by David P. Greisman

It has become a tradition for the premium cable channels — a week after their big pay-per-views, a “free” replay will show on the network.

Given that the May 2 fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is a combined effort of Showtime and HBO, how will the arrangements be handled for  any replay on May 9?

 If there’s an answer to that question, it’s not being presented publicly.

“The replay is something we’re not discussing at this point,” said Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza on a media conference call held Feb. 20, shortly after the fight was officially announced.

That answer is no surprise. Networks tend not to mention the replays until shortly after a pay-per-view has concluded. And HBO and Showtime will be working to sell as many of the highly lucrative pay-per-view buys on May 2 as possible. Talking about May 9 doesn’t help with that effort.

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com