While not knowing the particulars behind the deal, I can confidently say that Showtime paid a boatload of money to Floyd Mayweather.
He had a very good deal with HBO Sports, but Golden Boy (who helps Floyd with his promotions) and Al Haymon (Mayweather’s adviser) have a great relationship with Showtime. Here is how Leonard Ellerbe describe the negotiations.
Ellerbe on @floydmayweather‘s deal:’HBO, they made a great offer the but Showtime PPV/CBS offer was substatnitially greater in every facet.’
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) February 19, 2013
More from Ellerbe on @floydmayweather‘s deal: ‘So bottom line, HBO was outgunned. They came to a gun fight with a knife.’ #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) February 19, 2013
What does this means for Mayweather’s next fight? Here are the details below.
Undefeated eight-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather, boxing’s pound-for-pound king and the highest paid athlete in the world (Forbes, 2012), has entered into a groundbreaking pay-per-view deal with Showtime Networks Inc. and its parent company, CBS Corporation. Under the new deal, SHOWTIME PPV® will collaborate with CBS Corporation to comprehensively promote Mayweather’s events on the CBS Television Network and via the corporation’s expansive media platforms.
The deal-a unique revenue-sharing arrangement between SHOWTIME PPV and Mayweather-will enable him to fight up to six times over a period of 30 months, with the first mega-event taking place on May 4, 2013, when Mayweather will fight Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. More details of this upcoming event will be announced shortly.
Canelo Alvarez will be the co-main event on the May 4th card which is turning into a blockbuster and most see for all fight fans.
It is unlikely that Mayweather will fight six times over the next 30 months, but this is a groundbreaking deal for both Mayweather and Showtime/CBS.