By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com was advised, by two sources who are close to the situation, that a deal has been reached for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight Juan Manuel Marquez. The proposed date [unless there is some change] is July 18 on HBO pay-per-view. The two sides have been negotiating for several weeks and the biggest roadblock was the catch-weight. The exact weight was not disclosed to me, but from what I understand the two sides agreed on a weight below 145-pounds.
Mayweather has not fought since a ten round knockout of Ricky Hatton in December 2007. Marquez, considered by many as the number-two pound-for-pound fighter in the world, would rise up from the lightweight division to take the fight.
I don't want to say the "fight is 100% done" because only Marquez has signed off. Mayweather has yet to do so - or at least as I'm writing this. I've been told that Mayweather expected to sign off on the fight and an official announcement will happen in the next few days.
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