May bout sealed but not signed

MANILA, Philippines - Showtime executive vice president for sports Stephen Espinoza went to Twitter yesterday and doused cold water on latest  speculations that a bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will take place in May.

“Not sure what anyone is signing since no agreement has been finalized yet,” he said.

“An imaginary contract, maybe. Real one not finished yet,” Espinoza added. 

Sealed but neither signed nor delivered.

He reacted to a report coming out of London yesterday saying that  Mayweather and Pacquiao have finally agreed to fight.

The Telegraph cited an unidentified source who said the fight is on and that Mayweather is just about to make the announcement.

It said Pacquiao has signed off from his side regarding the $250 million welterweight contest that should take place May 2 at the MGM Grand.

The report said most crucial points have been agreed upon, including a 60-40 split of the purse favoring Mayweather.

The use of eight-ounce gloves and the drug-testing procedures have also been agreed on.

How Showtime and HBO will work on a joint pay-per-view venture has been on the negotiating table for quite some time now.             The lucrative network deal is a big piece of the puzzle.

Pacquiao bared on national television last Friday that the fight is on, and that all that’s needed is Mayweather’s signature.

But it’s Mayweather’s signature that matters. It’s his word that matters.

Former light-heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver raised more hopes when he said that yes, the fight is a done deal.

“See y’all in Vegas on May 2,” said Tarver on Twitter.

“I’m hearing it’s a done deal… 100 (percent) man,” said the ex-champion who enjoys close ties with Mayweather’s adviser, Al Haymon.