Floyd Mayweather to Fight on May 2 as Part of Showtime, CBS Venture

CBS and Showtime announced Tuesday they have agreed to a multi-year venture to broadcast live boxing. According to the release from Showtime, via Boxing247.com, there will be up to eight live events across the networks in 2015, with the most prominent featuring the undefeated Floyd Mayweather on May 2 on pay-per-view.     

Stephen Espinoza, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports, talked about the importance of this new deal: 

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The Premier Boxing Champions series on CBS will help usher in a new era in the storied history of boxing. With the support of our parent company, we are uniquely positioned for a three-tiered approach that includes live boxing broadcasts on America’s No. 1 network, the cable reach of CBS Sports Network and, of course, the premium television leader in boxing, SHOWTIME. The benefit of elevating the sport across these platforms for all involved, including SHOWTIME, is immeasurable.

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MLive.com's Jim Kinney reported the MGM Grand is reserved for May 2, according to Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO:

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The MGM Grand is reserved May 2, presumably for the long-awaited and much-negotiated Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight.

[...]

"We are going to have a fight. We hope it's a big, big fight," Murren said.  "If it is the fight we hope it is, then it is the biggest fight.

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The CBS premiere will be on April 4, when Adonis Stevenson defends his WBC light heavyweight title against Sakio Bika. 

On April 18, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andrzej Fonfara will square off on Showtime. On May 9, CBS will broadcast a bout between Omar Figueroa and Ricky Burns. 

According to the release, both of those events will "be supported" by Mayweather's fight on May 2. That will air on Showtime PPV, but BoxingScene.com's Cliff Rold noted what the particular wording could mean for a replay: 

Even as a replay, Mayweather is one of the biggest draws in sports, and that would serve as a huge ratings boost for CBS. If Manny Pacquiao just so happens to be on the other side of the ring, it would be colossal.

Lance Pugmire of the LA Times reported an announcement of a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight could come Thursday.

Jalen Rose put it simply:

Nothing is set in stone, but it appears fans are getting closer to the anticipated megafight. Pacquiao recently told Joel Guinto of the Agence France-Presse (h/t The Washington Post's Matt Bonesteel) that "negotiations are nearly finished," although Mayweather said during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game that he had yet to sign a deal.    

Still, no matter who faces Mayweather, CBS bringing boxing back to network television is an undeniable boost for the sport.