According to Showtime Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Stephen Espinoza, discussions are still ongoing and no contracts have been drafted for the long-awaited mega-fight between undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather and 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. The news comes on the heels of statements made by both Bob Arum and Michael Koncz suggesting that all parties have agreed to terms, Pacquiao has already signed a contract, and they're just waiting on Mayweather to sign his end of the deal.
For the past week, Arum, Koncz and Pacquiao have informed anyone and everyone within earshot that they have agreed to all terms and "signed off" on their end of the deal. YouTube videos seem to be popping up daily showing Koncz, Arum and Pacquiao all sending the same message: sign the contract! In one interview, Koncz suggested that "in principle, there is a contract signed by Manny." In another interview, Arum went so far as to say, "We're all done. We've signed everything. We've agreed on all the terms. As far as we know, we've been told by the highest authority that Mayweather's people have agreed, the networks have agreed, but like they say, you can't do a play about Hamlet without Hamlet, and Hamlet, meaning Mayweather, has not yet signed on."
In the early hours of the morning, however, Espinoza took to Twitter to refute the claims made by all three men. When asked point blank by one of his followers why Mayweather has yet to sign, Espinoza replied, "Signing what? No contract has been drafted yet." As others began sharing some of the YouTube videos with him, Espinoza added, "What the hell is everyone signing???" He also explained that negotiations were still ongoing, contradicting statements made by Arum suggesting that everything is done. It seems as though yesterday, someone was lying and today, someone is telling the truth. Check out some of Espinoza's tweets below:
Signing what? No contract has been drafted yet. "@foxynumerouno: Did Manny agree to Floyds terms? If yes, why isn't Floyd signing?"
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) January 22, 2015What the hell is everyone signing??? "@FightHubTV: Arum says Floyd's team agreed, networks agreed, but not Floyd yet: http://t.co/h3C95LYl3n
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) January 23, 2015#FACT "@chobe84: @CarlMoretti @trboxing according to @StephenEspinoza no contracts have been drafted"
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) January 23, 2015Yes, we're still trying to make the fight. "@andrew88fields: Don't play their game. Just please tell us are negotiations still ongoing?"
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) January 23, 2015You can sign a contract in principle? Must have missed that day of law school. "@HoopJab: Manny has signed the contract in principle - Koncz
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) January 23, 2015[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]