Mayweather vs Pacquiao

I just saw this on the Philippine Star. Looks like the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is finally going to happen.

MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants the fight against Manny Pacquiao, and said the ball is now in the hands of the Filipino superstar.

The undefeated American finally broke his silence following reports or speculations that negotiations are on for the great showdown between him and Pacquiao.

Mayweather said on Twitter he’s hoping for the fight to happen on May 5. He said he can sign the contract anytime, and expects Pacquiao to follow.

“May 5, 2012,” was his latest tweet as of 4 p.m. yesterday (Manila time).

He must be looking forward to the day he gets to fight Pacquiao and finally provide the answer as to who the greatest boxer of this era is.

Some consider Pacquiao as the reigning pound-for-pound champion, and the others consider Mayweather as the best, considering Pacquiao’s performance against Juan Manuel Marquez last Nov. 12.

Mayweather yesterday sounded like he can’t wait for the fight to finally happen.

And if it does, there’s no other place to do it than Las Vegas. Mayweather should be the favorite as well, and betting lines already have him at -140, and Pacquiao at +110.

“I’ve been told May 5 is open,” Mayweather was quoted in a CNN article.

“Losing is in Pacquiao’s mind because he lost just last week. He lost to Marquez three times. May 5 is the date, sign the contract, I’m waiting,” he said.

Pacquiao barely got past Marquez when Mayweather breezed past the Mexican in 2009. Pacquiao said Mayweather must have seen the fight that he is no longer afraid to face him.

“Nakita niya siguro yung laban ko kay Marquez kaya hindi na siya takot (He must’ve seen my fight against Marquez that’s why he’s not scared of me anymore),” said Pacquiao.

Mayweather is 34 and Pacquiao is turning 33. Boxing chronicler Michael Marley said the other day both fighters must have realized they’re getting old, and should do the fight now.

“I can’t be sitting waiting all day, you want to fight let’s make it happen. I’m here. I’m waiting. What’s going on? I can sign today. If I sign today you better sign tomorrow,” Mayweather said.

“You said you’re a clean athlete and you said you’d take the test so let’s do it,” added Mayweather.

The fight that should break all existing records in boxing, from fight purse to pay-per-view sales, came close to happening twice, but for so many reasons it never did.

The drug-testing procedure stood in between the two fighters, but Top Rank’s Bob Arum said it’s no longer an issue this time, if and when negotiations formally resume.

It’s more about the purse split, and again, with all the money on the table, experts think there’s no reason why both camps can’t find ways to make the fight happen.

“I hope that fight does happen. I think it would be the best fight in the world and I would love to see it,” said Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach.

Moments after Pacquiao defeated Marquez, the reigning WBO welterweight champion called Mayweather’s name.

“Let’s get it on. Make the fight happen and let’s give people a good fight,” Pacquiao said on top of the ring.

Yes, finally, it could happen.

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