AN optimistic Manny Pacquiao told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that he expects an announcement to be made on the eagerly awaited mega-buck fight against undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. within the month.
The Fighter of the Decade spoke to Manila Standard by telephone during the halftime break of Game 3 of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Alaska at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion sounded upbeat when he said: “We will make an announcement before the end of the month. I think it (the fight) will happen.”
While not certain about a date for the possible showdown with Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao said it could be May 2, “because that’s what he (Mayweather) wants.”
He also indicated that his KIA team is in hard training for the import-laden conference and that he will begin training for the Mayweather fight “depending on when the fight will take place.”
Pacquiao’s training with the KIA team, which has recruited a towering 7’4” center, has helped him stay in shape physically.
Meantime, the Los Angeles Times reported there is no final agreement on the purse split, although Mayweather is demanding at least 60 per cent of the money and that Pacquiao is willing to meet that demand. It also mentioned that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight may be finalized in seven to 10 days.
The the site’s source also said the calendar is a factor.
According to the same report, both sides have already agreed on the venue of the fight, the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the drug-testing conditions for both fighters.
The target date is apparently May or June, 2015 and as per Mayweather himself, the American wants specifically the May 2, 2015 date.
If the Cinco de Mayo weekend date will be taken by Mayweather-Pacquiao, it will most likely move the planned Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez bout to a later date in 2015.