NEW YORK (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum reportedly is optimistic a mega-fight deal between the Filipino icon and unbeaten US fighter Floyd Mayweather will be made in the next couple of days.

The New York Post reported on Friday that Arum is down to negotiating the final details of a contract for the much-awaited welterweight showdown that is tentatively penned in for May 2 in Las Vegas.

"The issues are being narrowed down to extraordinarily small points," Arum told the newspaper. "I'm optimistic it will all be put together in the next couple of days."

Mayweather said he would not fight Pacquiao as long as Arum was his promoter after a dispute many years ago.

Blood test issues help scuttle talks five years ago but after the fighters met at an NBA game in Miami earlier this week, the bout, expected to be the sport's biggest-ever money spinner, appears close to a reality.

"Everybody is doing the right thing," Arum told the Post on Friday.

"We're looking to complete the paperwork. Everything is moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the next couple of days, it will get done."

The report said network issues are all that remain to be sorted.

Mayweather has a contract with Showtime while Pacquiao has a deal with HBO.

After meeting at a Miami Heat game, the two spent an hour in the Asian star's hotel suite talking about meeting in the ring, Arum said.

"I think it helped a lot because we were all putting papers together, and there was still a question as to whether Floyd really wanted to do the fight or not," Arum said.

"Based on the meeting with Pacquiao in the hotel suite, Manny and (Pacquiao adviser) Michael Koncz were convinced Floyd absolutely wants to do the fight."