Photo © Ray Kasprowicz - A bruised, but cheerful Manny Pacquiao at the post fight press conference after defeating Miguel Cotto. With the March 13th date against Floyd Mayweather appearing to be set, there will be little time for Pacquiao to relax and enjoy the spoils of his most recent victory.

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Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Jr on March 13? Can it be? It sure looks that way.

While nothing is official at the moment, word is that the negotiations went rather smoothly. With all due respect to those brave underdogs who cameup big in 2009, the relatively painlesss way this fight has come together is (for me at least) the biggest surprise of the year.

Most seasoned boxing fans were readying themselves for at least another 6 months of ego trips, trash talk and excuses. Instead, the biggest fight ever (interms of $) could be happening a little over 3 months from now. 

It's almost unbelievable when you consider how Leonard Ellerbe (Mayweather's advisor) and Freddie Roach (Pacquiao's trainer) have insisted that their man deserves the biggest piece of the pie. Turns out that was just typical jockying through the press. The fighters are happy with the deal that was put on the table and will be lacing up the gloves sooner rather than later.

This may be a tad premature, but props to everyone involved for thinking "big picture". They'll be rewarded handsomely.

We've had some massive fights in the PPV era, including Holyfield-Tyson I and II, Holyfield-Lewis I and II, Trinidad-De La Hoya, Lewis-Tyson and Mayweather-De La Hoya.  Most predict this fight will crush those.  For the first time ever, an event may do 3 million buys.

Finally, it's cool to talk fisticuffs again!  If you're "the boxing guy" at work, or school or your favourite watering hole, you can expect those silly questions from the casual fan about Money Mayweather and "that little dude who beat up Oscar".

Since I respect the hell out of both men, but don't consider myself a fan of either, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the whole event. I'm going to chuckle during the cheesy pressers, seek out "insight" from those big media guys who only care about the sport once every few years, and even do my part to fuel the fiery back and forth between two crazed, but verydifferent fan-bases.

Hopefully the action in the ring that night is as heated as the confrontations I've witnessed online over the past few years.   Whether you're into the pugilistic perfection of Mayweather, or you prefer Pacquiao's ferocious fighting spirit, enjoy these next few months.

This is our time as fans to enjoy the anticipation. Fights like these don't come along very often.

e-mail Lee Payton