BIG U.S. TV NETWORKS PRESSURE MAYWEATHER TO FIGHT PACQUIAO
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Oct 2014
Now, it is not only the fight fans who are clamoring for the most awaited boxing match up of the century - undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather versus 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
Two of America's biggest TV sports network, HBO and Showtime, are reportedly initiating talks on how to bring Mayweather and Pacquiao in the ring for the staging of the biggest boxing event with expectedly the biggest boxing payday for both fighters estimated at least $50-M each.
Yesterday, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao hinted that his meeting with Mayweather may happen next year adding that there are on-going talks between HBO and Showtime.
HBO carries Pacquiao's fights while Showtime has the exclusive rights over Mayweather's fights following a $100-M TV deal with the flamboyant but oftentimes abrasive and trouble-prone American boxing champion.
"It could happen next year," Pacquiao told me yesterday during a one-on-one meeting where we briefly discussed his forthcoming fight with another undefeated American champion Chris Algieri scheduled November in Macau and lengthily talked about his political and boxing plans.
Pacquiao said he was informed by sources that Showtime would like Mayweather to take the fight against him because it could be the TV network's opportunity to recover its huge investments on Mayweather.
Whether Mayweather will eventually yield to the mounting pressure from fight fans and now the big TV networks to take the fight against the Filipino boxing icon, Pacquiao said he is really keen on staging one of his world title fights in the Philippines before he hangs up his gloves.
"But right now, I would like to focus on the Algieri fight," said Pacquiao who instructed his business adviser Michael Koncz to advise people asking for an audience or appointment with him that he wants to concentrate on his training and that he could not entertain them yet.
"Please tell them to please understand that I want to train hard and focus on this fight against Algieri," I heard Pacquiao tell Koncz after the Canadian adviser informed the champion that a friend wanted to ask for an appointment with him.
While largely unknown, the undefeated Algieri is considered a dangerous opponent because of his resilience inside the ring and his ability to absorb punches and survive.
The undefeated American is also taller and younger than Pacquiao.
In the field of politics, Pacquiao said he has not made up his mind yet on whether to finish his third and last term as Saranggani representative or accept the draft to run for the Senate.
After an early morning run in the Acharon Sports Complex, Manny Pacquiao played chess with a physically disabled person (top photo) followed by breakfast with the author in a roadside carenderia in Calumpang District, Gen. Santos City Thursday (above photo).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.
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