‘Money’ talks: Mayweather takes to live TV to deny Pacquiao fight set

The biggest tease in sports is once again just that, thanks to Floyd Mayweather and his flair for the dramatic.

Just hours before the NBA All-Star Game tipped off in New York City on Sunday, yet another report surfaced that the Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight is indeed on. This one, compliments of the Sunday Telegraph, quoted sources as saying the fight would be worth $250 million and would take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in May.

What’s more, the report said that Pacquiao “has 100 percent signed his side of the deal,” and added that “it is now over to Mayweather to close the deal and announce the fight.”

In fact, the report speculated that Mayweather could confirm the May 2 fight sometime during the NBA All-Star weekend.

Well, “Money” was courtside at Sunday’s game, and he certainly had his say. But most people probably didn’t like what he had to say.

After briefly chatting up Mayweather about which current NBA All-Star Mayweather thought could make the best boxer during a courtside interview late in the third quarter, TNT’s David Aldridge asked the question the world has been dying to hear answered:

“The world needs to know now,” Aldridge prodded. “There’s a report $250 million, it’s been set. You and Pac. Has it been set, and have you signed it?”

Unfortunately, this was the answer:

“That’s not true. I haven’t signed yet, and he hasn’t signed yet. It’s just been speculations and rumors. But hopefully we can make the fight happen.”

When Aldridge asked the fight at least be pushed back from its reported May date to after the NBA postseason concludes in the early summer, Mayweather offered up a little hope that the fight may indeed go forward as reported:

“I’m Mayweather. We have to make it in May.”

As for that whole which All-Star would make the best boxer? Floyd looked as though the choices weren’t all that enticing, before going with, “Probably Jimmy Butler. I dunno. Very athletic, he seems pretty tough.”

Not as tough as convincing Mayweather and Pacquiao to sign a contract can be, though.