Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao appear to be serious about finally fighting.
The two boxers met at halftime of the Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game on Tuesday by chance (video here); Mayweather attends Heat games regularly, and Pacquiao happened to be in town because he judged a beauty pageant over the weekend. Pac-Man’s flight plans were delayed, so he ended up staying in Miami an extra day and went to the game.
Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz says he approached Floyd about talking with Pacquiao, and Mayweather was obviously receptive and came over to talk to the Filipino fighter during halftime. Koncz told media outlets that the two fighters later met privately in Pacquiao’s hotel room for over an hour. He described the talks in positive terms.
“Then we got a call later that night, asking me if he could come to our hotel to speak with me and Manny, which we allowed. [Floyd] was very pleasant, very professional. He indicated he was very eager to make the fight, which I believe as of last night he is. Whether or not that’s the same tomorrow I don’t know,” Koncz told Boxing Scene.
Koncz says Mayweather’s major concern had to do with TV networks. Floyd has two fights left on his six-fight deal with CBS/Showtime, while Pacquiao is tied to HBO.
“The major discussion revolved around broadcast issues. Manny and I both told him ‘if those are the only issues, those are simple and we can have those fixed in the morning.’ And in fact I’ve confirmed that they’ve been resolved.”
Network executives got involved in the meeting via phone and worked things out, apparently. Two of Mayweather’s concerns reportedly have to do with the broadcasting crews and who will air the reality shows leading up to the fight (24/7 for HBO and “All Access” for Showtime).
The networks worked together in 2002 to put on the Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis fight, so there is no reason they should not be able to do the same to make this fight happen. Now the real question is whether Floyd will stop teasing fans and actually come through. Pacquiao’s side apparently feels there is a good chance a May 2nd fight between them can happen. We have our doubts but hope the two will fight.
