By Rick Reeno

Multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations have advised BoxingScene.com that it's a very strong possibility that Showtime will snatch away the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley pay-per-view from their network rival, HBO. Pacquiao-Mosley takes place on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Based on the information given to BoxingScene, Top Rank is currently negotiating the pay-per-view particulars with Showtime and their parent company CBS. The big advantage presented by Showtime is their ability to televise a multi-part series that is equivalent to HBO's 24/7 - on CBS. The vast reach by CBS with 115 million homes, to HBO's 28 million homes, is the 800-pound gorilla in Showtime's favor.

Obviously CBS's big viewership advantage would play a significant role in the marketing of the pay-per-view. It's not an industry secret that Bob Arum, CEO for Top Rank, has been unhappy with some of his recent dealings with HBO.

In the coming months, several of Top Rank's key fighters, including Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Lopez, and Brandon Rios, will be appearing on separate Showtime televised dates. Should Showtime close a deal to for the Pacquiao-Mosley pay-per-view, it would be a major coup by the network.