Sources close to the Pacquiao/Mayweather negotiations have claimed that the fight is a done deal, ready to be signed off by both parties shortly, with all principle agreements in place. Those same sources say that the negotiation parameters, including a 50-50 financial split, competition at the 147-pound limit, eight-ounce gloves, and an Olympic-style random drug test at the request of Mayweather's camp were all agreed to. When asked about the venue, following recent rumors that negotiations were falling apart over whether to hold the bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas or the Cowboys' new stadium in Dallas, the source said, "It's the MGM. It's definite."This is huge news for boxing fans everywhere as well as for the average observer. Pacquiao/Mayweather will surely be one of the biggest fights of this generation. The buzz being generated around the match is sure to lead to one of the biggest pay-per-view events ever. Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) are both long-reining champions, Pac-man with seven belts, Mayweather with five. The match is slated for March 13th in the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao has been on a tear recently, moving through oppoenents as easily as he moves weight classes. His victories over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto have established him as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now, however Mayweather's unbeaten record adds intrigue. Several years ago, Mayweather would have been considered a clear favorite - Pacquiao was 1-1-1 at the MGM before his recent string of victories over the past year. Mayweather, having never been beaten, "retired" from the sport before word of Pacquiao's feats reached him. Mayweather returned to defeat Manuel Marquez - one of the men who has downed Pacquiao before - and was clearly set on a collision course with Pacquiao.
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