Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton Purse Spat

Some facts regarding the Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton purse spat.

Upcoming lucrative fights

Pacquiao has Mayweather and possibly Cotto. Hatton has Juan Manuel Marquez however Marquez isn't a huge PPV draw. Marquez only thinks he is but he isn't. Only bums are left for Hatton to fight on if he skips this one!

Pay Per View Record (Fights on PPV)

Manny Pacquiao 6 - 1 (4 KOS)
Ricky Hatton 0-1 (via KO)

Supposed leverage

Hatton - could attract 30,000 English fans
Pacquiao could attract the same no. esp. if the fight is held in San Francisco or Los Angeles (credit John Chavez)

Pacquiao is the Top Fighter in the World and No.1 in Pound for Pound Rankings (demoted by BoxingRec to No.11 after his demolishing of Oscar De La Hoya which goes to show TURDS run BoxingRec).

Hatton has been using record British PPV buys after his match with Mayweather. Boxingscene reported 1.2 - 1.4 million buys for Sky Box Office in the UK alone. In the US, the fight had 850,000 buys. According to fightopinion.com (an MMA site) the buy rate didn't match the expectations.

The Mayweather-De La Hoya PPV drew a reported buyrate of 2.5 million customers. 60% of 2.5 million buys would be 1.5 million buys. The reported buyrate of 850,000 for Mayweather-Hatton would equal 34% of the business (or around one-third) that the 5/5/07 fight did in Las Vegas.

Given the level of hype and expectations by all parties involved going into the fight, the 850,000 PPV buyrate number is way below business expectations.

This even before the world economic crisis. Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya raked in 1.25 million. It also a tad less than what is expected but with the bad economy - it was better.

It seems Mayweather wants to get in the act:

In a separate interview, Pacquiao said he has received the word that former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. is interested in coming out of retirement to fight him.

"Mayweather's camp is making an appeal, they're talking to us. They've talked to my attorney and told him that they're interested in the fight so we're listening to them," he said.

During the Dream Match negotiations, Manny Pacquiao wasn't happy with the revenue split and rejected Oscar De La Hoya's proposal. Pacquiao's rejection was so powerful it even stunned Espn writer Dan Rafael who observed that this must be the first time in a long time De La Hoya is getting a dose of his own medicine. It was only after De La Hoya gave in that Manny agreed to fight him. Manny isn't afraid of Hatton - supposed verbal agreement isn't enough. Make no mistake about it - Manny will not agree to anything if he doesn't like it. He rejected De La Hoya - the undisputed Box Office King of Boxing - before. Manny Pacquiao knows he has many aces up his sleeve. Who has the leverage now?

It seems Hatton's lawyers doesn't know a verbal contract and a business proposal.

The verbal contract that the Hitman camp is talking about does not exist. The 50/50 sharing as agreed upon by Arum and the lawyer of Hatton is the "agreed" upon financial reward of the fight pending the signature of Manny Pacquiao. As such, it only becomes official upon affixing Pacquiao's signature which will become enforceable and binding. Since Pacquiao has NOT signed it yet, then it is not binding. Any negotiation entered into by Bob Arum in behalf of Pacquiao is only enforceable after Pacquiao signs it. It is just a mere "business proposal" subject to the acceptance and signature of the major party involved. SO IT IS IN NO WAY A VERBAL CONTRACT OR A BINDING CONTRACT. WHAT ARUM AND HATTON LAWYER AGREED UPON WAS A BUSINESS PROPOSAL, A PROPOSAL FOR PACQUIAO TO ACCEPT OR REJECT IT. PACQUIAO DOESN'T WANT THE PROPOSAL SO HE REJECTS IT. HE WANTS SOME MINOR CHANGES BEFORE HE SIGNS IT. PACQUIAO OFFERS A COUNTERPROPOSAL. NOW IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT, TO HELL WITH ALL OF THEM. MANNY CAN CHOOSE HIS OPPONENT AND EARN THE SAME AMOUNT.

Gil P. Acosta - Philboxing.com

Is Manny greedy?

When you ask your boss for a raise because you not only feel deserve it but received tangible accolades, is it greed? No. When you fight for what you feel is rightfully yours, is it greed? No. I think it is the old crab mentality at work here.

Athletes ask for raise after an excellent season and knowledgeable sports fan everywhere know that's the reality and don't complain (unless it is very excessive). The problem with some fans here is there are many self-proclaimed saints. Boxing is a profession and a dangerous one. The boxer gambles his safety on the ring. There's no guarantee he'll be 100% safe. There are about 15,000 professional boxers worldwide and if they are in Manny's position I think most of them would do the same.

Is Pacquiao's lawyer greedy?

I would fire my lawyer if he doesn't act on my best interest. Period. Enough with the self-righteous act!

Is Katsidis really famous in the Philippines?

Yes, most people know him as the guy who Casamayor destroyed on national TV.

Update:

After Bob Arum explained the finer details of the contract, it seems Manny's camp are appeased. Manny will get half of the UK PPV. It is something Mayweather failed to get the last time he fought Hatton.

Update May 13, 2009

Purse split 52-50 in favor of Pacquiao, it seems Schaefer and Arum added their share in the pot so as to make Pacquiao approve the fight --- The Philippine Star reported last Friday I think.

Sources:

http://www.fightopinion.com/2007/12/17/spin-doctoring-the-mayweather-hatton-ppv-buyrate-number/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/01/12/09/pacquiao-wants-60-share-hatton-fight