MANILA, Philippines – Here?s something to greet the New Year on a positive note: Negotiations are still on for Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao?s adviser, Mike Koncz, said they?re working on the fight, contrary to what other people think, and they?re moving in the right direction.
?We?re still in negotiations with Floyd?s group through Top Rank,? Koncz told Lem Satterfield of Ring Magazine as the world welcomed 2015.
Everybody wants the fight to happen this year.
Koncz said talks are on and that he has updated Pacquiao on the developments. He did not say what the discussions are about but it?s got something to do with money.
Koncz recently said that before they discuss anything else like the date, venue and weight, ?We have to see how the financial negotiations go.? Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The fight could generate at least $200 million in revenues. How to split the purse is something that could take weeks or even months to agree on.
Mayweather once offered Pacquiao $40 million all in to do the fight. But the Filipino boxer turned it down, saying it?s not a fair deal.
Recently, Mayweather said he?s now ready to fight Pacquiao but stated clearly that it would be under his own terms.
?Then let?s do it,? said Pacquiao, adding that, ?I?m not after material things.?
An investment group from Abu Dhabi has offered $200 million to host the fight, and $120 million should go to Mayweather.
Koncz did not say if they?re considering the offer because it?s not likely that Mayweather would fight Pacquiao outside Las Vegas.
?I spoke to Manny this morning. I gave Manny what is perceived to be a counter offer from the Mayweather people,? Koncz told Satterfield.
Koncz said Top Rank chief Bob Arum is on it.
?We discussed it and now I?ve given instruction to Bob to counter their counter. We?ve been going back and forth. Bob has been negotiating with the powers that be on Floyd?s side for the past couple of weeks.
There?s been offers and counter offers, and a couple of days ago Bob called me and gave me allegedly where Floyd?s side is, and I discussed that with Manny two hours ago,? said Koncz.
?Now I?ve given Bob our response to that. I?m never overly optimistic until the contract is signed, but the good thing is that we?re still going back and forth,? he added.
