Eight-time world champion Floyd Mayweather has left HBO
in favor of a 30-month, six-fight deal with Showtime and its parent
company CBS in what is being called the richest pact in boxing history.
Financial terms of the deal between the undefeated
boxer and Showtime/CBS, announced on Tuesday in a statement by
Mayweather Promotions, were not disclosed.
In making the announcement, Mayweather also confirmed a
May 4 fight with Robert Guerrero which will mark the fighter's Showtime
debut.
The 35-year-old fighter was listed as the highest paid athlete in 2012 by Forbes after earning $85 million from two fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto. Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao ranked second with earnings of $62 million.
According to the statement, Mayweather averages more than 1 million pay-per-view buys per event, the highest of any boxer, and if all six fights take place it could result in the richest individual athlete deal in all of sports.
