Hoax Alert: Chinese Business Tycoons Offer Mayweather $160B Guaranteed Purse To Fight Pacquiao In Beijing

On Tuesday, American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr lost the chance to earn a guaranteed purse of $120 million after a group of investors from the United Arab Emirates withdrew their offer made in November. The investors, which includes royals, were disappointed in Money May's lack of commitment to fight Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.

On Saturday, a news item came out claiming that a group of Chinese business tycoons is offering Mayweather an even higher guaranteed purse of $160 million for him to agree to fight Pacquiao in Beijing.

However, the article came out only in Manilalivewire.com, a satirical news Web site.

In its About Us section, the portal which was founded by Manila Livewire Digital Media Group on May 25, 2014, emphasises that it was created for entertainment purpose only.

"We are a group of writers, creative editors and professional writer which use only humorous techniques like reporting real news with exaggeration, ridiculed spoofs, joke, funny things on a wide range of imaginations. We are also dedicated in reporting recent topic and information that are currently happening or write something about it to bring deeper point of view to our readers," its Web site reads.

The article said the so-called group of Chinese business tycoons was headed by a billionaire named Chu Liam Tao. Curiously, the article didn't give the name of Chu's company. A check with Forbes's China's 400 Richest showed there was no Chinese billionaire with that name.

The closest name was a Chu Lam Yiu, number 33 on the list and owner of Huabao International. This Chu is 41 years old and one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world who heads an investment holdings company.

The satire article states that its team is on its way to meet with the Money Team and they are okay with the May 2, 2015 schedule proposed by Mayweather to Pacquiao.

It even quotes Chu as saying, "Our offer is more than the amount previously offered by a Dubai group ad we want this much awaited mega fight to happen in Beijing China. We think this amount is enough to convince Floyd to fight Pacquiao outside of his country."

Meanwhile, what is not hoax is that Pacquiao may not receive a guaranteed purse offer as big as Mayweather, but he has been invited by Prince Harry of Britain to dinner. The boxer is leaving Manila for London on Jan 22 to break bread and rub elbows with royalty.

He has also been confirmed to be a judge in the forthcoming Miss Universe 2015 to be held in Miami, Florida.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au