By Mark Vester
The biggest and richest fight in boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, has a very difficult path to getting done. Both sides are taking a hard line on the money. Mayweather sees no reason to split the money 50-50 with Pacquiao. Based on his past interviews, he wants at least a 60-40 split or better. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who advises the fighter on some of business aspects during negotiations, will demand a 60-40 split in Pacquiao's favor and a catch-weight of 145-pounds.
“We need to negotiate for the money and the weight, but I want the fight at 145-pounds. Mayweather still doesn’t have that huge audience so I would go for 60-40 for Manny,” said Roach to The Philippine Star.
Mayweather believes that he does have a huge audience and one that is bigger than the audience Pacquiao brings. Mayweather pointed that out during a recent interview when talking about his recent pay-per-view numbers with the Juan Manuel Marquez fight. He says Pacquiao and Cotto both have large legions of fans who buy their pay-per-views and the two fighters needed each other to produce a high pay-per-view buyrate. Mayweather doesn't really think Marquez brought much to the table in terms of pay-per-view buys.
"I did over a million [pay-per-view] homes by myself. I didn't have no dance partner," Mayweather said. He would add later - "I deserve a bigger piece of the pie."
Roach's weight demand is strategy. Mayweather did not even try to make the agreed catch-weight of 144-pounds for his bout with Marquez. Instead he paid $600,000 to Marquez. Mayweather may struggle to get down to a weight of 145, but it's unlikely that he will accept a catch-weight with Pacquiao being the WBO welterweight champion.
The date of March 13 is set aside for Pacquiao's next fight. Roach told the paper that a March date will not work for a Mayweather fight. He need more time to prepare Pacquiao for the style of Mayweather.
“If it’s Mayweather, we need time to get ready for that fight. We have to come out with a real different style. It’s a whole different ballgame,” Roach said. "I’d say he rest for a while, enjoy the holidays, run for elections, and the Congressman Manny Pacquiao will kick Mayweather’s ass,” said Roach.
Roach continues to warn people, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather will not be the most exciting fight. He sees it as a clash of styles because Mayweather is always on the move.
“Cotto came to fight and Mayweather comes to run. He makes a boring fight, but a lot of people will buy tickets to see him lose. So it would be a huge fight. I agree, but it would be less exciting than other Manny Pacquiao fights."
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
