During the All-Star Game in New York City this past weekend, Floyd Mayweather Jr. gave a quick interview to an on-site reporter David Aldridge, stating that nothing has yet been signed, despite some rumors claiming that Manny Pacquiao has already done so: “I haven’t signed yet, and he hasn’t signed yet. It’s just been speculation and rumors,” declared Mayweather Jr.
In the midst of all the speculations, this statement came not as much a disappointment, but more of a surprise. Although it is hard to classify anything as a surprise when it comes to the Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao history, Floyd’s direct confirmation that no paperwork has yet been touched by either camp was contrary to the many rumors of the fight being announced any second now.
Floyd’s statement was recently confirmed by Manny Pacquiao himself: “There is no contract but there is an agreement,” Pacquiao reported to Philboxing.com.
An agreement is something exceedingly different from a contract. A verbal agreement has too many ways that it can fall apart, and too many opportunities for either side to create new demands to fit their personal gain. It is well known that getting together and putting their signatures on paper is the most difficult part to arrive at. Thus, the likelihood of the fight taking place on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas might be smaller that we all think.
Nevertheless, Pacquiao confirmed that the negotiations were ongoing, and that Mayweather Jr. has made a demand that he announce the fight once everything has been signed.