The fight that just won’t go away could be getting closer to becoming a reality... depending on who you ask.
We’re starting to trend into that weird territory so exclusive to combat sports where a fight can be both 99% a done deal, and at the same time nowhere near completion. The Pacqiuao-Mayweather zone, for short.
Ever since the idea of Conor McGregor fighting Floyd Mayweather was first proposed, the idea has only been gaining steam. Two of the biggest stars in the combat sports landscape with the potential to bring a whole lot of money in a massive PPV spectacle, the idea practically sells itself. Mayweather says he wants it, McGregor sounds interested, and the UFC has shown some willingness to find a way.
So, is it happening? Floyd Mayweather seems to think so, telling ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, “We’re getting very, very close” to getting the fight booked.
Of course, just because “Money” talks doesn’t necessarily mean we should take his word as gospel. Veteran boxing reporter and Senior Writer for Yahoo! Sports, Chris Mannix has a much less bullish update on the current state of negotiations.
The “overseas report” Mannix is speaking of is a piece in the Irish Sun, saying that a deal for the fight is nearing completion. Even going so far as to suggest that the bout may be announced in the next “two weeks.” The Sun’s source for this info did reveal, however, that “the contract hasn’t officially been signed yet because of a third party hold-up but all the details have been agreed on.”
No word on who that “third party” is, but it’s not hard to guess.
Even if the deal is nowhere near complete, and even if the UFC’s involvement grinds negotiations to a halt, it seems there are real attempts ongoing to get this fight made. And, maybe like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, if we wait long enough it’ll actually happen.
