According to Floyd Mayweather, it’s time.

Time for us to pull out the beer and nachos. Time for us to call our boys and spread the news. Time for us to circle a date on our hectic calendars.

Time to get ready for the fight that we’ve all been waiting for – - for the last three years.

Floyd Mayweather has been so bold to proclaim that he will be ready to fight on May 5th.

Mayweather’s adviser Leonard Ellerbe:

“We’re looking to make the biggest fight possible and everyone knows what that fight is, the little fella. Floyd made it very clear that he wants to give the fans the biggest fights that are out there. He wants to stay active,” Ellerbe said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make the biggest fight out there for the fans and we all know what the fight is.”

“Floyd made it very clear to us what he wanted to do. He told us he is looking to make the biggest fight that is out there and to make it in May.”

Will Manny walk away from Mayweather's latest challenge?

We all know who Ellerbe and, consequently, Mayweather is referring to. And so does, Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum:

“They are playing games. You don’t negotiate this way. This is Floyd trying to move Manny out of the spotlight. This is no way to negotiate a fight. The MGM on May 5th? Who the hell is Floyd to say that? I know they are not serious. We put Floyd in a corner when we made it crystal clear that the issue of drug testing is over. So he comes out and makes this statement? Nobody even knows if he is going to be around in May.”

“What happens if the MGM is not putting up any guarantees?” Arum said. “They have a call in to reserve it. Big deal. Has anyone sat down and negotiated with them? What if Jerry or the Wynn are putting up $30 million? Wouldn’t you consider that? The negotiation on the site is a major element in any of these promotions. They know that. It’s why I believe this is not sincere. This is bull—-. If the fight was to happen Mayweather would want to maximize revenue. He wouldn’t tie himself to one place. He would see what other offers were out there. Even if he says I don’t want to fight in Texas, OK, there are offers.

“I’m not reaching out to anybody. They know my number. I want it done right. I want to maximize the revenue for everybody. And what is the magic of May 5? May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. What does that have to do with anything? It makes no sense.”

As much as we’d like to line up our pay-per-view parties, we might have to think twice.

Arum is indeed correct in acknowledging that the specifics have to be hammered out, but the biggest obstacle involves the egos of the fighters.  For boxers of a lesser stature, getting called out usually means the fight will happen.  That’s because there’s more of an overwhelming sense that those boxers have of proving that their name belongs with the cream of the crop.

But for professionals like Pacquiao and Mayweather, their is a need to align themselves – not only to set the pre-fight rules so that they feel that they gain some sort of advantage, but also to assure themselves of the biggest possible cut of the financial windfall that such a match would create. 

The posturing from both sides will continue and, for now, let’s make sure that we circle May 5 on our calendars…in pencil.

T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com.  All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author