Manny Pacquiao Expects Floyd Mayweather Fight, Promises Imminent Announcement

Manny Pacquiao believes a date for his long-awaited showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be set by the end of January.

The Filipino star, who is willing to take a smaller percentage of the purse to push negotiations through, suggested talks are on track to the Manila Standard (h/t Martin Domin of the MailOnline):

"We will make an announcement before the end of the month. I think it will happen," Pacquiao revealed.

Fans can expect Mayweather's love affair with Las Vegas' MGM Grand to continue in a fight worth approximately $300 million. It is widely suggested Pacquiao wishes to battle on May 2 to coincide with Cinco de Mayo, but Miguel Cotto is also expected to face Saul Alvarez in another major box office draw on this date.

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Mayweather has already acknowledged this date suits him. "We are ready," said the unbeaten fighter in an interview with Showtime (h/t Dan Rafael of ESPN.com). "Let's make it happen. May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let's do it."

Pretty Boy fought twice in 2014—beating Marcos Maidana on both occasions— to extend his record to 47-0. While many onlookers will be disappointed to have not seen him face Pacquiao during both boxers' prime, Mayweather remains in demand.

On Sunday, Amir Khan provided an ultimatum to the American star. Khan has been yearning for an opportunity to face Mayweather across the last year; advances Pretty Boy has often dismissed. Mayweather suggested Khan's name "holds no weight," per ESPN, indicating the British brawler will never get his chance.

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Khan isn't willing to wait any longer. "I want to fight in May and I want the Mayweather fight, but it's not getting any closer," said Khan, per Domin. "It's a waiting game, I've given his team five days. I need to know this week because I need to start training."

The hopeful fighter said he has "answered all the things Mayweather wanted me to do," suggesting the power remains in his potential opponent's hands. Khan put on an impressive performance to overcome Devon Alexander in December, winning a tough welterweight clash with the confidence of someone who could worry Mayweather.

Stylistically, Khan possesses the outright pace to challenge such a rival. Mayweather could be accused of failing to fight Pacquaio at his most powerful—the 36-year-old hasn't knocked anyone out since Cotto in 2009—to maintain his unbeaten record. It would be dangerous to accept a bout against Khan at this point in his career, despite Mayweather possessing the tools to keep such a fighter on the back foot.

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Pacquaio's update on the situation is likely to excite many. This is the fight most boxing fans have craved for years, the type of matchup which will interest those who don't regularly watch the sport. These days, there aren't many fighters who can command such excitement for the wider audience.

Mayweather has always chosen his opponents carefully. Khan's words are unlikely to even register on the American's radar if a Pacquiao agreement is to be announced in the next two weeks. It will be a huge relief to finally see the challenge accepted by both parties, despite the nigh-on five-year wait to get things sorted.