Mayweather – Pacquiao fight negotiations
“There is still a long way to go,” Sternburg told the BBC. “At least the movement has been in a positive direction.”
Despite what Pacquiao’s agent said, the BBC actually pitched their story in a positive light in terms of the superfight coming, saying it was getting closer. Sternburg did acknowledge that the May 2 date has been agreed to, which has been reported by multiple media over the past 18 hours or so. Some reports has said the signing was about a week away.
The Fight of the Century has failed to materialize for about half-a-decade for a variety of well-documented reasons. Fight fans will be disappointed to hear a deal may not be eminent after all but should remain optimistic. Sternburg did nothing to quell other rumors and statements about the fight that are positive.
MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Along with a date, a venue (the MGM Grand in Las Vegas) has also been agreed upon, and so has the method of drug-testing, which has been a contentious issue in the past. There’s talk that both Showtime, who have Mayweather under contract, and HBO, who have Pacquiao, will jointly broadcast the fight.
The BBC story brought up those drug testing problems of the past, but Sternburg said nothing to cast doubt on sources having told boxing media that the issue has been indeed put to bed. The only issue that appears to be outstanding, though Pacquiao’s agent didn’t mention specifics about it, is the split of the money.
It’s not surprising that is the final issue to be settled on, with some believing as much as a $300 million gross could be generated. All along reports have said that the undefeated Mayweather, who commands the biggest Pay Per View audience of any boxer, wants 60 percent of the money, leaving the eight-division champ Pacquiao to take but 40 percent.
When money is involved in boxing, in other sports, in life, there is obviously the threat of dissension, disagreement, argument, of walking away from the table. So in that light, Mr. Sternburg’s remark that there is still “a long way to go” before the two boxers sign to fight makes perfect sense.
So yes, we’ll have to, for now, once again hold our horses.
