HBO Says They Stand ‘Ready To Go’ Contrary To Reports That They Are Stalling The Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight

A statement was issued by HBO Sports to clarify reports claiming that they remain a major stumbling block that prevents the super fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao from taking place. According to the representative of the TV network, all system are go from their side. Unfortunately, Mayweather and Pacquiao have not been able to agree to the terms.

“With all the reporting and media interest, we at HBO Sports wanted to make this comment: We are not an impediment to this fight, we stand ready to go,” said in the statement as reported by Fight Hype. “The principals need to agree to the terms and come to a deal.”

For a little while, the culmination of a done deal for a mega-buck super fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao seemed so close when they met face-to-face during a basketball game in the National Basketball Association and reportedly chatted to talk about the fight afterwards. The boxing public anticipated an announcement but up until this day, it remains vague if the fight will really happen. One thing is certain, both fighters want to fight each other.

The sum involved in the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is huge and it is what’s holding up the fight. In 2013, Showtime signed Mayweather for a six-fight contract worth $200 million. Filipino sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz, who revealed what Mayweather and Pacquiao discussed when they met in the U.S. said that Showtime/CBS wants to make as much money from Mayweather’s remaining last two fights with them.

Obviously, Pacquiao does not have an exclusive contract with HBO but his promoter does. HBO will make a profit from the super fight no matter what happens.

Showtime Executive Stephen Espinoza is adamant that the fight is far from being settled. Espinoza told Rick Reeno of Boxing Scene that he couldn’t understand why Top Rank’s Bob Arum keeps on saying that the fight is close to being made when it’s really not.

Espinoza, however, made it clear that they are still trying to negotiate to finalise the deal. “We are continuing to make progress, but there are meaningful open issues,” Espinoza said. “We can’t celebrate getting two-thirds across a minefield.”

To reach the author of this article, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.