Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Rumors: Billion Dollar Fight to Happen Next Year?
After Manny Pacquiao dominated in his fight with Chris Algieri in Macau, boxing fans are wondering whether this means that the most-awaited fight will finally take place next year— the Pac-man vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. match.
After he was declared the winner, the pound-for-pound champion was all smiles as he gave a funny response when he was asked if the Mayweather fight is truly happening. The Filipino fighter gave the emcee an incredulous look and jumped up and down while shouting, "He's going to fight me? He's going to fight me? Yes! Yes!" to the delight of fans in the Cotai Arena.
Pacquiao was playing off a new commercial where he celebrates thinking that Mayweather has agreed to the match.
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At the post-fight press conference, Pacquiao said, "For me, the fans deserve to see that fight. People can prepare for it early next year."
Pacquiao went into the ring with Algieri saying that he needed a power win to entice Mayweather to fight him. The Pac-man knocked Algieri down once in the second round, two more times in the sixth, and twice more in the ninth round.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has been accused of blocking the fight the world has been waiting for years to see.
"If boxing wants to be considered a major sport then the fight between Manny and Floyd has to happen," he said previously. "On our side, we're doing all we can to bring it about but their nonsense has to stop."
The Pacquiao- Mayweather fight is estimated to have a prize of $1 billion, which is said to be the highest prize in sporting history.
Arum and CBS Corp. chairman Les Moonves have reportedly had discussions about the fight in recent months. Mayweather is under contract with CBS/Showtime while Pacquiao is under contract with Time Warner/ HBO.
It is being reported that the AT&T Stadium is being considered as a venue for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight which could take place in April or May next year, if it does push through.
