LOS ANGELES—Reports have surfaced that a potential blockbuster match between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and British champion Ricky Hatton has been called off.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach confirmed the reports to the Asian Journal.
"Manny wouldn’t agree to a 52 [percent] to 48 [percent] split," said Roach, adding that 52 percent was slated to go to Hatton, while Pacquiao receives the rest of the shares. "Now, the only way Manny is going to take this fight is if he gets 60 percent and Hatton gets 40 at least that’s what I hear."
There was certainly a sense of frustration from Roach’s voice during the short interview. He said he has been trying to reach Pacquiao but the Philippine champion has not returned his call.
"It’s been ten days in a row now," he said.
Plan B
After Pacquiao’s rousing win against Oscar De La Hoya last December many boxing pundits and fans expected the Pride of the Philippines to logically face the British boxing icon next. The proposed fight was slated for May 2 at the MGM Grand.
However, negotiations between the two popular boxers have stalled from the beginning. There were reports that Pacquiao originally wanted 60 percent of the fight purse but then retracted that demand after learning he’d be receiving some British TV money, a perk that Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn’t receive in his blockbuster match against Hatton.
It seemed that the deal was going to be cemented last week with the two splitting the fight purse 50-50. But in the last minute, Hatton and his camp added two more percent in their original deal, according to Roach.
"They [Hatton’s team] wanted 52 percent," said Roach. "And Manny would receive 48."
Pacquiao may have felt slighted by that last minute negotiation ploy and thus, not signing the contract.
Phone calls to members of Pacquiao’s team were not returned.
When asked what’s next for Pacquiao, Roach said sarcastically, "There’s Zab Judah for $2 million."
"But really, I have no idea." (AJPress Joseph Pimentel)
( Published on January 23, 2009 in Asian Journal Northern California p. A1 )
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