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Mayweather denies Pacquiao deal done, but hopeful

Floyd Mayweather, in the company of Rihanna, attends State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Barclays Center, New York
Floyd Mayweather, in the company of Rihanna, attends State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Barclays Center, New York

Floyd Mayweather has denied claims a mega showdown with Manny Pacquiao has been finalised but hopes the fight can come to fruition.

Mayweather, who holds the WBC and WBA crowns in the welterweight and light-middleweight divisions, and WBO welterweight champion Pacquiao are regarded as the two greatest fighters of their generation.

They are yet to meet in the ring but the prospects of a long-awaited contest appeared to be moving a step closer when they came face-to-face and swapped numbers at a basketball match last month.

The two then met afterwards to discuss a bout this year, and although reports over the weekend claimed a deal had finally been struck Mayweather insisted that was not the case.

Speaking courtside at the NBA All-Star Game, the unbeaten 37-year-old told American satellite television network TNT: "No, that's not true.

"I haven't signed yet, and he hasn't signed yet.

"It's just been speculations and rumours. But hopefully we can make the fight happen."

Pound-for-pound king Mayweather has 47 wins from as many professional contests and still has two bouts remaining on a lucrative deal with US network Showtime.

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