Boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather saw each other during Tuesday night's Miami Heat- Milwaukee Bucks game in Miami. Reports indicate that following a face-to-face encounter and brief halftime discussion, the champions met privately to discuss the proposed May 2 fight.
Following the initial meeting at the American Airlines Arena, Bernard Cloma, a friend of Pacquiao, 36, the fight is pretty much set.
Speaking to the GMA Network, he says Mayweather went to Manny's hotel in the evening. He says the May 2 fight will happen because the Floyd, 37, wants the fight to happen on that date.
Cloma also shared that among the witnesses, those present with the two boxers included Manny's wife Jinkee, and Mayweather's Filipino assistant.
While there are many contradicting reports as to what went down during the initial talks, Cloma claims that it was Mayweather who approached Pacquiao and was the one who initiated the exchange of phone numbers by asking to get Manny's contact details.
Cloma posted a number of photos over Instagram from game night including one of the rival boxers exchanging digits. Manny is seen holding his cellphone as Floyd looks on.
Relatedly, ESPN's recent report also confirms the undefeated American boxer and eight-division world champion continued talks inside PacMan's hotel suite.
"It was very pleasant and very encouraging, and we give Floyd credit for coming over," said Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz to ESPN on Wednesday. "That's the first time they ever sat eye to eye. I've met Floyd many times, but he and Manny had never had a chance to meet. They talked at halftime, but this was a longer, more serious meeting. You could tell by their body language that this was very positive. It was for a good hour or more."
He added that the meeting he was able to sit in, "wasn't a tense business meeting. I think that's because they both have mutual respect for each other."
Unfortunately, as much as fans would love to see a confirmed superfight, the agreement was finalized Tuesday. "We'll determine what will happen over the next couple of days," teased Koncz.
Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum has previously said they've agreed to all the terms of the fight put forth by Mayweather and his camp. The Filipino athlete and politician has given Floyd until the end of the month to agree to the fight. Rumors are if the May 2 bout falls through, Pacquiao could be facing off against Amir Khan.
What're your thoughts? Do you think the superfight estimated to generate $1 billion dollars will actually happen?
