Manny Pacquiao Says There Is Now An 80 Percent Chance He Will Fight Floyd Mayweather, Boxers Exchange Numbers At Heat Game
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have yet to face each other in the ring. However, the two boxers finally met each other in person during a chance encounter at a Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game. Mayweather has been a fixture of Miami Heat games for a while now, and Pacquaio (who was in Miami because of the Miss Universe pageant) is a friend of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. It was a coincidence that the two were in the same stadium, but fans were nevertheless excited.
During halftime, Mayweather went over to Manny Pacquaio and shook his hand. The two then exchanged numbers, fueling speculation that the long-awaited Pacquaio vs. Mayweather bout is finally happening.
“He gave his number to me and said we will communicate with each other,” said Pacquiao, who revealed that this is the first time he met Mayweather in person.
Last month, Mayweather said that he’s ready to fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2. However, contracts have yet to be signed. Mayweather also repeated his claims that the match kept being pushed back because of Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum. He also alleges that the fight five years ago never happened because Pacquiao didn’t want to undergo blood tests.
In a recent interview with Ringside Special, Manny Pacquiao had some words to say to Mayweather.
“I think it will happen, I believe that. If this doesn’t happen now I don’t think it will, so now is the time. If you ask me what the percentage is, it’s 80-20 [that it will happen].”
Manny Pacquiao added, “I think he’s got pressure. He’s got no alibi – blood testing is no longer a problem, Bob Arum the promoter is no longer a problem, now there are no more problems. The fans are pressuring him. I tell them we have agreed to everything, the rules and regulations are not a problem.”
Pacquiao also said that he is willing to take a smaller cut just to make the match happen. “And if you want it higher, I am happy with that. I will take 40 [percent of the purse] to 60. I’m OK with that – for the sake of the fans. We are just waiting for you to sign the contract,” Pacquiao said.
People are definitely excited for the match. However, some boxing analysts think that the match is five years too late since both Pacquiao and Mayweather are past their primes. Although, it’s worth noting that they’re still the two best pound-for-pound boxers right now.
[Image via YouTube]
