"Obviously we're looking at a couple dates in early May and it's a breath of fresh air. We're having good conversations with Richard and Judd Burstein...This is a fight the fans have been clamoring for over 10 years and definitely a fight Floyd has wanted for over 10 years," stated Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, as he talked about the current status of negotations for a megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley. Ellerbe informed FightHype.com that although the proposed bout has yet to be finalized, negotiations are going smoothly.
"We're having some good discussions, some very good discussions with Judd Burstein and Richard Schaefer, which is truly a breath of fresh air. Obviously, with this being a fight of this magnitude, a megafight, these things take quite some time because there are a lot of particulars involved," he continued. "We want to be sure that, with this being a superfight, we allow ourselves plenty of time to properly promote an event of this magnitude."
Although Ellerbe would not elaborate on which "particulars" still need to be finalized, the bout will naturally take place at welterweight for Mosley's WBA title. No word on whether or not the fighters will use the same 8-ounce gloves that Pacquiao was requesting or if they'll go with standard 10-ounce gloves that the Nevada State Athletic Commission mandates. Ellerbe did, however, reiterate that all future opponents, including Mosley, will have to agree to Olmpic-style drug testing. "Anybody who steps in the ring with Floyd must agree to random blood and urine testing," he added. Of course, that shouldn't be a problem for Mosley, who's already come on record several times stating his willingness to agree to the testing.
Whatever "particulars" are left, they certainly don't seem like they'll stand in the way of this fight becoming a done deal. Considering how hungry Mosley is for a fight of this magnitude, not even money, which is the only real meaningful "particular" to discuss, will prevent this long-awaited showdown from taking place. If I had to bet on the date, I'd put my money on May 1.
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