Manny Pacquaio vs Floyd Mayweather Fight News 2015: Boxers Exchange Numbers at Miami Heat Game
NBA and boxing fans were in for a surprise when Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. both attended the Miami Heat game on Tuesday night.
According to Fox Sports, both boxers were seated courtside, directly across each other. At halftime, Mayweather went over to Pacquiao, and the two shook hands and chatted briefly, then exchanged phone numbers.
Pacquiao said that he had never met Mayweather in person before.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"He gave his number to me and said we will communicate with each other," said the Filipino boxer told the Associated Press. When asked if their chat meant that they would negotiate directly about having the much-anticipated boxing match, Pacquiao said that was the case.
It was pure coincidence that both boxers were at the game on Tuesday. Pacquiao has been in Miami for several days after serving as one of the judges in the Miss Universe pageant in Florida. He was reportedly supposed to leave Tuesday night, but his flight was canceled because of the snow storm. The Filipino boxer then decided to come to the Heat-Bucks game. A noted basketball fan, he is also said to be good friends with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Mayweather is also a regular fixture at Heat games for several years now.
After the game, ESPN reports that Mayweather headed to Pacquiao's hotel and the two had a meeting for over an hour to continue discussing their terms and conditions for the proposed May 2 fight.
Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz told ESPN, "It was very pleasant and encouraging, and we give Floyd credit for coming over. That's the first time they ever sat eye-to-eye. I've met Floyd many times, but he and Manny never had a chance to meet. They talked at half-time, but this was a longer, more serious meeting. You could tell by their body language that this was very positive."
"It was a business meeting, but it wasn't a tense business meeting. I think that's because they both have mutual respect for each other. We'll determine what will happen over the next couple of days," added Koncz.
