If you ask me what the percentage is, it’s 80-20 [that it will happen],” he added.

Pacquiao also said the undefeated Mayweather doesn’t have any reasons left not to fight him after he had confirmed that he had already agreed to terms.

“He’s got no alibi. Blood testing is no longer a problem, Bob Arum the promoter is no longer a problem, now there are no more problems.”

The current WBO welterweight champion Pacquiao insisted that he also has no problems with Mayweather getting the better of the 60-40 purse split.

“The fans are pressuring him. I tell them we have agreed everything. The rules and regulations are not a problem. And if you want it higher, I’m happy with that. I will take 40 to 60. I’m okay with that for the sake of the fans.”