In a bid to make the fight of the century a reality this year, Manny Pacquiao has accepted all of Floyd Mayweather's demands. Not only that, but the Filipino boxer has also signed a contract agreeing to everything.
According to Master Herald, the eight-division boxing champion has agreed to everything the Mayweather side has stipulated. This includes a mandatory drug testing and a 60-40 split of the earnings, with Pacquiao taking home the smaller percentage.
Pacquiao, along with his promoter Top Rank, has also agreed on the date, which was set as May 2 by Mayweather's camp, reported ESPN. Top Rank Vice President Carl Moretti confirmed this, saying: "Top Rank and Manny have agreed to terms on our side. I don't know about the other side."
The Filipino boxer also confirmed the same in a report by Yahoo. "My promoted and his promoters, there's negotiations already and there is an understanding. I heard there's an understanding already. We're just waiting for the signed contract from them," stated Pacquiao.
This new development brings the fight a step closer to reality with only Mayweather's reply and signature missing. However, some fans are still reluctant to believe that the long-awaited fight would push through.
It seems that the American boxer is having second thoughts on the bout as he's not confident it would not hurt his career. Even Top Rank promoter Bob Arum seems to think so.
The 83-year old promoter believes that Mayweather is worried with the Filipino boxer's southpaw stance, style and fast hands, reported Sports News 24. He told FightNews.com that the five-division world champion is "running like a thief" and "when push comes to shove, he backs down."
Some believe that Arum's public tirade against Mayweather is a tactic to put pressure on the boxer to commit to the match. But another source thinks that it would only anger Mayweather and would jeopardize the fight.
In an article by David Mayo for Mlive, one insider told him that, "The best way to get the fight not done is for Arum to feel in charge."
The source added, "He did it with drug testing, he did it with trying to put the fight in Cowboy Stadium, he did it with the financial split. Arum talking is the best way not to get it made."
But whether the fight pushes through or not makes no difference to Pacquiao, who made known that one of the reasons he wants it to happen is for the boxing fans.
"If you ask me if the fight happens, no problem. If that fight will not happen, it will never impact my career because what I've done in boxing, I'm already satisfied," told Pacquiao.
He further added, "I broke the record in boxing [by winning world titles in] eight divisions. I'm a coach in the Philippines of a basketball team. I'm a playing coach. I'm a congressman."
