It took more than an hour of talking in person between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a hotel in Miami early this week that the world’s richest boxing bout is finally going to happen.
A source which refused to identify himself whether he is from the camp of Pacquiao or Mayweather revealed that the two welterweight boxers have finally agreed to do what the world wants for the longest time – the two of them fighting in the ring and not on social media.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have reportedly agreed to the terms of the bout as well as the location and date. It was not clear if the date would still be May 2 as previously announced by Floyd Jr. in December during an impromptu interview but given the nearness of the date, it is very likely that the bout would happen at a later date.
The same source also said that the formal agreement has yet to be signed by either of the two camps but it is most likely good as done, reports Yahoo! News.
Done deal and soon to be announced
Initial discussions between the camps of Mayweather and Pacquiao focused on coming out with a deal for a May 2 fight to be held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Manny Pacquiao and Top Rank boss Bob Arum even came out early in January claiming that the Filipino boxing icon has already inked the deal and was just waiting for Mayweather to agree and sign as well.
But it seems that the new deal would supersede the first one because the two boxers have set the terms of the new deal themselves and both agreed over it.
The deal is said to be done and the announcement of the world’s richest boxing bout would be made in the coming days.
The world awaits
This could be the biggest news that whole boxing world is waiting for. It’s also the biggest boxing match in the history of sports in terms of financial windfall, and also the biggest payday in the history of sports, particularly for Mayweather.
The only thing that could derail the match is if Bob Arum starts opening his mouth again and tells the whole world that he has made the fight possible.
The most that Pacquiao could do at this point is to put the lid on the mouth of Arum until Mayweather officially agrees and sign the fight agreement. He has to gag Arum if necessary, observers opine.
Because regardless of the previous discussions between Showtime and HBO or Bob Arum and the Mayweather camp, those mean nothing to the agreement forged by the two future of Hall of Fame boxers themselves when they personally met and talk just a few days ago.
Until an announcement is made, the world awaits patiently.