By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao has finally ended the deal or no deal uncertainty over his May 2 showdown with Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton when he confirmed “the fight is on.”
Pacquiao is in Manila along with adviser Rex “Wakee” Salud who first broke the news that Pacquiao had come to terms with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
In a telephone conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Pacquiao explained the delay in finally agreeing to the fight, saying “I have to think first before I make any decision. Its not an easy decision to make. I am not that stupid to agree right away. I don’t want to get screwed.”
Pacquiao was clearly happy at the developments but didn’t wish to discuss details of the agreement he reached with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum whose best offer was a $12 million guarantee and a 52-48 revenue split which Pacquiao had turned down while pushing for a $13 million guarantee.
Pacquiao disclosed that he would start light training in the middle of February and would begin heavy training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym as earlier planned on March 1.
The boxing icon and world’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter said the battle with Hatton would be “a very good fight and better than my fight against (Oscar) De La Hoya “ in Las Vegas last December 6 when De La Hoya quit at the end of the eighth round after taking a bad beating.
Arum told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports shortly before noon, Manila Time, that Pacquiao had faxed a signed contract to his office and that the decision of Pacquiao “made me feel good.”
Arum enthused how he “ finally even talked to Manny for the first time in two weeks.” He said several American boxing writers were seated in his office and told him they would believe the fight is on when they see a signed contract.
Arum said “all’s well that ends well” even as he echoed Pacquiao’s statement that he was “happy over the deal” when he remarked that “everybody is happy.”
Arum clarified that his happiness stemmed from the fact that financially “the deal made sense.”
The Top Rank promoter disclosed that initial plans for him to fly to Manila next week have been pushed back. “I am not coming over right away. I’ll come over when we are ready to announce the March 15 card”.
That card which is a partnership between Top Rank and Solar Sports will feature IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who will defend his title against former world light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz and former light flyweight champion Brian Viloria will take on IBF champion Ulises Solis at the Araneta Coliseum .
Arum said the Hatton people “are on board” and the promotional tour in London and Manchester, England will take place in the last week of February. Other planned stops will be in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Arum added, “all’s well that ends well.”
Roach also expressed his happiness that the fight will finally take place and that training camp will open on March 1.
The celebrated trainer said Hatton was strong but had a tendency to throw a couple of punches and then hold and he would find a way to counter that. However, he had no doubt that Pacquiao will prevail just like he did against De La Hoya.
