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    MayPac 2 rumors lose steam - for now

    Rumors of a Mayweather-Pacquiao grudge match lose steam - for now
    Sep 24, 2018
    spin zone

    CHICAGO - It was a tease that launched a thousand tweets: Floyd Mayweather will abandon retirement and elope with Manny Pacquiao for a December rematch.

    Amid rumors of heavy gambling losses, plus his expensive, globe-trotting lifestyle, stacks of cold cash is Mayweather's motive for risking his immaculate 50-0 record at age 41. Pretty Boy bumped into his one-time nemesis in Tokyo and immediately saw "easy work, easy money."

    Fighting with a torn rotator cuff and losing a unanimous decision during their first tango last May 2, 2015, Pacquiao is looking for revenge, served cold nearly three years later. And yes, he could use the money as well to help settle his tax issues with Uncle Sam and to further his charitable endeavors in the Philippines.

    Jawing playfully at an outdoor electronic concert, whatever the hell that is, the video footage of their run-in was a work of marketing genius, released on the morning of boxing's fight of the year - GGG versus Canelo Alvarez 2 - in Las Vegas where thousands of reporters from around the world converged.

    Eager to tell a tale in the time of year when boxing slows down and yields to basketball and football, the news was gobbled up by the boxing press, and the sports world greeted it with a range of mixed emotions - shock, disbelief, and outrage.

    Nine days after the noise rumbled like rolling thunder, the buzz is dying.

    From possible to probable, the December date now looks unlikely. Doesn't mean it's not gonna happen - there's just too much money to be made on both sides - but a fight of such magnitude needs at least three months to iron out everything.

    Mayweather was supposed to visit Manila last Tuesday for an unrelated business deal. He wasn't just fashionably late, he didn't show up at all. But he was somehow able to announce that he has a huge upcoming event in Tokyo this December.

    Pacquiao, meanwhile, has moved on quickly, announcing plans of a January return to the U.S. against a still to be determined foe.

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    Mayweather once beat Pacquiao riding on his bicycle for 12 rounds. This time, I hope he is not taking the Filipino senator for a ride, dangling a rematch and mustering fake anger in order to draw attention to what he's cooking up in Japan.

    But nah, I'm a hopeless optimist. Pac-May 2 may be dead for a December date but it will come to life in May 2019.

    BUTLER UPDATE. A four-time All-Star and a fierce defender, the knack on Jimmy Butler is that he has 15,044 minutes of playing time in just seven NBA seasons. no thanks to being a Tom Thibodeau workhorse.

    The 29-year old also had knee issues that sidelined him for 23 games last season. And he wants to be paid the max deal that he is eligible for, five years and $190 million.

    All of the above has not discouraged several teams from pursuing the disgruntled Timberwolf. At last count the number is seven, with Miami emerging as the hottest suitor.

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    The Heat have Pat Riley, fellow Marquette University alum Dwyane Wade and South Beach as baits. Will the Butler bite?

    I doubt it. The big markets of New York and Los Angeles are still the favored landing spots, especially the Knicks where Butler's close buddy, Kyrie Irving, is reportedly planning to join the former Bull and wreak havoc in the East.

    KING JAM. Days after he officially became a Laker last July, LeBron James had a power dinner with heavyweight celebrities Leonardo DeCaprio and Al Pacino at Avra Beverly Hills, a fine dining restaurant where appetizer chips go for $24.95.

    Makes you wonder who picked up the tab, The King, The Titanic, or The Godfather.

    Our curiosity aside, the fact that LeBron's production (Springhill Entertainment) and media (Uninterrupted) companies are both based in Hollywood made perfect sense for the Cavaliers legend to wind down his Hall of Fame career draped in L.A.'s purple-and-gold.

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    So it was no surprise when we heard that LeBron would star in the Space Jam sequel. Question is can the King pull the same box-office numbers that Michael Jordan did in the original, which was about $340 million worldwide?

    LeBron can act. He had rave reviews for his cameo on Trainwreck starring Amy Schumer.

    On the basketball court, James is one of the best actors, too. When he gets fouled he acts so hurt you'd think a sniper is in the arena. And I haven't even mentioned the flopping, which is Hall-of-Shame material.

    But hey, I love LeBron. Great player.

    I'll pay to see Space Jam 2.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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