Boxers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. met in private for more than hour Tuesday to talk about terms for their proposed May 2 bout, according to an ESPN report.
Pacquiao and Mayweather first met publicly at halftime of the Miami Heat's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, where both had courtside seats. After the game ended, they met again in Pacquiao's suite.
"It was very pleasant and very encouraging, and we give Floyd credit for coming over," Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz told ESPN. "That's the first time they ever sat eye-to-eye. I've met Floyd many times, but he and Manny had never had a chance to meet. They talked at halftime, but this was a longer, more serious meeting."
The two fighters have been circling each other for years, as fans clamored for a bout between the two most high-profile boxers currently in the sport. Negotiations have begun, but Time Warner/HBO — which has a contract with Pacquiao — and CBS/Showtime — which has a contract with Mayweather — will have to agree to a join telecast.
Koncz told ESPN that those broadcasting issues were the main subject Pacquiao and Mayweather discussed in their private meeting. He also mentioned Mayweather had two specific broadcasting concerns, though it was not revealed what those concerns were.
"I told Floyd I would call [Pacquiao promoter] Bob [Arum of Top Rank] in the morning, and I did that and discussed them with Bob, and he assured us they have been worked out. I took care of it," Koncz told ESPN. "I said to Floyd, and Manny agreed, that if those are the only two broadcasting issues, we would take care of them."
Koncz said it was merely a coincidence that Pacquiao and Mayweather were both at the Heat game. They took the opportunity to meet at halftime and exchange phone numbers, which led to their private meeting afterward.
