By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has spoken to sources from both HBO and Showtime - and both networks have denied reaching a broadcast agreement on a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view. Network sources were unable to discuss the remaining issues.
Their information contradicts an earlier article on BoxingScene.com, where Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum informed the Associated Press that a deal was finally made between HBO and Showtime.
"We had four issues and we resolved two," said Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, to the AP. "Now we're working on resolving the other two. Unless something else comes up at the last minute, that's what my take is. There's a lot of devil in the details and that's what we're sorting through now. The remaining issues are obviously important to the participants, and are things we have to work out."
Both sides continue to negotiate for a planned target date of May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Sources connected to both fighters indicate that a 60-40 split was agreed upon, in favor of Mayweather. They also agreed on the drug testing protocol, the gloves and various details related to the promotion.
Both sides agree that there are several "significant" issues outstanding. Some of those issues are related to the fighters and the other issues are connected to the ongoing negotiations between the two respective networks.
While the days are ticking down, this is nothing out of the ordinary for Mayweather. Leading up to his Cinco De Mayo fight in May of 2014, Mayweather did not reveal his plans until February 24th. Mayweather's Cinco De Mayo fight in 2013, against Robert Guerrero, was not officially revealed until February 19th. Mayweather-Pacquiao is by far a much bigger fight, but at the same time it will require far less promotion.