Arum: TV exec working on Mayweather-Pacquiao bout

MANILA, Philippines – An influential executive of a major US-based television network is reportedly brokering a deal for the highly anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to finally happen.

In a report by veteran scribe Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times, Top Rank chief Bob Arum said Leslie Moonves, chief executive CBS Corp., is currently helping to turn the megabout into a reality.

"The guy carrying the ball is Moonves," Arum told Pugmire.

CBS is the parent company of fight broadcaster Showtime, which currently has the rights to air Mayweather’s fights as part of a multimillion-dollar deal. So far, the network has carried the undefeated American’s bouts against Robert Guerrero, Saul Alvarez and Marcos Maidana (twice).

Mayweather has two fights left in his contract with Showtime, and many boxing observers and fans – even Showtime itself – are still hoping one of those will be against Pacquiao.

"He (Moonves) and I have talked on a number of occasions and he has suggested we see if we can reach an understanding. I assume, without knowing for a fact, that he's talking to the Mayweather camp," Arum continued.

Pacquiao had insisted on his willingness to face Mayweather in a fight that’s expected to be the richest in boxing history. But first, he has to take care of business against Chris Algieri this Sunday at the Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao.

Arum is in the same boat as Pacquiao, though the promoter is uncertain if  Moonves can indeed get the job done and help finalize the Mayweather fight.

"One of the leading television executives in the country. I have no idea if he can get (the Pacquiao-Mayweather bout)  done or not, though, because I cannot talk for Mayweather," the Top Rank top honcho added.

"Manny and everyone involved in boxing wants the fight to happen. It has to be a deal that's acceptable to both.”