Pacquiao to skip grand arrival ceremony

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao won’t be attending the grand arrival ceremony for his May 2 super bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The ceremony has been a tradition that kicks off high-profile bouts a week ahead of the event, giving fans a chance to see their favorite boxers while they walk toward the hotel.

But Top Rank Inc. chairman Bob Arum said the eight-division champion will skip the ceremony and will instead arrive in Las Vegas on Monday on a private bus. The Filipino won’t be staying at the MGM Grand, the host hotel, but will billet himself at the Mandalay Bay, which is also an MGM-owned property.

There, said Arum, Pacquiao will meet the press.

"We don't need a show for his arrival and we can do without all the hoopla," Arum told ESPN’s Dan Rafael.

"We'll keep it calm for Manny. We'll get a big room downstairs at Mandalay Bay, and Manny will talk to the press there in an orderly way and in a comfortable environment. I think that's a lot better for Manny and, frankly, it's better for the press. Why does he need a grand arrival when he's not even staying at that place?"

Pacquiao’s rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr., will do his grand arrival as planned.

Arum and the MGM management haven’t been in good terms for years. Further complicating their relationship was the ticket issue that was caused by a misunderstanding over the contract between Top Rank, Mayweather Promotions and MGM Grand.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight tickets sold out within seconds

MANILA - Tickets for the highly-anticipated bout between Manny Pacquio and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were sold out just seconds after they were sold online.

Dubbed as 'The Fight of the Century', fight fans and wholesalers waited overnight before Ticketmaster opened sale at 12 p.m., US time.

Prices ranged from $1,500-$10,000.

Ticket brokers are now selling the tickets ten times more than their original value, with ringside seats selling as high as $141,000 or P6.2 million.

Pacquiao says even he would have to spend money to get tickets for his family.

ANC Headstart, 24 April 2015

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Pacquiao recalls last time he was underdog

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao doesn’t mind being the underdog in his May 2 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The eight-division champion even relishes the feeling, noting that it has been a while since he was considered an “also ran” in a boxing match.

“No, I'm not worried at all. It's good for me because it gives more motivation, encouragement, focus to win the fight,” Pacquiao said in an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" as quoted by Boxing Scene.


According to Yahoo! Sports, online betting site Bovada had Mayweather as a minus -210 favorite, while Pacquiao is at plus -170, with the American favored to win by decision or technical decision, 5/7.

But Pacquiao didn’t mind the numbers and instead used them to fuel his fire for his welterweight title clash against the undefeated Mayweather.

The last time he came in as the underdog in a boxing match was when he met Oscar De La Hoya in the ring back in 2008. He pummeled De La Hoya in that bout, forcing the “Golden Boy” to retire on the stool after eight rounds.

Pacquiao earlier said he was more anxious about fighting De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto compared to Mayweather.

“In my heart and my mind, I was more worried about De La Hoya and Cotto than this fight,” he told ESPN.

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Pacquiao-Floyd fight 'will be won or lost on the ropes'

The ropes will play a vital part in the mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., according to the Filipino boxer's trainer, Hall-of-Famer Freddie Roach.

"The fight will be won and lost on the ropes," Roach told Daily Mail in a recent interview. "If Mayweather goes to the ropes and tries to rest his legs, he will get beat."

Roach has repeatedly expressed his belief that Mayweather's legs are betraying him, and this is the reason the American has been forced to go toe-to-toe with his previous opponents rather than evade them as he would have done.

"It's about outscoring (Mayweather)," said Roach. "If he sits on the ropes, we can outscore him. If he stays in the middle of the ring and boxes all the time, he could possibly outscore us."

The fight is expected to be a clash of styles between Mayweather's defensive wizardry and Pacquiao's unorthodox offense, and Roach is confident that the "Pacman" can impose his will against the unbeaten American.

"He trains harder than any fighter I have ever had in my life," Roach said. "I have had 33 world champions, and nobody can touch him for his work ethic. His attitude is good."

Some boxing pundits, and even boxers and trainers themselves, have said that the fight may be five years too late, but Roach disagrees.

"It's a better fight today than it was five years ago, because they were both a lot faster and more mobile five years ago," he explained.

"It might have been more of a boxing match (then), but now, they're a little bit older. It's going to be a better fight," he said.

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Manny keeps weight in check at 148-149

LOS ANGELES - After a full meal, Manny Pacquiao can tip the scales at around 148 to 149 pounds, according to his bosom buddy, Buboy Fernandez.

Safe and sound.

“He’s at 148 to 149. Just right on it,” said Fernandez in his hotel room at Park Plaza here in the northern side of Hollywood.

Fernandez had just unloaded his stuff from the gym after an aborted training session Friday afternoon.

Pacquiao, the pot-bellied Filipino boxing trainer said, poured it all during his morning run at Griffith Park he called it a day from there.

The eight-division champion, with the permission of his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, skipped the afternoon session at Wild Card Gym, just a couple of blocks away.

“We felt it was wise to just let him rest after that morning run. Besides, he sparred 11 rounds yesterday and will do 12 rounds tomorrow,” said Fernandez.

There’s no reason to worry.

In fact, Fernandez said everybody’s happy where Pacquiao is right now, inside two weeks to the Floyd Mayweather fight in Las Vegas.

“What he showed us earlier could be his peak condition. He ran up the mountains like he never did before,” he said.

Pacquiao covered the steep and elevated eight-kilometer terrain in just over 54 minutes.

“That was the toughest climb here. Mahirap yun. Grabe yung ginawa niya. So, we decided to give him a rest in the afternoon,” Fernandez told scribes.

“He showed that he’s at the peak of his training now,” he added.

Pacquiao will face Mayweather for all the worthy titles in the welterweight division on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Training had gone the way they want it, despite the fact that Pacquiao missed three consecutive sparring sessions last week.

“Baka ma-over (train),” said Fernandez.

Even by skipping those sessions and eating as heavy as he wants, Pacquiao had kept his weight in check.

Paccquiao eats as much when over a hundred people around him are starving themselves in a weight-loss challenge offering $10,000 to the champion.

“Bultu-bulto kung kumain (He eats a lot),” said Fernandez.

“But we’re on it. Right now he’s at 148-149,” he said.

Read more on The Philippine Star.

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Pacquiao opens camp to media

LOS ANGELES – After weeks of settling for limited access, some 300 media members packed the Wild Card Gym for Manny Pacquiao's media day on Thursday.

Pacquiao kept his promise to arrive early after seeing how his May 2 opponent, Floyd Mayweather Jr., kept the media waiting for nearly two hours during his own media day on Wednesday.

Pacquiao did a series of interviews that lasted for well over two hours, and proclaimed his faith whenever he had the chance.

"The Lord will always be there with me," he said. "I want them to remember that not only I inspired them, but in following God."

It was one of the most packed media days the gym has ever seen, with members of the press forced to pack the upper floor of the Wild Card Gym like sardines.

"Ito ang pinaka-grabe," said Fernandez.

Despite the big crowd and all the questions, Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, declined to give his latest estimate on how much money the so-called "Fight of the Century" can make, especially when it comes to pay-per-view numbers.

"Your guess is as good as my guess. How the hell do I know?" Arum said.

"I just know it will be a big number. Will it be three million? Will it be four million? How would I know?" he added.

As for tickets which are expected to finally go on sale, the Hall-of-Fame promoter offered an old-school solution.

"The idea that tickets aren't on sale yet is ridiculous," he said. "Remember how it was in the old days, when you went to a baseball game, people would line up to buy tickets at the box office the day of the game?"

"Maybe that's what they'll do."

At the end of the three-hour day, one person was happy it was finally over.

"This is part of life," said chief trainer Freddie Roach. "We know we have to sell the fight. Well, not this fight, because it's already sold out."

"I haven't seen any tickets yet, but it's the biggest fight in the world and it's a real honor to have this many people in my gym," he added.

Pacquiao only shadow-boxed and did a few minutes on the mitts in the gym, but he was able to run at the Griffith Park in the morning and did some agility drills.

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Pacquiao back in practice after one-day rest

LOS ANGELES – After a rest day, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao was back in the ring Wednesday, hitting the mitts for 12 rounds.

"Maganda pala 'yun. (I'm) hungry, the fire is there. It's good. Happy ako sa training," said the "Pacman."

"I thought he was overdoing it a little bit, so we had a day off," chief trainer Freddie Roach explained. "Today, we opened the gates, and he kicked my a**. I must have gotten hit with a thousand and two punches today."

While a re-energized Pacquiao is happily back in the ring, his May 2 opponent, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is literally putting his money where his mouth is.

TMZ released photos of Mayweather's custom-made mouth guards, which reportedly costs $25,000. Some of the mouth guards have a real hundred dollar bill stuffed in it.

"Who really cares?" said Roach. "Mouthpieces protect your mouth. Who cares how much it costs? I can go to the 7-11 and get one for two bucks."

"Hopefully it will protect his teeth," said Pacquiao's publicist, Fred Sternburg. "I'm not sure if it will help with his chin."

Pacquiao, for his part, was not too concerned.

"That's his style," he said. "We know the truth; we know the right way. We know how to obey God."

As reports continue to show Mayweather's lavish expenses – including a $300,000 party bus – the boxer has also been showing his pre-fight preparations.

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Mayweather touts advantages vs. Pacquiao

American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. opened as the favorite against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao ahead of their highly anticipated May 2 showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The American believes he deserves that distinction, noting the physical advantages he has over the "Pacman."

"When you just look at the tale of the tape, I have a longer reach, I'm taller, I'm stronger, and I'm more accurate," he told Fight Hype.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown will feature a clash of styles, with Mayweather known as the premier defensive boxer of his era while Pacquiao is noted for his all-action offense and the ability to punch from all angles.

Mayweather will hold a size advantage in the welterweight fight, as he is slightly taller and has a slightly longer reach than Pacquiao.

The American doubts that height "plays a key" for Pacquiao, but insists it is something he plans to use come fight time.

"I think with me, (height) plays a key because I use a little bit of everything. I use my reach, I use my height, I use my movement," he said. "I use different techniques, whereas he is not as versatile as Floyd Mayweather."

Pacquiao is a very exciting fighter and is strong, Mayweather said, but insists that "this is a different league."

"I mean, this is a guy that can box going forward, this is a guy that can box going backwards, a guy that can counterpunch," Mayweather said, describing his own skills.

"I can tie you up, I can slug if I have to, but my thing is always working smarter, not harder," he added.

Mayweather also noted that Pacquiao has changed as a fighter since he stopped working with strength and conditioning trainer Alex Ariza, who is now part of the American's camp.

"Once Alex Ariza left, he's a totally different fighter," Mayweather said.

But despite his physical advantages, and the lack of Ariza in Pacquiao's camp, Mayweather makes it clear he is not going to underestimate the Pacquiao, who is the first boxer in history to win championships in eight different weight divisions.

"He may not be the same fighter, but this is a guy that I cannot overlook. He got here somehow and some way," said Mayweather of Pacquiao. "You never take nothing for granted, because anything can happen."

"But as far as me being nervous or worried, absolutely not. But I'm always cautious and smart," he added.

"You know, I don't have anything bad to say about (Pacquiao's trainer) Freddie Roach, I don't have to say anything bad about his team, but I believe in myself and I believe in my skills, and I got here somehow and some way by believing in my skills and believing in my talent."

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Tickets for Pac-Floyd still available, clarifies MGM

MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to earlier reports, MGM Grand Arena tickets for the much awaited super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are still available.

MGM Grand spokesperson Yvette Monet clarified that the Las Vegas hotel was nowhere near being sold out and that a computer glitch made it appear that they ran out of tickets.

“A computer glitch made it appear the host MGM Grand was sold out for May 1 and May 2 minutes after the announcement that Mayweather would fight Pacquiao, but the hotel was busily putting the word out Friday night that it has plenty of rooms available for the event’s weekend,” Martin Rogers said in his report to USA Today.

Hotel prices for May 1 and 2 went up as high as $615 per night when news spread last Thursday about Mayweather setting himself to announce the bout.

The MGM Grand Arena has hosted some of the biggest fight in recent years. It has a seating capacity of 16,800, but organizers are expected to make configurations to accommodate more fans.

Mayweather announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that he and Pacquiao already signed a deal for the most lucrative bout in boxing history.

“What the world has been waiting for has arrived,” Mayweather said on the social networking website Shots. “Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don’t miss it!”

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Mayweather to clash with Pacquiao in mega fight

LOS ANGELES - The long awaited mega bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, which has been more than five years in the making, will take place in Las Vegas on May 2, Mayweather announced on Friday.

A duel between the defense-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has been savored by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American Mayweather, who has a perfect record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts, said on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal.

"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don't miss it! This is the signed contract from both fighters."

Mayweather made a late-night trip to Pacquiao's hotel in Miami last month to discuss the possibility of a fight, and the Filipino southpaw signed the contract for the bout on Thursday.

"I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done," Mayweather said in a statement. "Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus.

"This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. I am the best ever ... and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win".

"Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful. He will be number 48."

Pacquiao, who has a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts, said in a statement: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it.

"It is an honor to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world."

A 60-40 SPLIT

The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to have a 60-40 split advantage on revenues, earning a minimum of $120 million and Pacquiao at least $80 million.

"Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen," Stephen Espinoza, general manager for Showtime Sports, said in a statement.

"All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world."

Pacquiao, 36, lost much of his appeal after successive defeats to American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since bounced back with three impressive wins.

Five-division world champion Mayweather, who is known for his shrewd business acumen, had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Mayweather has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

Mayweather announced last September, after he scored a dominant win over Argentine Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas in his most recent bout, that he would retire in late 2015 when his Showtime contract ends, after two more fights.

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Report: Pacquiao-Mayweather close to a done deal

MANILA, Philippines – The highly anticipated boxing mega-fight between superstars Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. is reportedly being finalized.

Gareth A Davies of The Telegraph reported that Pacquiao has "completed his contractual agreements," and that Mayweather "is set to sign" as well.

The fight is expected to be announced in the coming days, Davies reported, and it is possible that Mayweather himself could make the announcement ahead of the tip-off of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Davies cited a source close to Pacquiao who said the "Pacman" has "100 percent signed his side of the deal."

"It is now over to Mayweather to close the deal and announce the fight," the source added.

If the fight pushes through, it will likely be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2 and be worth some $250-million.

ESPN.com's boxing writer Dan Rafael, however, said fight fans could not yet celebrate despite the report. "Everyone remain calm," he tweeted.

"Mayweather-Pacquiao is nearing (the) finish line one way or other, but two sources involved said it is not done at this point," Rafael said.

Rafael was also informed by a source directly involved in the negotiations that Mayweather is "the one we need to worry about, not Manny."

Pacquiao last week began light training in his hometown of General Santos City in anticipation of his ring return.

The "Pacman" had triggered discussions when he called out Mayweather following his November 2014 demolition of Chris Algieri in Macau, and Mayweather responded by declaring he wants to fight the Filipino star on May 2.

Negotiations occurred in stops-and-starts, with Pacquiao at one point saying he had agreed to all terms and conditions, while Mayweather reiterated through social media that the fight has yet to be finalized.

The two superstar boxers also met by chance in a Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game in Miami in late January, and then talked for an hour in Pacquiao's hotel suite that same night.

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Pacquiao: Floyd fight to be announced soon

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao arrived back in Manila past 10 p.m. Saturday after a long vacation in the United States that saw him judge the Miss Universe pageant and come face-to-face with rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Asked about the progress of negotiations with the Mayweather camp, Pacquiao only said: "Malapit na i-announce 'yung fight, within this coming few days."

Pacquiao met Mayweather during an NBA game in Miami and the two fighters discussed a potential fight in an hour-long meeting at the Filipino boxer's hotel suite.

During his U.S. trip, Pacquiao also promoted his movie documentary, "Manny," and attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC.

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2 out of 4 Pac-Floyd TV issues resolved, says Arum

MANILA - Boxing promoter Bob Arum has reportedly said that the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight can still be worked out, with 2 out of 4 issues between HBO and Showtime already resolved.

In Tim Dahlberg’s report in Associated Press, Arum said that the rival networks have settled how to broadcast the super bout between Pacquiao and Mayweather.

The network war has been one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the mega bout. Mayweather currently fights exclusively under Showtime while HBO owns the airing rights of Pacquiao’s fights.

"We had four issues and we resolved two," said Arum. "Now we're working on resolving the other two. Unless something else comes up at the last minute, that's what my take is."

Stephen Espinoza of Showtime Sports said there is still no total agreement between the 2 networks.

Espinoza said they still have to resolve serious issues regarding the broadcast rights. Although he is confident that a deal can be worked out, he stressed that the negotiations are still far from being done.

"There are a few significant issues remaining on both the fighter side and the network side of this deal," Espinoza said. "While we are optimistic, it's a bit premature to say that the networks are in total agreement."

‘Arum part of problem'

Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports’ fight analyst Kevin Iole said that Arum’s premature pronouncements may have been hurting the chances of the bout being done.

Iole said the negotiations are at a sensitive stage as the May 2 fight date quickly approaches.

“Arum's insistence on public comments are clearly an impediment to reaching a deal. That is one point that people on both sides of the aisles in these talks agree about,” he said.

“Top Rank president Todd duBoef is irate at Arum, his step-father, but has essentially thrown his hands up in the air and said he can't control Arum. Even Pacquiao's team has gotten upset at Arum's willingness to go on the record with comments that often don't add up.”

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LOOK: Floyd posts photo of hotel meeting with Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Outspoken boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has posted a photo of his recent hotel meeting with Manny Pacquiao online.

Mayweather apparently posted the photo to prove that he's exerting efforts to get the mega fight with Pacquiao done.

But it also looked like a marketing ploy to encourage fans to download the online application @Shots, where the photo was first posted.

"I set up this meeting with Manny Pacquiao to get this fight done but they will continue to tell the public it's us and that's NOT TRUE," said Mayweather in the caption.

"So while we wait y'all go download @Shots ASAP so I can keep you all updated on the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight, that we are trying to make happen."

Mayweather was referring to the hurdles the negotiations are going through.

Both fighters have reportedly agreed to fight in principle, but their networks HBO and Showtime still have to thresh out the airing and replay deal.

Mayweather personally met Pacquiao at courtside during an NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks last week.

A subsequent meeting took place when the American boxer visited Pacquiao's hotel room after the game.

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What HBO has to say about Pacquiao-Floyd fight

MANILA, Philippines – HBO has denied that it is an "impediment" in the negotiations for a potential mega-fight between superstar boxers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

HBO airs Pacquiao's fights, but Mayweather has an exclusive contract with rival network Showtime/CBS.

"We are not an impediment to this fight," HBO said in a statement. "We stand ready to go."

"The principals need to agree to terms and come to a deal," the network added.

HBO and Showtime have previously worked together to promote a fight, when Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson faced off in June 2002.

RingTV reported that among the "major stalling points" is that HBO is insisting on being able to show the replays of the fight.

For the Lewis-Tyson bout, the network who represented the winner earned replay rights; in that case, HBO did after Lewis, their fighter, knocked out Tyson.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao, Floyd finally reach deal: report

Arum, Showtime exec deny report

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr. has reportedly agreed to fight Manny Pacquiao, according to an online report published Saturday.

Celebrity news site TMZ said Pacquiao and Mayweather, today’s top pound-for-pound fighters, have finally hammered out a deal after years of back and forth negotiations.

"Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight Manny Pacquiao ... multiple sources tell TMZ Sports ... who say the two finally came to an agreement moments ago," the site wrote.



The report came out after the two boxers met face-to-face at an NBA game earlier this week. This was followed by another meeting when Mayweather visited Pacquiao at the latter's hotel room.

Both camps are said to have agreed to stage the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2.

The report, however, was disputed by Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum and Showtime Sports boxing chief Stephen Espinoza.

Arum said they have yet to settle the finer details of the bout, hence the reason there has not been any official announcements.

"I'm aware of the report, but there are still some contractual issues to work out," the veteran boxing promoter told New York Daily News. "It’s close but not done yet."

Espinoza, for his part said the TMZ report was inaccurate.

"TMZ usually has good sources. This time, not so much," he said wrote on his official account on social media site Twitter.

But Arum said they could come out will a formal announcement in two days, in time for Super Bowl Sunday (Monday in Manila).

"We have two days, it could happen (Sunday)," he said. "That would be incredible, wouldn’t it?"

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What Pacquiao, Floyd talked about in hotel room

MANILA, Philippines – It seems the highly anticipated mega fight between superstar boxers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will finally come to fruition after the two rivals finally met at an NBA game.

Pacquiao and Mayweather had a brief chat at halftime of the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat, and the "Pacman" later said they exchanged phone numbers.

It was later revealed that Mayweather also visited the Filipino star in his hotel suite in Miami where the two supposedly discussed the details of their long-awaited showdown.

Speaking to Rick Reeno and Steve Kim of Boxing Scene, Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, provided some details of the meeting.

"(Mayweather) was very pleasant, very professional," Koncz said. "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," he added.

Koncz told Boxing Scene that Mayweather was most concerned about the issue of who will broadcast a fight, as the American has an exclusive deal with Showtime/CBS, while Pacquiao works with HBO and Time Warner.

"Manny and I both told him, 'If those are the only issues, those are simple and we can have those fixed in the morning,'" Koncz said. "And in fact, I've confirmed that they've been resolved."

Koncz revealed that Mayweather also connected Pacquiao to Showtime Sports boss Stephen Espinoza, who briefly talked with the "Pacman."

"Floyd put (Espinoza) on the phone with us. I told Floyd, and Manny agreed, if those are the only issues, then no problem, we can take care of it," Koncz said.

Koncz said that upon Pacquiao's instruction, he then called Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who had his own discussions with HBO chief executive Richard Plepler and CBS chief executive Les Moonves.

"Those issues are resolved now," said Koncz.

Arum, in a separate Boxing Scene report, said signs are pointing towards the fight happening, but warned that nothing is set in stone yet.

"I cannot assure you that it is going to happen, but certainly, with this development in Miami and from what I know about the finalization of papers and everything, I have to be optimistic," he said.

"And I know that everybody that I deal with, like Les Moonves of CBS and HBO's Richard Plepler, are all very positive of making this happen," he added.

Arum also told Boxing Scene that the broadcast issues between Showtime and HBO "were solved two weeks ago."

"I think everything is positive, and hopefully, if everything keeps going well, we'll get it wrapped up by the end of the week," he said.

Pacquiao and Mayweather's meeting in Miami happened purely by chance as the Filipino boxer's flight back to the Philippines was delayed due to a winter storm and he decided to watch the Heat game instead.

It was the first time that Pacquiao and Mayweather have ever met in person.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao, Floyd finally meet at Heat-Bucks game

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally met each other – and even exchanged numbers – at an NBA game.



Both Pacquiao and Mayweather were at courtside when the Miami Heat hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Arena.

The fighters, who are in the midst of negotiations for a May 2 super fight, were introduced on the arena's big screen, and the video board even read "Coming in 2015?" when they were shown, according to South Florida Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman.

At halftime, Mayweather approached Pacquiao and the two briefly spoke and shook hands. The "Pacman" later revealed that they exchanged numbers.

"He gave me his number to me and said we will communicate with each other," said Pacquiao, as quoted by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

Pacquiao told reporters at the arena that it was the first time he has ever spoken to Mayweather in person.

The Filipino boxer also said that he was informed only a minute before halftime that Mayweather would be approaching him.

Mayweather, for his part, said that he wanted to talk to Pacquiao about "all the lies" that have been hampering the discussions between their camps.

Reynolds later reported that Pacquiao was only at the Heat-Bucks game because his flight had been cancelled due to Winter Storm Juno.

Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick also reported that Pacquiao was spotted outside the Miami Heat's locker room ahead of the game. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra is part-Filipino.

Skolnick further reported that when the two boxers were shown on the big screen, Mayweather "gets a much louder reaction than Pacquiao, good and bad."

Pacquiao has repeatedly said that he has agreed to all terms set by Mayweather for a May 2 fight, and is only waiting for the American boxer to sign the contract.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Days before deadline, Pacquiao confident Floyd fight will happen

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao still remains confident that a fight between him and American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen, and insists that the unbeaten champion can no longer make any excuse to avoid him.

"I think it will happen, I believe that," said Pacquiao, as quoted by Boxing Scene. "If this doesn't happen now, I don't think it will, so now is the time."

"If you ask me what the percentage is, it's 80-20 (that it will happen)," he added.

Pacquiao has said in numerous interviews that he has agreed to all terms set by Mayweather, and that he and his camp are now just waiting for the American to put pen to paper and sign the contract.

Yet Mayweather has been reluctant to sign, saying last week that Pacquiao has no authority to sign off on anything as he is merely a "pawn" of Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum.

The "Pacman," however, believes that Mayweather is now feeling the pressure.

"He's got no alibi," said Pacquiao. "Blood testing is no longer a problem, Bob Arum – the promoter – is no longer a problem. Now there are no more problems."

"The fans are pressuring him," Pacquiao continued. "I tell them we have agreed to everything – the rules and regulations are not a problem."

Pacquiao said he is even willing to take a lesser share of the purse – long thought to be one of the primary sticking points in the negotiations between the two camps.

"I will take 40 (percent) to 60. I'm okay with that, for the sake of the fans," said the Filipino champion.

"We are just waiting for you to sign the contract," he stressed.

Mayweather has not spoken in public since last week, when he insisted that Pacquiao had "no say so" in the negotiations.

A report by Steve Bunce on The Independent, however, claims that the American is set to make his announcement later this week, and that Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto is the "heavy favorite" to land the fight.

Cotto has already fought Mayweather in May 2012, losing a competitive decision in an entertaining bout.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao wants to fight American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. so they can finally determine who is the true No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Pacquiao has made it clear that he has agreed to all terms for a May 2 fight against Mayweather, and is only waiting for the American to put his name on the dotted line.

"The challenge is… we know he's undefeated and claiming he's No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world," Pacquiao said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"I just want to prove who's really No. 1," he added. "If the fight is on, and he beats me, I'm really convinced me he is No. 1."

"If not, I'm No. 1."

Pacquiao has said Mayweather has until the end of the month to sign the contract for the fight, otherwise he will move on to Plan B.

Pacquiao told the LA Times that British boxer Amir Khan and "a lot of boxers" are potential opponents for him should a Mayweather fight fall through, but he genuinely wants to fight the American.

"We just want to make that fight happen," he said, "for the sake of the fans, for the sake of millions of people around the world who are excited to see that fight."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com