Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao personally met for the first time and may be discussing the mega-bout that fans have been asking for years.
The two boxing superstars were sitting courtside on January 28, 2015 during an NBA game between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. The two were not seated next to each other but Mayweather approached Pacquiao during halftime to talk. In a video presented by BOSSIP, the two fighters seemed to be exchanging phone numbers and a few words. Everything seemed friendly and they both shook hands afterwards as fans started to flock around them, taking shots and videos.
ESPN wrote that after the NBA game, Mayweather met with Pacquiao again in the latter's hotel suite for over an hour. They were reportedly discussing the terms for the proposed bout on May 2.
Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, said, "It was very pleasant and very encouraging, and we give Floyd credit for coming over. 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. You could tell by their body language that this was very positive. It was for a good hour or more."
He added, "It was a business meeting, but it wasn't a tense business meeting. I think that's because they both have mutual respect for each other. We'll determine what will happen over the next couple of days."
According to CBS Sports, the two boxers settled the terms for a joint pay-per-view broadcast between their networks, CBS/Showtime and Time Warner/HBO.
Koncz explained in the same ESPN report, "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. I said to Floyd, and Manny agreed, that if those are the only two broadcasting issues, we would take care of them."
Koncz said that Mayweather seemed to be sincere in making the fight happen during their hotel meeting. He did not give further details on the specifics of the discussion since these would be provided by the two networks in the future.
Bleacher Report wrote that the two meeting at courtside was even featured at the arena's big screen with the caption, "Coming in 2015?" Pacquiao is confident that he will face Mayweather soon. If the fight happens, it is expected to be have the biggest money purse in boxing history.