WHAT WE ALL WANNA SEE! FLOYD MAYWEATHER & MANNY PACQUIAO ARE CLOSE TO FINALIZING A FIGHT!

Mayweather-Pacquiao Almost Done for March 13?
Let the hype begin.

Word has broken that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are close to finalizing the most lucrative fight in boxing history.

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole confirmed that Mayweather had already signed the contract [terms have not been disclosed], and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is already in route to the Philippines to close Pacquiao’s end of the deal.

For the last two years, both fighters have exchanged high-profile, and in many instances dominating wins over common opponents. Mayweather scored a split decision win over Oscar De La Hoya and a TKO of Ricky Hatton in 2007. After a brief retirement, he returned in September to dominate Juan Manuel Marquez in a lopsided unanimous decision.

Manny Pacquiao edged Marquez in a disputed split decision before emphatically stopping De La Hoya in 2009. This year, Pacquiao solidified his #1 pound for pound status with a chilling 2nd round knockout of Ricky Hatton in May, and breaking down Miguel Cotto for a stoppage in November.

With both men posting million plus buys for their most recent fights, the demand has reached a fever pitch for them to face each other. After Pacquiao’s win over Cotto, the crowd loudly chanted “WE WANT FLOYD!”

Previously, both camps were looking at a May 1 date. However, Manny Pacquiao’s decision to run for the Philippines May 10 Congress elections prompted an earlier date rather than delay the superfight until the Fall.

At press time, a venue hasn’t been decided, but the leading candidates include MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas), Dallas Cowboys Stadium (Dallas), and the New Orleans Superdome (New Orleans).

Thankfully, both sides negotiation posturing/bluffing to take others fights didn’t prevent them from looking at the bigger picture. Mayweather apparent immediate signing was also smart. Now, if Pacquiao attempts to delay the announcement by requesting a catchweight or any other stipulations, public sentiment could quickly turn against him and allow Mayweather to take his cause to the media.