By Mark Vester

After a few short weeks of back and forth negotiations, both Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton have agreed to stage their May 2 bout in Las Vegas. Hatton's side was attempting to have the fight take place in England. Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, who represent Hatton, has advised the Los Angeles Times that both fighters are now on the same page.

Schaefer and Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, will hold meetings this week in Las Vegas with Planet Hollywood executive Robert Earl and MGM/Mirage sports chief Richard Sturm - to reach a decision if the fight should be held at the Thomas and Mack Center or the MGM Grand Garden. Both fighters have agreed to the terms and Schaefer expects the deal to be signed soon.

"Ricky's preference was the U.K., but he's realized that was not the best place for this fight, just like the Philippines [Pacquiao's home country] wasn't," Schaefer said to The Times. "This is right in the middle. Being at 147 was clearly not Hatton's best weight; Ricky's unbeaten at 140."

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