MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr. reportedly told Manny Pacquiao to “stop lying” about signing any contract related to a megabuck duel between them planned for May 2.
The two superstars crossed paths Wednesday in Miami during an NBA game featuring the Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. In the chance encounter that’s been widely talked about in social media, Mayweather approached Pacquiao at halftime for a chat.
Fighthype.com’s Ben Thompson, citing anonymous sources, reported that Mayweather told Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz to stop claiming about having signed a contract for a fight.
“According to one source, Mayweather told both Pacquiao and Koncz to ‘stop lying’ about signing any contracts. The same eyewitness tells us that Mayweather then informed Pacquiao that he's been told multiple lies. Mayweather explained that ‘he's been trying to make the fight happen" and chose to stay silent throughout the negotiation process because "I don't entertain [expletive]!" Thompson wrote in the fighthype.com article.
“Another source tells us that Pacquiao was ‘on hush mode’, speechless as Mayweather repeated, ‘stop lying,’ and asked him ‘what contract’ he signed. As Mayweather reiterated to both men that lies are being told, Koncz began stuttering before attempting to lay all the blame on promoter Bob Arum, telling Mayweather that he's only saying what Arum has been telling him. Mayweather then informed both men that it's not professional to lie and ‘if you're not going to tell the truth, it's best to stay silent,’" the article continued.
The first blows have been exchanged! > https://t.co/QfHEoAB1W8 @MannyPacquiao @FloydMayweather #miami
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 28, 2015 The meeting concluded with Pacquiao and Mayweather shaking hands and exchanging phone numbers. An Associated Press report said Pacquiao clarified that the meeting would translate to a direct negotiation between him and Mayweather.
Pacquiao had been very vocal about having agreed to the terms to fight Mayweather, adding that their camp is just waiting for the undefeated American’s signature. The Filipino icon is giving Mayweather until the end of the week to come up with a decision.
If the mega bout is a no-go, the fighting congressman will look for other options, with British Amir Khan a strong contender.
Mayweather, for his part, is expected to announce his next opponent within the week.
And with Wednesday’s encounter, the world is hoping it will finally be Pacquiao. – Dino Maragay