Pacquiao signs deal to fight Mayweather

NEW YORK: Philippines hero Manny Pacquiao has signed a deal to fight US star Floyd Mayweather on March 13, ESPN reported on Saturday, saying there will be a 50-50 split in what could be boxing's richest fight.

Undefeated Mayweather had agreed to terms for the bout but it was not certain he had signed a deal and there have been reports Pacquiao wanted minor changes that might need to be confirmed with the American's camp.

Mayweather, 40-0 with 25 knockouts, was regarded as the world's top pound-for-pound fighter before a 19-month layoff that ended last September.