WBA and WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn't announce his fight with eight-time division world champ Manny Pacquiao in the 2015 All-Star Game, contrary to a report by Telegraph writer Gareth Davis.
Mayweather, who spent the weekend exchanging high-fives with NBA stars and hosting a luxurious All-Star party in downtown New York, downplayed the rumors that a contract had already been signed by Pacquiao's camp and he was scheduled to announce their $250 million mega-fight during the All-Star game.
Although he did get an off-side interview while the East and West All-Star were duking it out on the hard court, the five-division world champion cleared that neither he nor Pacquiao already signed a contract, but he's hopeful they'll complete the finishing touches of the deal in the coming days.
"I haven't signed yet and he hasn't signed yet." Mayweather said in an interview via BBC News. "It's just been speculations and rumors. But I'm hopeful we can make the fight happen."
Mayweather's recent remark finally put the story of English boxing writer Gareth Davis to rest after his report about Pacquiao and Mayweather agreeing to their mega-fight drew tremendous attention on various social media platform on Saturday.
In Davis report, he mentioned that a source close to Pacquiao told him that Pacquiao has actually signed the contract containing the terms and other demands of Mayweather's camp, which includes conceding the lion's share of the 60-40 fight purse split.
"Manny has 100 per cent signed his side of the deal," the source told Telegraph Sport. "It is now over to Mayweather to close the deal and announce the fight." Pacquiao himself revealed Friday that he has started training in General Santos City, Philippines for his next fight.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been negotiating for the past few weeks, trying to make a fight expected to break all sorts of records, including gates and pay-per-view revenues. According to previous reports, both camps have already agreed on the venue and date of their showdown (MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on May 2), but HBO and Showtime are still millions apart regarding their share in PPV sales.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
