Filed under: manny pacquiao, manny pacquiao ricky hatton, pacquiao hatton, People, Philippine Sports
Pacquiao-Hatton Negotiations Fall Through
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After weeks of negotiations, the big match between Manny Pacquiao and Britain’s Ricky Hatton will not push through.
Hatton was the next name on the list of Pacquiao’s big-time opponents after his defeat of Oscar de la Hoya last December. The proverbial monkey wrench in the deal-making was how the purse was going to be split between Pacquiao and Hatton.
Hatton’s camp wanted a 50-50 deal from an expected £40 million ($55 million) that will be generated. Pacquiao wanted 60%. Reports from a few days ago had the Pacman saying that he will not budge from that demand. Hatton’s people offered 52-48, but it apparently is not enough for Manny.
It looks like Manny is the only one calling this shot, since his trainer Freddie Roach has reportedly told him to OK the deal.
So what is this about?
Money? With the millions that Pacquiao has already earned from his previous fights, including the approximately $16 million from the dela Hoya bout, does he really need more money?
It may not be as simple as that.
A lot of what goes on before an actual boxing match, especially in such high-caliber bouts, is psychological. Consider the “stare-down” that happens during the official weigh-in. Pity the boxer who blinks, because that simple little action will be construed as weakness.
By demanding a 60% share of the purse, Manny wants to send a signal that he is the more valuable player. He draws more people to pay-per-view. He is more popular. Ergo, he has the upper hand.
It’s a little trick of the mind. By forcing Hatton to accept a 60-40 deal, Manny is making him acknowledge that they are not on equal footing. In the de la Hoya match, the Golden Boy got the better deal, because his is the established name. Manny inherited the throne with his spectacular defeat of de la Hoya.
Is Pacquiao worth the 60% share? Hatton doesn’t think so. As of now, neither of them will be getting a cent of that $55 million deal.
via Telegraph
