Though nothing official has been announced, and Manny Pacquiao still needs to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8, I firmly believe 2013 is the year we'll finally see the super fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
I know we've had false alarms in the past, but recent events and reality have formed a tag team to create a now or never scenario. There is simply too much money for everyone involved to let this opportunity pass.
Here's why 2013 is the year:
Reality Check
Both men are in their mid-30's, Mayweather is 35 and Pacquiao will turn 34 years old nine days after the Marquez fight. Father Time is undefeated, and the two legends realize it's only a matter of time before he begins to land solid punches on their boxing mortality.
It remains to be seen what lingering effects Mayweather's jail sentence will have on his career. Pacquiao is coming off his first defeat in seven years. No matter how controversial the decision, a loss is a loss.
The more cracks they show, the less appealing their fight will be. In turn, that equals less money they stand to make from the event.
Nobody involved wants that. There is a pressure to have this fight made while the product is still solid.
Settlement of Defamation Suit
Per CBS Sports the lawsuit Pacquiao filed against Mayweather for defamation of character was settled.
This may seem like a small or insignificant occurrence, but it isn't. This was one of the biggest stumbling blocks in getting the fight made. Forget all the theatrics and trash talk on YouTube videos and interviews.
From a legal standpoint, this was a serious hurdle, and now it has been cleared.
Pacquiao Shows Give In Negotiations
Manny Pacquiao recently agreed to take a 45-55 split with Mayweather, win or lose in the fight, per ESPN.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s manager Leonard Ellerbe quickly shot that offer down. He insisted in a quote from ESPN UK that "Floyd will dictate the terms."
I make nothing of that. It is simply an example of the egos of men speaking. Mayweather is such a presence in the sport that if he wants this fight, it'll happen. I've long supported Mayweather's right to dictate the terms of this fight.
He is the bigger star, and he is the one with the undefeated record.
However, this situation is at a breaking point. If Pacquiao defeats Marquez in December, and a date with Mayweather isn't announced within the following months, my support for Mayweather in this situation will wane significantly.
There are no more hurdles and no more excuses. If there is a desire to make this fight, then there should be an urgency. Some progress has been made, but most fans won't believe it until there's a date set.
If Pacquiao handles his business with Marquez, a super fight announcement should be forthcoming.
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