By Rick Reeno
On Wednesday, I broke the news that a deal was reached for Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez at a catch-weight below 145-pounds. I stated a few days ago that I couldn't say it was "100% done" because two sources, who were close to negotiations, had advised me that only Marquez [at the time I wrote it] had signed off on the deal. According to the word going around Las Vegas, Mayweather has finally signed off on the deal. The fight will take place on July 18 at the MGM Grand.
As far as the exact weight, I've heard two stories from two top sources. One told me the fight would take place at 143-pounds and the other told me the deal was reached for 144. The fight will be Mayweather's first since a December 2007 knockout of Ricky Hatton. Mayweather retired a few months later.
I said on Wednesday that an "official announcement" was expected within a few days. Well, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has scheduled a Saturday press conference in Las Vegas to make a "major boxing announcement." Several sources in Las Vegas are expecting Schaefer to officially announce Mayweather vs. Marquez for July 18 on HBO pay-per-view. When reached for comment, two Golden Boy officials would not comment on the "subject matter" for the Saturday presser.