General Admission

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight this year

AL MENDOZA - GEN ADMISSION

By Al S. Mendoza

 

LIKE the United Nations, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are still talking.

Which means, that is a good sign.

As we all know, nations keep on talking at the UN HQ in New York—even as many of what they agree on are not actually being enforced to the consternation of many.

But that is what the UN is all about anyways:  It just talk and talk and talk; discuss and discuss and discuss.

But the truth is what they draft in the UN as a rule, a measure, or a resolution—each is not enforceable, executory.

The UN can decide, but mostly, it cannot force nations to implement its decisions.

But, of course, it’s different when people commit to do things, especially when an agreement is signed on the dotted lines by both parties.

Such is the case of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight being cooked up the last five years or so.

There may not be firm commitments as yet as when it’s going to happen, but the fact the talks have not stopped could only signify the fight happening soon isn’t dead.  N’yet.

There will always be pessimists and optimists but at this stage, the optimists may be leading the contest.

Already, certain clear contents on the fight contract are nearly done.

One, the parties have already agreed to have the fight held at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Two, they have already agreed on a blood-testing system very similar to that of the Olympic-style of blood screening.

Three, the bout is to be targeted for May or June.

Four, Pacquiao has agreed for a 40-percent share, with Mayweather pocketing 60 percent of the purse.

Five, Showtime and HBO will televise jointly the bout, similar to that of the 2002 heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

Mayweather has a six-fight contract with Showtime worth $100 million.

Pacquiao has been under HBO contract since his fight promoter Bob Arum took over his career in 2006.

Mayweather is two fights short of completing the 6-fight deal with Showtime.

That makes Pacquiao a logical foe, if not a must-bout, in one of Mayweather’s remaining two clashes under Showtime.

But as I have also said here, Mayweather maybe forced to fight a much-lesser dangerous foe before taking on Pacquiao.

That should serve as Mayweather’s tune-up fight to make him amply prepared for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao had already had his tune-up in Chris Algieri, whom he knocked down six times in November for a lopsided points victory that unfurled somewhat Pacquiao’s readiness to face Mayweather.

Thus, I repeat:  The much-awaited fight since the Thrilla in Manila in 1975 between Ali and Frazier will happen this year.

If not, then Jojo Binay might not become the next president.

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