A week ago, even some staunch cynics conceded that they suddenly had a little hope for the fight that should?ve been made five years ago.
The impromptu public meeting between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at halftime of a Miami Heat game generated so much excitement on social media, you would?ve thought they had signed contracts during their subsequent sit-down at Pacquiao?s hotel suite that night.
They didn?t. They still haven?t.
Truthfully, it?s difficult to determine if they?re actually any closer to making Mayweather-Pacquiao than they were a year ago. Or two years ago. Or five years ago.
What we do know is that if Mayweather wants this fight to happen, it will. Same as always.
Only now, boxing?s biggest star has even more leverage. Pacquiao?s pay-per-view numbers are way down, and he was knocked unconscious two years ago by an opponent, Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, whom Mayweather dominated three years earlier.
Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) reportedly has made monetary concessions in negotiations because the Filipino superstar realizes, largely due to the aforementioned facts, that this no longer is a 50-50 situation. Representatives for both sides seemingly agree Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) will make more money if they fight ? just as the undefeated, five-division champion should.
Other issues that previously prevented Mayweather-Pacquiao from occurring ? most notably Pacquiao agreeing to random testing for performance-enhancing drugs ? are no longer impediments, either.
Unfortunately, two fights remain on the six-fight, 30-month contract Mayweather signed with Showtime nearly two years ago. That contract guarantees Mayweather at least $32 million per fight and affords him the right to pick from a list of opponents he approved prior to signing it.
Pacquiao isn?t even on the list, which means Mayweather can continue making absurd sums of money for pay-per-view fights Mayweather might be more confident about winning. His most obvious options are Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KOs), whom Mayweather beat by unanimous decision in May 2012, and England?s Amir Khan (30-3, 19 KOs).
Despite the supposed momentum Mayweather and Pacquiao established last week, it?s tough to imagine Mayweather picking Pacquiao over Cotto or Khan. Maybe Mayweather will surprise us by finally fighting Pacquiao.
If he doesn?t, well, that really shouldn?t surprise anyone.
