Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout on brink of collapse?
Ricky Hatton and his representatives are close to running out of patience, according to the British boxer's promoter, and if Manny Pacquiao doesn't send a signed contract to his own promoter by early Wednesday morning, Hatton is ready to scrap the May 2 super-fight at 140 pounds, his promoter said late Tuesday.
Richard Schaefer of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions told me today that Hatton, his father, Ray, and the Hattons' attorney informed him that they've tired of waiting for Filipino star Pacquiao to accept a verbal deal that the fighters would agree to a 50/50 split of the purse. Schaefer said he and Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, have sweetened the deal further by granting Pacquiao a percentage of promotional profits.
Pacquiao had verbally agreed to the 50/50 split in December, but Schaefer said he's "embarrassed" to have to repeatedly share morning phone calls with the Hattons and tell them that Pacquiao has yet to sign a contract.
Schaefer said if the contract is not signed by midnight on Wednesday, the Hattons have directed him to move on to other opponents, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., the winner of next month's Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz fight or even a possible match against De La Hoya.
Hatton was positioned to fight De La Hoya this year in England until Pacquiao earned an estimated $11 million by pounding De La Hoya last month, forcing the "Golden Boy" to quit the fight before the ninth round.
"It's happened before -- it happened with Shane [Mosley] -- when these guys beat Oscar, they think they're going to get Oscar money, and that's just not going to happen," Schaefer said. "If he doesn't want to make the most money he's ever made in a fight, [Pacquiao] can go fight someone else for $2 million."
Pacquiao promoter's, Arum, is similarly at his wit's end.
"I've communicated Richard's message to the Philippines, let's see what happens tonight," Arum said. "If they send me a signed contract, we've got a fight. If not, Hatton will call it off and that'll be that. I've done everything humanly possible to make this fight.
"It's up to them. They'll be losing big money by not taking it. Why won't they sign? There's no way it makes any sense."
Arum said he and Pacquiao's Hollywood-based trainer, Freddie Roach, haven't been able to speak directly to Pacquiao in two weeks, with the boxer's advisors and legal counsel serving as intermediaries.
"It's like one of those guys wants to be a hero," Arum said. "It's been very difficult dealing with that situation, and a 16-hour time difference."
-- Lance Pugmire
Photo (top): Manny Pacquiao, right, hits Oscar De La Hoya during their Dec. 6, 2008 fight in Las Vegas. Credit: Ethan Miller / AFP Photo / Getty Images
Photo (inset): Ricky Hatton. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
I hate to say this, but it's a cultural thing. In the negotiating process with other pinoys I have experienced that a third basement who lacks common sense always gets involved. No amount of logic can get through them. None! I hate to miss out on this fight as a fan, however as a negotiator I would tell "pacman's" camp to pound salt! Beat it! Miss out on tens of millions of dollars and a deal of a lifetime for greed of a few percentage points. He deserves to miss this deal! Even so, he's camp is so pinoy stupid they'll tell themselves they did the right thing! That's how stupid they are!
Posted by: Boxing nut | January 20, 2009 at 07:22 PM
lol, verbal for 50-50??? For such big amount? verbal???. Somebody must be opportunist here. Poor Pac, people are already talking advantage maybe for some language barrier. 60-40 is just right, but Hatton camp insist 50-50, pac now saying 55-45, Arum 52-48... This is a big mess. The other camp thinking Pac is timid. My opinion, find another fighter for this is a mind bugging deal that might affect Pac's performance. Pac, go for Hispanic fighter or Mayweather for peace of mind.
Posted by: Lang Kwenta | January 20, 2009 at 10:52 PM
The story is very irritating, its been on the news over and over again. Hatton's camp doesnt really respect the stature of Pacman being a boxing icon. The equation is so plain and simple, why dont they just give to pac what he trully deserved. After all hes the face of boxing and the pound for pound king.
Lets see if Arum get a signed contract after wed. I doubt! if they wouldnt change the ratio in favor of pac.
Posted by: jsy | January 20, 2009 at 11:52 PM
How i wish pacman don't sign the contract, after all, bob arum and richard scheiffer should be the one to fight on May 2. Let's see if they can generate hundreds of ppv. For Ricky Hatton, if you insist of being the draw then why don't you just prove it and fight other fighters. Manny has so much to lose in this fight if it continues and less to gain for Hatton is not a proven fighter. Go then Ricky and make your own big fight as you yourself believe that you are that great a boxer. For Pacman, don't be lured with the money being offered to you by the promoters who think of you as a milking cow for their personal gains. Manny, you have enough money to go on without fighting and you don't need any fight to mark yourself in boxing history.
Posted by: john peter simon | January 21, 2009 at 01:28 AM
They talk like Pacquiao cant demand anything.lmao....Pacquiaos exposure to boxing fans are hard to stop people for wanting another of Pacquiao. Another thing Pacquio is: "Boxer of the Year 2008"; NUMBER 1 POUND4POUND;MOST EXCITING FIGHTER;he has the most CELEBRITY STAR FANS INCLUDING HOLLYWOOD; The CELTICS even went to his locker room to praise Pacquiaos success;EVERY1 wanna see PACMAN VS MAYWEATHER;and they still doesnt give him credits after DLH jack him up by quitting?
BOXING IS FULL OF POLITICS!!!
FORGET BOXING!!!!
UFC FIGHTS ARE FIGHTS TO WATCH FOR NOW ON(without PACQUIAO)!!!!!!
Posted by: Paulixx | January 21, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Forget the Pac man ricky, its obvious he darent get in the ring with you!! Get mayweather again take him to wembley with one hundred thousand watching u in the stadium!! And pound him until submission!! Ricky hatton is the real deal and would murder paccio!!
Posted by: Darren Tunesi | January 22, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Stand your ground Manny...you're the man right now...for boxing fans we know who's the boss...60-40 in your favor...you got enough money, u dont need this crap from Hatton...60-40 or none!
Posted by: mike | January 22, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Are you kidding me? Hatton wants Pacquaio? Ricky is a dreamer who had a chance, and must be dreaming again if he thinks he can afflict damage on Pacquaio.Pacquaio will beat that boy to sleep. No doubt about it! But then again, who wouldn't get knocked out for a quick million. To be honest, Pacquaio should laugh at a challange like that, and keep that corner guessing as if they will catch a quick mill.
Posted by: elchingonaaz | June 14, 2009 at 07:07 PM