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HBO, Showtime Will Be Responsible If Mayweather, Pacquiao Fight Doesn’t Happen

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By @MichaelTerrill

Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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After exchanging phone numbers and a handshake at a Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks game recently, boxing fans essentially got the green light they have been hoping for. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are finally going to have the fight of the century, and it is going to happen this year.

Unfortunately, the negotiations have hit another pothole on the treacherous road, which means the May 2 fight date may not happen.

Even though there are some unknown sticking points that need to be worked out between the two fighters, the real issue has nothing to do with their wants or desires. HBO, who is in a binding contract with Pacquiao, and Showtime, the only company that can broadcast Mayweather, want a joint pay-per-view telecast. Basically, neither company is willing to give up their right to show their prized fighter, which certainly makes sense from a promotional and financial point of view.

At the same time, not allowing the fight to happen does not help anyone. Pacquiao has already told the Los Angeles Times that if the fight is not going to take place, “We have to know soon, because if they will not fight, we can move on and choose another opponent. We have a deadline … this month.”

Of course, the deadline of January has passed and the representatives of the fighters are still willing to knock out negotiations. The reality is if HBO and Showtime do not figure out an agreement soon, the highly anticipated boxing match will never happen.

It is certainly a shame that both parties have agreed upon drug testing protocol, the date of the event, where it will be held, the purse-money for the match and which fighter will enter the right first, but HBO and Showtime have to hold everything up because they cannot agree who will get to show the fight and how the finances will work out. To be honest, it would be flat out embarrassing if the premium cable channels were the ultimate reason the fight everyone wants to see never happens.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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