Manny Pacquiao is quite sure that his long-awaited super fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen on May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, GMA News reported.
In an interview with the Philippine television network, Pacquiao sounded like the terms of the fight have already been finalized after another long and back-and-forth negotiation.
According to Pacquiao, the two camps are now just waiting for Mayweather to sign the contract. The Filipino boxing icon also added that Mayweather will be the one to announce the fight soon.
Pacquiao and Mayweather are continuously being linked to a potential record-breaking fight since 2009, but numerous negotiations for the bout did not come to fruition.
Reports indicated that the two sides failed to reach an agreement before because Pacquiao did not agree to undergo a random drug testing, thinking that it would weaken him on fight night. Split on fight purse was also an issue because both fighters are haggling for a bigger share of the revenue.
But earlier this year, Pacquiao reportedly agreed to a 60-40 split on fight purse and will submit himself to a random drug testing before the fight. Pacquiao also agreed to the May 2 fight date and MGM Grand as venue.
The network war between Showtime and HBO was also an issue. Mayweather has an exclusive deal with Showtime, while Pacquiao is in contract with HBO. Reports revealed, though, the two networks are working together to make the fight happen.
Pacquiao and Mayweather also had a face-to-face meeting in a hotel in Miami after they crossed path in an NBA game between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. The former pound-for-pound king talked about the meeting in an interview with Dong Secuya of PhilBoxing/BoxingScene.
"When Floyd approached me across the court, we were surrounded by a lot of people. Maybe they're thinking that we're going to fight, there and then," Pacquiao said. "Later that night he visited me at my hotel. He did most the talking, and I just listened. I think Floyd is essentially a good person, a nice person."
Pacquiao, who will likely put his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Mayweather if the fight is finalized, confirmed that the two of them discussed several fight terms, including the revenue sharing.
The type of gloves to be used was also tackled along with a rematch clause, but Pacquiao declined to give specifics as the two camps agreed to keep details confidential until the fight is finalized.
