MANILA, Philippines - On this side of the planet, people jumped out of their beds upon hearing, seeing or reading a TMZ.com report that the superfight between Floyd Mayweather is on.
TMZ.com reported Friday evening (Saturday morning in Manila) that the two boxers have sealed the deal. The date: May 2. The venue: MGM Grand.
Negotiations are on to make the fight happen, and TMZ, the leading celebrity gossip and entertainment news portal, jumped the gun on everyone.
“A source involved in the negotiations tells TMZ Sports both fighters have agreed to fight and a date and location (Vegas) have already been set,” it said.
“The source says the formal agreement has not been signed but everyone expects the signatures ‘soon.’ Negotiators are putting ‘finishing touches’ on the deal,” TMZ added.
If the fight is made within next few days or weeks, TMZ can say, “This is where you heard it first.”
But those who have the authority to speak about the fight cut short all the excitement generated by the TMZ report.
“TMZ usually has good sources. This time, not so much,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, said on Twitter.
Later TMZ withdrew the story.