The richest fight in history is upon us.
The influential British paper, The Telegraph, came out with a story yesterday, saying Floyd Mayweather is about to make a formal announcement of his May 2 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather has apparently agreed in principle to face Pacquiao in a unification welterweight war at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and that an announcement is imminent.
But Showtime, the cable network the broadcasts Mayweather’s fight, denied the report with Stephen Espinoza, the TV network’s big boss, saying that a deal is not yet in place.
“Not sure what anyone is signing since no agreement has been finalized yet,” said Espinoza in his social media account when word leaked that the fight is already a done deal.
The revenue sharing has been agreed upon and Mayweather is guaranteed 60 percent of the budget of over $200 million.
Gareth Davies, the paper’s man on the boxing beat, said the 36-year-old Pacquiao “completed his contractual agreements on Saturday and that Mayweather is set to sign and will announce the contest.”
A few days ago, Pacquiao told the Filipino media that he discussed some important matters with Mayweather on the phone and that he is looking forward to the brash fighter’s announcement very soon.
Mayweather has been listed as a 2-1 favorite versus Pacquiao.