To the delight of all, it appears the social media jabs and private meetings will actually result in a Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather fight.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told the New York Post on Friday a deal between the two superstar boxers could be finalized in “the next couple of days.”
MORE: Mayweather, Pacquiao meet after Heat game | UFC 183 odds and picks | Video: Climbing Niagara Falls
“Everybody is doing the right thing,” Arum said. “We’re looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the next couple of days it will get done.”
The two met earlier this week in Pacquiao’s hotel suite after a Miami Heat game, a chance meeting that may have been the most impactful night of negotiations.
“I think it helped a lot because we were all putting papers together, and there was still a question as to whether Floyd really wanted to do the fight or not,” Arum said. “Based on the meeting with Pacquiao in the hotel suite, Manny and (Pacquiao adviser) Michael Koncz were convinced Floyd absolutely wants to do the fight.”
The fight is tentatively scheduled for May 2, and the two sides must have worked out a broadcast plan that includes both HBO and Showtime.
“The issues are being narrowed down to extraordinarily small points,” Arum said.
According to the New York Post, the fight is expected to bring in between $250 million and $300 million.