By Keith Idec
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao created quite a stir by meeting face to face Tuesday night in Miami.
In what was perhaps the most encouraging sign yet of boxing’s two biggest superstars potentially fighting later this year, Mayweather approached Pacquiao at halftime of the Milwaukee Bucks-Miami Heat game at American Airlines Arena in Miami. After talking to each other briefly near Pacquiao’s courtside seats, Mayweather and Pacquiao shook hands and seemingly agreed to talk again.
Before they parted ways, Mayweather appeared to type Pacquiao’s number into his cell phone. Mayweather also gave Pacquiao his number, according to what Pacquiao later told The Associated Press.
Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, and one of Mayweather’s bodyguards stood beside them as they spoke.
According to a Tweet from Miami-based Associated Press writer Tim Reynolds, Pacquiao said, “Mayweather gave him his cell number and told him it’s time for them to work this fight out themselves.” Pacquiao also told Reynolds that this marked the first time he has ever spoken to Mayweather in person.
Negotiations for their long-awaited showdown reportedly have continued for over a month, but this is believed to be the first time Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) and Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) have spoken to each other during this round of negotiations.
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.