Boxing News 2015: Showtime, HBO Agree On Key Broadcasting Details In Mayweather-Pacquiao Super Fight Says Top Rank Chief Bob Arum

There is no final word yet on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao negotiations but Top Rank chief Bob Arum has recently stated that the two giant TV networks, Showtime and HBO have already met eye to eye on the broadcasting agreements with regards to the super fight slated on May 2, 2015.

According to a recent report from abcnews.go.com, the networks have already come to terms on the announcing team and some details on the pay-per-view (PPV). 


"We had four issues and we resolved two," Arum said in the article. "Now we're working on resolving the other two. Unless something else comes up at the last minute, that's what my take is."

Floyd Mayweather Jr. fights under Showtime Sports for his next two bouts while Manny Pacquiao has a contract with HBO Sports until 2016.

Previous reports have stated that Mayweather Jr. is preferring to have a say on which commentators will cover the fight and most likely it will come from the Showtime camp— or Mayweather Jr’s picks of announcers. There are also reports stating that Mayweather Jr. has demanded the Pacquiao camp to stop talking to the press for the time being and that it will be the undefeated American who should make the official announcement about the super fight.

However, Showtime Sports executive vice president Stephen Espinoza somewhat refuted the Arum statement saying that it is still premature to say that the networks are in “total agreement” about the details of the said broadcasting details of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. Both Espinoza and Arum admitted that both networks are still working hard to resolve the remaining issues. Both also were relatively tight-lipped on the other details as it could endanger the negotiations owing to the sensitivity of the said talks.


The Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations have come to a crawl at this point of the talks but recent developments the past few weeks have led many boxing fans and experts to conclude that the super fight is nearer to becoming a reality and an announcement will be made soon.

Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao crossed paths personally for the first time when both were seen watching a live National Basketball Association, or NBA, game over a week ago. Mayweather Jr. approached Pacquiao near mid-court in that game and talked for a few minutes. The pair met again when Mayweather took initiative in visiting Pacquiao in his hotel room the night of that first meeting and again talked for over an hour, according to various accounts.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au