Contract extension talks between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Showtime/CBS reportedly are holding up the announcement of the boxer’s upcoming September fight, though a Showtime exec denies that is the case.
ESPN’s Dan Rafael reported Monday that the reason Mayweather’s Sept. 12 fight against Andre Berto has not been finalized is because Showtime/CBS wants the rights to any of the boxer’s future fights.
9/12 Floyd fight still not set. Issues there. Floyd says he's retiring but Show/CBS want rights to future fights should he change mind.
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) July 27, 2015
Show/CBS not about to let Floyd decide to return to possibly go 50-0 & take fight across street. This is 1 of reasons for long delay.
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) July 27, 2015
Can't blame Show/CBS for protecting their considerable investment in Floyd. I'd do the same thing.
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) July 27, 2015
Mayweather is on the final of his six-fight contract with the network. A victory over Berto would make him 49-0. Should he fight beyond his contract, Mayweather could finish at 50-0. However, Mayweather has said multiple times in the past that he would retire after he finished his contract.
Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza responded to Rafael’s tweets and says his report is “absolutely false.”
Absolutely false. Not a shred of truth to this. https://t.co/t3KhOjT5wX
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) July 27, 2015
There hasn't been a single conversation about extension or future rights…so that's not the reason for any "delay." https://t.co/rLKJK1npM2
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) July 27, 2015
Mayweather is known for taking a while to officially announce fights weeks after reports about them have emerged. Who knows what his reason is for doing so? Not that we should completely take Espinoza at his word, but it’s entirely possible that Mayweather is holding off on the announcement until he has his full promotional schedule in order.
