The Filipino press caught Manny at halftime of his basketball game and asked him about the progress being made in the Mayweather negotiations, Manny gave a very candid answer:
“We will make an announcement before the end of the month,” Pacquiao told Ronnie Nathanielsz via telephone during the halftime of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals in Manila. “I think it will happen.”
Michael Konz, Manny’s advisor, backs up Manny’s comment:
“We’re still in negotiations with Floyd’s group through Top Rank. I spoke to Manny this morning. I gave Manny what is perceived to be a counter offer from the Mayweather people,” said Koncz, who then referred to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum.
“We discussed it and now I’ve given instruction to Bob to counter their counter. We’ve been going back and forth. Bob has been negotiating with the powers that be on Floyd’s side for the past couple of weeks. There’s been offers and counter offers, and a couple of days ago Bob called me and gave me allegedly where Floyd’s side is, and I discussed that with Manny two hours ago.
“Now I’ve given Bob our response to that. I’m never overly optimistic until the contract is signed, but the good thing is that we’re still going back and forth.”
If they wait until the end of the month to announce the fight I highly doubt that it will be ready for May 2nd. Floyd knows that him and Manny could fight on any random wednesday afternoon and pull over 1M PPV buys so I won’t be shocked if he let Cotto have the date.