ans collide: Mayweather - Pacquiao now set for March 13th, waiting for contract

[Cry Havoc]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1259...googlenews_wsj

NEW YORK -- Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have signed off on the major issues in the negotiation for a bout on March 13, and contracts could be signed in the next few days, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum met with Mr. Pacquiao in his native Philippines on Friday and the champion -- who has held belts from flyweight to welterweight -- agreed to terms with only minor changes, said the person, who requested anonymity because the sides agreed not to speak publicly during negotiations.

Mr. Arum planned to return to the United States on Sunday and present the amended terms to Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer, the person said. Mr. Schaefer is negotiating on behalf of Mr. Mayweather and his promotional company.

An announcement could come Tuesday, which would coincide with Mr. Arum's 78th birthday.

No site has been determined, but Top Rank plans to send a survey team to Dallas next week to examine the new, $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium, the person said. Team owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that the Cowboys "are still desirous of looking at what we can do."

The other possibilities are the New Orleans Superdome and venues in Las Vegas, including the MGM Grand and a temporary outdoor stadium on the Strip.

The fight would be for Mr. Pacquiao's WBO welterweight le, which he won in November with an impressive 12th-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

Michael Koncz, who is advising Mr. Pacquiao, said Friday that the contracts need "fine tuning" but declined to elaborate. Mr. Koncz added that Mr. Pacquiao is "very comfortable" with March 13.

"Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem," Mr. Koncz said. "The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem and it's pretty much a done deal."

The bout, between two of the world's top five pound-for-pound boxers, could be the richest ever, assuming projections are accurate. Mr. Pacquiao's fight against Cotto sold 1.25 million pay-per-views, while Mr. Mayweather's comeback victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in September attracted 1.05 million.

The richest fight ever was in May 2007, when mr. Mayweather's split-decision win over Oscar De La Hoya generated 2.4 million buys for $120 million in pay-per-view revenue.

The potential Pacquiao-Mayweather fight certainly would generate widespread international appeal, pitting the flamboyant American Mayweather against the popular and charismatic Filipino.

Mr. Pacquiao has won an unprecedented seven les in seven weight divisions, although his popularity has grown far beyond the sport. He was featured on the cover of the Asian version of Time magazine, is wrapping up filming of an action movie called "Wapakman," and submitted his candidacy for the 2010 elections on Tuesday.

"The difference between Floyd and others I have fought is that Floyd makes a lot of trash talk that should not be imitated by young people," Mr. Pacquiao told GMA television, when asked about the potential matchup.

Mr. Pacquiao's political ambitions are the reason the fight was moved up to mid-March. He plans to start campaigning in April in his second attempt at a congressional seat.

"March 13 is OK," Mr. Pacquiao told GMA.

"Nobody knows his body better than Manny," Mr. Koncz said. "If Manny feels that that's plenty of time to rest and recover, then you know, he has to do what he feels is right."

Mr. Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach would again begin their training in the Philippines, even though Mr. Pacquiao is such a national hero that hundreds of people trail him on morning runs and crowd around gym windows to watch him spar. Mr. Roach expressed concern about the distraction before Mr. Pacquiao demolished Mr. Cotto in the most impressive display of his career.

The Filipino champion has said he would spend about 12 weeks in camp, rather than the eight weeks he normally takes to prepare for a fight. That would mean Mr. Pacquiao would begin working out in about three weeks.

[TheTruth]

I probably won't be able to afford tickets to the fight if it's in Vegas, but I would rather it happen there. I'd be able to afford a ticket to that monstrosity in Dallas, but this fight has to happen in Vegas.

FILIPINO, FILIPINO, FILIPINO!!!!