A matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather actually might be in the works.
Boxing fans went crazy when they saw the two welterweight champions meet at halftime of Tuesday’s Miami Heat game, but it turns out they also met in private later. According to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, Mayweather went to Pacquiao’s hotel room to discuss the possible May 2 fight.
“It was very pleasant and very encouraging, and we give Floyd credit for coming over,” Koncz told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “That’s the first time they ever sat eye to eye. I’ve met Floyd many times, but he and Manny had never had a chance to meet. They talked at halftime, but this was a longer, more serious meeting. You could tell by their body language that this was very positive. It was for a good hour or more.
“It was a business meeting, but it wasn’t a tense business meeting. I think that’s because they both have mutual respect for each other. We’ll determine what will happen over the next couple of days.”
The one issue with the fight is that Pacquiao has a contract with Time Warner/HBO and Mayweather has one with CBS/Showtime. The two sides would need to come to terms over splitting a pay-per-view match. It’s been done before, but if the two sides can’t reach an agreement, Pacquiao has a May 30 fight in mind, possibly against England’s Amir Khan.
Still, Koncz said Pacquiao and Mayweather want it to happen.
“I think people are just tired of all of this,” Koncz told ESPN. “Me and Manny, and maybe Floyd, we’re tired of the fans and everybody, everywhere we go continually asking us when the fight will happen. Boxing needs this fight to happen, and it needs to happen in May.”
Mayweather photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
Pacquiao photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
