By Mark Vester
Before the fight was even signed, Floyd Mayweather Jr. became the obvious winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton, scheduled for May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. During the course of the last two weeks, Mayweather's name was used over and over by the camps of Hatton and Pacquiao. When Pacquiao-Hatton appeared to fall apart as the two sides bickered over the split of the money, both fighters were immediately chasing a fight with Mayweather.
Floyd has been inactive/half-retired since December 8, 2007. That night he knocked out Hatton in ten, then stayed away from the ring for a few months, and later he would announce his retirement for the second time in his career. Since he retired, we barely heard a chirp from Mayweather's mouth, at least on the subject of boxing. That hasn't stopped Hatton and Pacquiao from trying to get him back in the ring. Of course Mayweather recently directed his adviser and close friend, Leonard Ellerbe, to accept and review potential fight offers.
During the pre-contract hype for Pacquiao-Hatton, the Mayweather name was being thrown around so much that many people thought he pulling some strings in the background and working both sides against each other.
The obvious target after Pacquiao-Hatton is in the books - is Mayweather. He doesn't have to fight or say a word. His name is certainly going to come up a number of times as the pre-fight hype unwraps for Pacquiao-Hatton.
The storyline is there for both fighters. If Pacquiao beats Hatton, there would still be a lingering dispute over his reign as the "legitimate" pound for pound champion. Mayweather has already beaten De La Hoya and Hatton. There are many who still view Mayweather as the pound for pound champion in recess. The winner of Pacquiao-Mayweather would settle the issue once and for all.
Could the fight realistically ever be made? Given Pacquiao's newfound ego when it comes to splitting the money, and combining that with Mayweather's vast ego, it's hard to picture either of them agreeing to a smaller share of the money.
Mayweather announced his retirement and walked away from a De La Hoya rematch where he could have made at least $20 million dollars. Mayweather took a small split when fought De La Hoya in May 2007, but he refused to take another small split when De La Hoya came knocking for a second time. Based on the fact that he beat De La Hoya in the first fight, Mayweather felt that he should have received a much bigger split in the rematch.
Pacquiao's stubborn stance on receiving a bigger piece of the money is becoming a regular occurance. It almost derailed last December's bout with De La Hoya, and it nearly cost him the May date with Hatton. It's no secret in the sport, Mayweather does not view Pacquiao as a fighter on the same level in terms of skill and popularity. The negotiations between Pacquiao and Mayweather will probably wear out both fighters, before an actual fight.
For Hatton, the word "revenge" would ring out. Considering that Hatton is now being trained by Floyd's father [Floyd Mayweather Sr.], there are multiple storylines to hype up a second meeting with Mayweather. All Hatton needs is an impressive win over Pacquiao to get another crack at Floyd.
Once the wheels start rolling, it's going to be interesting to see if Mayweather comes out in the open and begins to call out the winner. Most are expecting him to do so, either before or after the fight is over.