Boxing notes: Update on Pacquiao-Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao has told reporters in the Philippines that he'd be willing to take a blood test up to 14 days before a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., and as the discussions intensify to set up the bout that will likely be the most lucrative in the sport's history, Pacquiao's promoter says Las Vegas has emerged as the favorite for the venue.

Promoter Bob Arum said Monday representatives of Las Vegas' top resorts, most likely those connected to MGM Grand Garden Arena and Wynn Resorts, have informed him "it's not a question" that Las Vegas will draw several major gamblers during a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight week and would therefore eclipse any live-gate offer that Dallas Cowboys Stadium owner Jerry Jones could offer.

The bout, if agreed upon, would likely be in November.

Arum has previously expressed frustration with MGM/Mirage executives and Mayweather's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, after Arum first expressed interest in taking the fight to Texas. He then placed Pacquiao's March fight against Joshua Clottey there, with a crowd of more than 50,000 in attendance.

Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer declined to tour Cowboys Stadium, and Arum threatened never to return to Las Vegas earlier this year when MGM/Mirage didn't offer to host Pacquiao-Clottey. But all gets forgiven quickly in this sport.

Pacquiao's movement to 14 days likely still won't satisfy Mayweather's camp, which wants the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to preside over random blood and urine testing with a protocol that could include testing in the days before the bout.

Still, in previous negotiations this year that crumbled and forced alternate fights, Pacquiao's camp would accept a final blood draw no closer than 24 days before the fight. So this is a baby step toward the super fight.