By Rick Reeno
The negotiations continue for a middleweight collision between Kelly Pavlik, the WBC/WBO middleweight champion, and Paul Williams, currently the WBO's interm-champion at 154-pounds. The two sides are still talking, which is good. The financial positions by both sides are still far apart, which is not good. The date of October 3 on HBO awaits.
As previously reported, HBO is offering $3.75 million for the fight. As it stands right now, both fighters would receive $1.75 million [with Pavlik receiving percentage of the gate, etc.] and Top Rank, for Pavlik, would grab $500K. Numerous reports suggest that promoter Dan Goossen, acting for Williams, is countering with a $2.5 million dollar demand and requesting a better percentage of the gate than previously offered [attempts to reach Goossen to confirm his counter-offer were unsuccessful]. While some have called it excessive, I’ve heard the $2.5 million dollar counter is a reaction to Top Rank’s instance on a rematch clause. Top Rank started with an offer of a $1.2 million dollar flat fee, later raised to $1.55 and recently bumped to $1.75.
Most of the head bumping has to do with the revenue coming in from the gate, international feed and sponsorships. How much is that gate really worth and why is there such a battle over the percentage? Well, numerous sources have indicated to BoxingScene.com that Top Rank offered 20-25% above $1.8 million [meaning Top Rank gets the first $1.8 million of the gate and 75-80% above that number]. If the gate generates $1.8 or lower, then Goossen/Williams receive nothing. Based on their offer, Top Rank appears confident the gate will do a very big number. Williams and his team also believe the gate will do a big number. Pavlik/Top Rank are also keeping all of the money for the sponsorships and the foreign TV money [estimated around $300-500K depending on who you ask].
Whether or not the Pavlik fight is made, Williams will be fighting on October 3 on HBO. Pavlik may or may not appear on an alternate HBO date in 2009. If Williams fights WBO junior middleweight champion Sergei Dzinziruk on the October date, sources have told me that HBO would offer up $2 million for the fight. I’m told the current deal for Pavlik [at the moment] is not significantly higher than the overall number that Williams would make for Dzinziruk. Pavlik’s alternate options include Sergio Martinez and Winky Wright. I should disclose that Martinez is very close to finalizing a deal to fight Christophe Canclaux in France.
I spoke with four promoters who are not involved in the negotiations to get their take on the situation and their suggestions to finalize the fight. All four spoke with BoxingScene on the condition of anonymity.
Promoter A: “Personally I would pass on the fight [if I was Williams]. The license fee split is fair. Pavlik is the draw so if I was Top Rank I would keep $1 million of the gate and maybe give Goossen the rest.”
[That would give Williams $1.75 plus an additional $800K to Goossen/Williams of the $1.8, if the gate reaches $1.8.]
Promoter B: “When did Paul Williams become a draw? I personally would take the $1.75 and maybe, if I was Top Rank, give Goossen 50% above a million on the gate.”
[That would give Williams the $1.75 plus an additional $400K to Goossen/Williams of the $1.8, if the gate reaches $1.8.]
Promoter C: “I think that’s a bit excessive [the gate split]. The HBO split is fine. I would keep $500K [of the gate] and give Goossen 40 or 50% above that."
[That would give Williams the $1.75 plus an additional $520K [40%] to Goossen/Williams of the $1.8, if the gate reaches $1.8.]
Promoter D: “I think Goossen should take the Top Rank offer with a small percentage of the gate. Pavlik doesn't need the fight. If Williams can't fight on HBO, he doesn't fight. Most of these fighters, like [Shane] Mosely or Bernard Hopkins can't fight without HBO. Top Rank doesn't need HBO. If Top Rank doesn't get an HBO date for Pavlik, they will make their own show and Pavlik will probably still do at least a million or more at the gate without Paul Williams.”
[That would give Williams the $1.75 plus an additional $270K [15% for argument's sake] to Goossen/Williams of the $1.8, if the gate reaches $1.8.]