Fight on? Mayweather, Pacquiao settle lawsuit

Boxer Manny Pacquiao laughs during the Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez - Press Conference at Beverly Hills Hotel on September 17, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. / Getty Images

(CBS/AP) LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have reached a confidential settlement in their federal defamation case in Las Vegas.

It's not clear if the settlement means Mayweather and Pacquiao will meet in the ring.

Malcolm LaVergne, a lawyer who represents Mayweather's father in the case, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that documents have been signed and will be filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

He says terms are strictly confidential.

Pacquiao filed the lawsuit in December 2009. He alleges Mayweather defamed him by suggesting he used performance-enhancing substances.

Pacquiao denied the claim and sought unspecified damages.

The 33-year-old Pacquiao is 54-4 with two draws. He's due to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in December in Las Vegas.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., exits the Clark County Detention Center after serving two months of a three-month sentence in a misdemeanor domestic battery case, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in Las Vegas.

/ AP Photo/Isaac Brekken

Mayweather is 35. He's undefeated in 43 fights.

The biggest stumbling block for the two meeting in the ring appears to have been Mayweather's insistence he get a lion's share of what many assume will be the biggest payday in boxing history. Recently, however, Pacquaio told ESPN he has okay with giving Mayweather a larger slice of the earnings.

"I'm waiting for that fight to happen," Pacquiao told ESPN. "I don't know what's the reason why that fight has not happened. ... It's OK for me if he gets a higher percentage than me."

Pacquaio said he'd agree to a 55-45 split.

Another stumbling had been Mayweather's insistence to random blood and urine drug screening throughout the buildup to the fight. Pacquaio also now insists he would consent to that, even on the night of the fight.

[omnibus66]

It's not about money. They both have all they need. It's about ego and image. If the fight were to happen, one of them would be defeated, and that is the reason it will never happen.

[senexxx]

Give me the $millions$ and I will fight both of them at the same time, no controversy or excuses.

[sweetcakesmaria]

Pacquaio is well aware of the reason why this fight hasn't happened yet. Bob Arum is the main reason this fight hasn't happened yet but Paquaio's recent lackluster performances against Marquez and his controversial lost to Bradley has drastically changed the landscape. Pacquaio and Arum now recognize that Pacquaio's recent performances in the ring coupled with Mayweather's undefeated record clearly gives Mayweather all the advantages in their upcoming negotiations for the richest payday in both of their careers.

[guyfrompa46]

BS, Paq has aid he's let that ***** mayyweasther have a bigger pice of th gate. He's to chicken to fight. The reason he had lacluster performacesis because he meeds some actual competition. Marquez will get knockd out this time.