By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
With each fighter's side in virtual agreement with all of the parameters, and the potential sites narrowed down to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and Cowboys Stadium, a deal for the March 13 Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao megabout could "definitely be finalized this week," according to a source close to the negotiations.
Although Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has offered $25 million to host the bout, that number is expected to be surpassed by the MGM Grand, where both fighters and their respective promoters have routinely enjoyed success.
The 32-year-old Mayweather, a five-time champion being represented by Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, is 6-0 with two knockouts at the MGM.
The 30-year-old Pacquiao, a winner of seven crowns in as many weight divisions, is promoted by Top Rank's Bob Arum. Pacquiao is 3-1-1 at MGM.
Citing a source involved in the site talks, The Los Angeles Times spelled out a scenario in which the MGM Grand would generate $28 million in live-gate sales, offer 40,000 closed-circuit seats through MGM/Mirage properties, and charge $100 a head for a possible $4 million surplus -- a total worth of around $32 million.
"I really believe that it will be done by late Thursday," said the source. "It will definitely be finalized this week. I'm just not sure if it's going to be Dallas or the MGM."
Schaefer, Mayweather's manager Leonard Ellerbe, and Mayweather's camp members have agreed not to comment publicly during negotiations.
But Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's adviser, believes he knows where the fight will take place.
"I believe that it will end up at the MGM because both fighters want to fight in Las Vegas," said Koncz. "I think that both fighters have expressed their desire to fight in Las Vegas."
Pacquiao has even agreed to an Olympic-style, random drug test at the request of Mayweather's camp.
Floyd Mayweather Sr., the fighter's father, has insinuated that the Filipino star may have used steroids since he's maintained his punching power from 106 to nearly 147 pounds.
"They make a big deal out of Manny's having supernatural power. But Manny's just a freak of nature and he's very religious," said Koncz.
"I don't know if there's a connection [between Pacquiao's faith and his power], but there are, certainly, no illicit drugs there," said Koncz. "I know that for a fact. Maybe Manny does get it from the Lord."
Mayweather-Pacquiao will be contested at the welterweight (147) limit for the WBO title that Pacquiao earned from Cotto on Nov. 14.
Pacquiao is 11-0 with eight knockouts since a March 2008 loss to Erik Morales -- including consecutive KOs of David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.
A Las Vegas resident, Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has decisioned Gregorio Vargas, Jose Luis Castillo, De La Hoya and Juan Manuel Marquez at MGM, where he also has stopped Diego Corrales and Hatton.
Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has stopped De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto at MGM, drawn with Marquez, and lost to Morales.
"There has been no contract for us to review, but Manny and I are in constant communication with Arum, and everything is upbeat and there are no red flags," said Koncz of Pacquiao, who is all but ready to sign after being guaranteed $25 million by Arum.
"As far as I'm concerned, the deal is already done. The only issue is the venue. We've countered the offer and the majority of the things just have to be accepted by Arum," said Koncz.
"We're not in a panic mode. We're used to this for every fight. It's routine. We come to an agreement down the road, then the contract is sent to us for review," said Koncz.
"There's been no negative response back, so if there was a problem, Arum would have told me," said Koncz. "So as far as we're concerned, it's done."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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