MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao sat at ringside Sunday evening to watch Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals between Alaska Milk and San Miguel Beer.
But even before he could enjoy the action, the eight-division boxing champion dealt with questions concerning his potential fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao confirmed reports that there is progress in the negotiations but said there’s nothing to announce. He said the next few days could be crucial.
“We will announce it when it’s done,” said Pacquiao, who’s been dying to get the fight that fight fans have been dreaming of.
“Siguro this month (Maybe this month),” said Pacquiao, who sat beside his import in the next PBA conference, 7-foot-4 Puerto Rican PJ Ramos.
The Los Angeles Times said a couple of days ago that there’s progress in the negotiations, and that both camps have already agreed on the venue – the MGM Grand.
What’s left to be agreed upon are the date, the weight and the most important of all – the sharing of the purse.
It could happen in May or June.
The fight is expected to generate at least $200 million, and if Mayweather gets 60 percent of it then he’ll be guaranteed $120 million.
An investment group in Abu Dhabi has also dangled a $120 million offer to Mayweather to make the Pacquiao fight happen in the Middle East.
But nothing came out of it and Mayweather didn’t bite.
Mayweather considers the MGM Grand in Vegas his second home, and even when he doesn’t have a scheduled fight, there’s a giant image of him outside the hotel.
If he can get $120 million fighting in Vegas, then there’s really no reason for him to go somewhere else.
Pacquiao said he’d fight Mayweather anywhere, anytime and for any price that’s fair. He’s not seeking the lion’s share of the purse.
“We’re negotiable people. If we need to get less to get the fight then we’ll do that,” said Pacquiao’s chief adviser, Michael Koncz.