Let the Games Begin - the Setup for Mayweather-Pacquiao Negotiations

As Scott reported earlier today, Pacquiao has come out and said he has no interest in facing Miguel Cotto or Shane Mosley, and he wants the Mayweather-Marquez winner. Elsewhere, Floyd Mayweather has said that "it will be a cold day in hell" before he lets Manny Pacquiao get a 50/50 split of their purse.

While Mayweather is preparing for a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, everyone and their mother knows that this fight is actually part of the buildup of what could be a megafight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Unfortunately, Mayweather seems to be the only one behaving like it.

Negotiating a contract is all about getting leverage, and being able to effectively exercise that leverage on your opponent. It's much like a boxing match in itself - you play to your strengths, and try to expose your opponent's weaknesses. The party that is able to more effectively carry out this strategy will, more often than not, get the better of the negotiations.

Mayweather is already setting up for the negotiations that will inevitably take place. While it takes bravado to come straight out and say you'll win the negotiations before they even start, it shows us where Mayweather's mind is, and it lets us know that he's not going to lay down just to get the fight made. In addition, in putting out his 'hit list', he's shown that there are a number of opponents he's willing to face. None of them are as big of a draw as Pacquiao, but it's also true that none of them will ask for a 50/50 split, and most of them aren't as big of a threat to take away Mayweather's shiny zero as Pacquiao is.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, hasn't done much to set up the negotiations. First, Bob Arum made a huge blunder in announcing a record PPV gate for Pacquiao-Hatton, only to see the final numbers come in lower than for Mayweather-Hatton and back off from publishing numbers at all. Now, Pacquiao has backed himself into a corner by saying he doesn't want to face Cotto or Mosley, who would be the second and third biggest money options after a Mayweather fight. Thus, as I see it, here's the current negotiating landscape:

* Mayweather can point to the fact that he drew better in pay-per-view against Hatton and De La Hoya than Pacquiao did. A couple months from now, he'll likely be able to say the same about Juan Manuel Marquez. While there are intervening factors (like a recession and Mayweather's overall lack of activity), this plays heavily into Mayweather's favor.
* If there is no fight against Pacquiao, he can still take on Shane Mosley or try to take on Miguel Cotto. He would make much more against Pacquiao than either of those guys, but if he beats either one of them, then Mayweather further improves his negotiating position, and he still probably gets $15 - 20 million richer in the process.
* If there's no fight against Mayweather, Pacquiao will probably be stuck with facing Edwin Valero. While it's a fight the diehards want to see, it's a MUCH smaller fight than either Mosley or Cotto.
* If he does face Mosley or Cotto, he's much more likely to lose to them than Mayweather is, considering size and styles. So even if he backs off his statement that he doesn't want them, there's a risk that he kills the fight completely if he loses to either of them.
* Bob Arum does hold one wild card, in that he promotes Miguel Cotto. As such, he might be able to prevent a Mayweather-Cotto fight or force a Pacquiao-Cotto fight, although he isn't going to want to do too much to piss off his second biggest cash cow.

Already, Top Rank and Manny Pacquiao have made a pair of devastating tactical blunders in their future negotiations with Mayweather - backing out of the Pacquiao-Hatton pay per view buy numbers, and foreclosing on Pacquiao's other most profitable options. Mayweather, on the other hand, has played his hand perfectly so far, saying there are a number of other big money names he'd like to face.

While a 50/50 split might be the most equitable outcome, I have to believe Floyd on this one - the fight won't happen if Mayweather doesn't get the bigger share of the purse, at least nominally. Pacquiao hasn't been one to swallow his pride in the past, several times threatining to back out of fights to get more of the purse. Either way, for Pacquiao to get this big payday, he'll need to swallow something, hopefully his tongue. If he's not willing to take less than half, he can bide his time fighting the Edwin Valeros of the world for smaller paydays.

Source: http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/5/27/890449/let-the-games-begin-the-setup-for

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.: "PACQUIAO WILL NEVER GET 50/50"

During a recent online chat, Floyd Mayweather Jr. answered questions posed to him from a couple of his fans. Although the majority of the conversation revolved around recent comments made by Shane Mosley, Mayweather did take time out to address the possibility of a potential clash with Manny Pacquiao. "Pacquiao will never get 50/50. It'll be a cold day in hell before that happens," Mayweather stated when asked about the possibility of an even split of the purse.

With that kind of attitude, it seems highly unlikely that a clash between the two best fighters in the sport will happen any time soon. Promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach have made it clear that they consider Manny Pacquiao to be the number one guy and the top draw in the equation. "60/40 our way will work. 60/40 his way, it's not happening," Roach would tell Brian Kenny during a recent interview. Mayweather, on the other hand, sees otherwise.

"He's a very good fighter who has a promoter and a trainer that are doing all the talking for him. I ain't heard Pacquiao mention my name one time. Why? He knows that he would get his ass torn out the frame fighting me. His promoter is jockeying for position to set his guy up, but that would never work with us. We deal with facts. When he fought Oscar, he did 1.25 [million]. When I fought Oscar, we did 2.5 [million]. Against Hatton, they did 800 [thousand] and change. I did 930 [thousand] for the same fight. I did over a million in the UK and they did less than half of that," Mayweather continued as he explained his reasoning for demanding the bigger share of the purse.

While Mayweather's unwillingness to do a 50/50 split of the purse seems selfish and unfair to fans looking forward to the biggest fight in boxing, he does bring up some valid points. The numbers don't lie, which is probably the reason why Arum is reluctant to reveal the actual PPV numbers from Pacquiao's fight with Hatton. Still though, it's unclear as to which fighter is truly the bigger draw as they both needed Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, two stars with their own huge fanbase, in order to generate such lofty numbers. Perhaps a better test of drawing power will be a fight with someone with a little less crossover appeal...which is why Mayweather's fight with Marquez is so intriguing.

If the Mayweather vs. Marquez pay-per-view card does anything close to the numbers that Pacquiao vs. Hatton did, then you can guarantee Mayweather will never come off his demands to receive the lion's share of the purse. If, however, his fight with Marquez does significantly less numbers, then Mayweather might feel a cold front blowing through hell and a 50/50 purse split might sound much more appealing.

Assuming that his fight with Marquez is a pay-per-view success, it looks like Mayweather is already anticipating his next move and it doesn't sound like it involves lengthy negotiations with Manny Pacquiao. "Since Shane is running his mouth and trying to be disrespectful, he just moved down the hitlist," Mayweather revealed when asked if he preferred to face Pacquiao or Mosley next. "One thing I promise my fans, they're all going to get it one by one," he continued. First up though is Juan Manuel Marquez, who, despite one some people may think, is definitely a tough opponent and a live dog for any fighter coming off such a lengthy layoff. If there was ever a time to catch Mayweather off of his game, this is it and Marquez will look to spoil the plans of a lot of people come July 18.

Source: http://fighthype.com/pages/content4980.html

Pacquiao "not interested" in Cotto or Mosley, only Floyd or Marquez

Ronnie Nathanielsz reports that Manny Pacquiao is supposedly "not interested" in fighting either Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto on October 17 (the date of his next bout), but instead is interested only in facing the winner of the July 18 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao is favoring Mayweather in that bout.

It's interesting because you can look at it one of two ways. The biggest fight is not Pacquiao-Mosley or Pacquiao-Cotto, period. It is Pacquiao versus the Floyd-JMM winner, and we all know that. Having "no interest" in fighting them, though? He seems set on that October 17 date, which is four months after the Mayweather-Marquez bout and assumedly plenty of time for either man to recover, but what if it's a hard fight? What if the winner isn't ready to go that soon? What then? At that point, Mosley or Cotto become the best opponent.

The Pacquiao Mania is pretty awesome and totally deserved, but it feels like we're all setting ourselves up for a letdown if he takes a "good" fight but not a great one in October. If he matches up with a guy on the level of Nate Campbell or Tim Bradley or the like (not that either is likely) instead of a Mosley or Cotto, people will complain. He won't be fighting a bad opponent, though. And frankly this is the type of situation you get sometimes with a great fighter. If he wants to fight, he's gotta fight someone, and the best just might not be available at that time.

But it looks like Mosley will be available. I truly think Freddie Roach and Pacquiao know that's a tough matchup. Mosley is much bigger than Manny at 5'9", and he's still a beast of a welterweight. It's a great fight and one I'd love to see, but I don't think the Pacquiao camp or Top Rank are exactly itching to make that, and for fair enough reasons. I think they absolutely see Manny as a 140-pound fighter save for a special occasion like Oscar or Floyd, where the money is so good that you'd be a fool to pass it up.

One other thing I was thinking about: It's too bad that the pricetag would be too high, because a Shane Mosley-Zab Judah fight on the Mayweather-Marquez undercard could've been a great idea at this point. It gets Shane in the ring in a should-win fight and there's still some decent name value going on there with Judah. I really wish Mosley would make a fight. Sadly I don't think the "big fights" he wants are coming.

Source: http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/5/27/889823/pacquiao-not-interested-in-cotto

Mayweather praises, then belittles Manny

Floyd Mayweather has unleashed a flurry of verbal jabs at Manny Pacquiao.

"If we ever fought, I’d beat the shit out of Manny Pacquiao. And he (Pacquiao) knows that," Mayweather told the website boxing talk yesterday.

Still, Mayweather admitted that Pacquiao’s second-round demolition of Ricky Hatton was impressive, but said that the Filipino’s best won’t be enough to beat him.

"A very, very good performance. He’s a very good fighter, but he could never beat me. Ricky Hatton never listened to my dad (Floyd Sr.), if he had followed my dad it would have been different, but he never listened from the word go."

While Pacquiao has refused to divulge who among Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez is his preference for his Oct. 17 fight, it’s been widely believed that the pound-for-pound king has his eyes trained on the loudmouthed Mayweather Jr.

Team Pacquiao said the identity of who Pacquiao fights next will be known after the July 18 Mayweather-Marquez showdown.

It would be a hard to stage a Mayweather-Pacquiao match owing to the egos involved.

Being unbeaten prior to his ‘retirement’ in 2008, Mayweather will insist that he deserves the lion’s share of the profit in the event a fight with Pacquiao is discussed.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/202534

Shane Mosley to Floyd Mayweather: 'Quit running'

All of a sudden, everyone wants a piece of Floyd Mayweather.

The former pound-for-pound champion and Grand Rapids native emerged from retirement earlier this month to accept a fight against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on July 18 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He claimed Marquez calling him out prompted their matchup.

Current pound-for-pound champ Manny Pacquiao and his trainer, Freddie Roach, both called out Mayweather immediately following Pacquiao's second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton -- a few hours after Mayweather upstaged their matchup with his announcement that he was returning to the sport.

Now, it's Shane Mosley who's calling out Mayweather. Again.

The two American fighters have been accused of dodging each other since the late 1990s, but Mosley is tired of waiting. He wants to be next on Mayweather's list of opponents.

He even suggested Mayweather is returning to the ring because he might be broke.

"Floyd, quit running. Stop running. Stop saying that, oh, you know, I'm not a pay-per-view attraction, or this or that," Mosley said in a recent television interview. "I've been fighting longer than you. I've been making money longer than you. That's probably why you're coming back to the sport right now is because you need money, you lost your money, now you had to come back and get some more money.

"We can make money together, alright? So let's do it," he added.

Mayweather has said he will fight all top opponents during his return.

His adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, told ESPN.com last week that a matchup with Mosley is possible in the future.

"We can't fight him right now, but he's one of the top fighters," Ellbere said. "We recognize he's one of the top fighters. He can get it, too."

Source: http://www.mlive.com/mayweather/index.ssf/2009/05/shane_mosley_to_floyd_mayweath.html

Mayweather,Tyson,Pacquiao,Mosley and more

Mayweather: Pound-for-Pound Answers Found....



Ok, I'm just gonna come out and say it for Floyd Mayweather jr. Everyone wants to know why he hasn't bothered to take on guys like Margarito, or Cotto, or perhaps even Williams? Is he scared? Not at all. Is he highly skeptical? Perhaps of some on that list more than others. But when you think about it, why shouldn't he be? Yeah, Pacquiao started out at 106lbs, and it's easy to understand his fear of facing anyone too too big, but has anyone ever stopped to realize that after starting his career in '96 and spending 5yrs as a super-featherweight (130lbs), Floyd spent a year as a lightweight (135lbs), a year as a light welterweight (140lbs), and a mere 2 years campaigning as a welterweight (147lbs)? Those two years at welterweight were spent fighting the likes of Mitchell (not a big welter), Judah (another small welter), Baldomir, Oscar, and Hatton (yep, you guessed it, another small-fry). Why did he opt to face those guys only? Truth be told, he was probably never any more comfortable fighting as a welterweight than Pacquiao would be, but in a stark parallel, he followed the house money like we now see Pacquiao doing. When you consider the fact that guys like Cotto, Margarito, Williams, and Clottey have all entered the ring on fight night as welterweights that carry 160lbs or better, you truly have to wonder how feasible is it to step in with a guy like that when you've never entered the ring beyond 150lbs - (and that happened to be in a fight he took at jr. middleweight). So in examining the reasons for Pacquiao's concern I think it's fair to say we've uncovered Floyd's as well. Now considering that both these guys are half-pints in disguise, can we finally stop the catch-weight yappin' and make the fight happen?



Mosley: No 'Ring' Around The Mosley...



For years, 'Sugar' Shane Mosley was seen as perhaps one of the classiest men in the sport. Awesome in the ring, well-behaved out it. After a stunning performance against Mexican 'Iron-man' Antonio Margarito, it seems the awareness of a phone that has still yet to ring is starting to create a bitter change in the 'Sugar' man. In a recent interview with ESPN's Brian Kenny, Mosley went well beyond his norm in not only calling former P4P king Floyd Mayweather out, but using rhetoric which most viewers perceived to be ill-fated attacks at Mayweather's rumored money problems. This was quite a shift in Shane, but considering the fact that he hasn't been able to land a big fight deal after arguably his best career moment and Mayweather was able to return after a near 2yr layoff and has a table full of offers awaiting, perhaps it's precisely what the doctor ordered for Mr. Mosley. Mayweather recently stated in so many words that when he was nice and mild-mannered, no one was talking about him, but when he started talking and doing things his way, the attention, the money, and all the other accolades came into the equation. I don't know if that 'bad-boy' call-em-out reputation will help for Mosley, but hey, maybe it's better late than never. He can back it up in the ring too, so if taking off that 'ring' over his head (halo), and acting foul is the way to piss Mayweather off enough to eventually land him in the ring, (even if it is after a Pacquiao showdown), why not?



Pacquiao: If I Could Be Like Mike....



Recently, a number of fans and critics around the sport have began to question Filipino Manny Pacquiao about rumored stipulations to be imposed on his yet to be named next opponent. Of all things criticized, the most prominent one is the stipulation that would make it mandatory for that person to make a weight no more than 142lbs. As discouraging as it may seem to see the political side of the sport rear its ugly head once again, to quote the legendary Roy Jones Jr., "yall musta forgot"! What Pacquiao is doing now is nothing more than asserting his position as 'head-man-in-charge'. Over a decade ago it was Mike Tyson, following him it was Oscar De La Hoya calling the shots and making the rules. After Oscar's reign it was Floyd who became the sports cash cow, receiving the leverage to give ultimatums, and after he retired and relinquished that role, it was subsequently taken by Pacquiao who now owns exclusive rights to the 'table', able to run it pretty much however he chooses. It would be a shame if we don't actually get to see some of these fights made and in a way it would leave questions around his legacy, but at the end of the day, is it fair to blame the Pac-ster? He didn't invent the wheel, but much like his predecessors, he's just fine rollin' with it! Think about it....In today's money driven era of the sport, who doesn't wanna be like Mike (Tyson)?



Paul Williams: Proud Paul Keep On Burnin'...



Isn't it funny how all the talk about who's gonna fight who in the welterweight division has yet to produce one sentence with the name Paul Williams in it? No doubt, Williams' exit north from the welterweight division didn't help his cause, but he and his people have made no secret that they don't mind one bit having to entertain a scenario that would require them to cut weight and get back down to '47. Cotto fought Margarito, Margarito fought Mosley, Clottey is fighting Cotto and the list goes on. Somewhere in the midst of all this hagglin' there has to be something in the mix for Paul...or is there? When you think of the height, the length, and the work rate, there's no question why few have come knocking. With the welterweight division yielding no results and the jr. middleweight and middleweight divisions producing few options as well, one has to wonder, will Paul ever get a chance to showcase his true worth, or will he forever walk that path which 'Winky' Wright, Nate Campbell, and a few others have....possessing top tier talent, but having no takers to allow them to display it. Hearing Mosley - (a welterweight fighter who can physically entertain a 154lb limit) - say in so many words that he has no interest in a potential showdown with him certainly didn't help. Williams has quite a bit to be proud of considering his emergence in the sport, but deep down inside, I quietly wonder if not being able to cash in on the mega bucks being tossed around or atleast engage in a few mega-fight headliners has the big man burnin'?



Johnson/Dawson: 'Road Warrior' Travelin' Up Dawson's Creek?



After taking two fights against Antonio Tarver, rumor has it that Dawson is getting set for a real (re)match made in heaven this time. Or atleast for Glen Johnson it is. Ever since the two locked horns initially, Johnson has practically turned up every stone east of the Mississippi looking and searching for a meaningful fight and found that no such scenario existed. After their last encounter, many question whether this decision to take on Johnson again was in-fact the popular choice in Dawson's camp, or simply the unpopular decision conveyed to them, urged by growing public demand? Another question ponders whether the decision to delay the rematch will help Dawson against an aging Johnson, or whether or not it will serve as a motivational ploy for Johnson, knowing that this may very well be his last chance to dance? I personally can't pin down which one of the two it may be, but what I can say is that I'm happy the two teams are back at the round table. For one of them, large questions will be answered, and perhaps for the losing party, a few more raised. The mark of any true champion is the ability to remove all doubt, and now that the chance may be upon us, it feels swell. I hate to go old school but these "good vibrations" have me quoting that old school Mark Wahlberg (as Marky-Mark) joint from back in the day...."Are yall ready for this"?



Urango/Berto: Beef Buffet, Heavy On The Ribs



Saturday night we get a chance to see the young Andre Berto as he steps into the ring against a man that's probably as live an underdog as any out there know. The only real memory most have of Urango is the fight againt Ricky Hatton but oddly enough, the man you saw then is far from the man you'll see now. Under the guidance of Evangelista Cotto (Miguel Cotto's uncle and former trainer), Urango has looked nothing short of stellar and those wide looping shots have been replaced with more precise jabs, and a dedication to the body that only Miguel Cotto could rival in todays market. For Berto, the basic skill set comparison goes to him easily, but the intangible here could very well be the body work. No one (with true knowledge) can deny Urango's ability to take a punch, but his ability to land something nasty is far more dangerous. Berto showed major signs of pain when tested to the body by Collazo and many felt it had a lot to do with the southpaw stance. Well, here's another one up to bat, and trust me, Collazo's power pales in comparison. I lean towards Berto getting the nod here, but if the rib-shack is open and Urango gets 'all-he-can-eat', I think the Berto evolution could very well be halted. His trainer, Tony Morgan, stated that it's time for Berto to "Shine or turn the lights off". I don't wanna read too much into that but based on heavy skepticism of the young champ, this had better be a non-questionable verdict, or many of us on the outside looking in will be wondering "is there anybody home"?



Jones/Lacy: Is Florida Finale A 'Curtain Call'?



Both Roy Jones Jr. and Jeff Lacy know that their scheduled showdown has as many implications as any non-title bout could ever have. Coming off a string of losses with a few not-so-solid performances sandwiched in, neither man is in position to let this opportunity pass without an out this world performance to pull from. When looking at common opponents, the name Joe Calzaghe comes to mind. For Lacy, Calzaghe was the single-most detrimental figure his career could have ever seen. While for Jones, he was humbled as well, but many believe that an opponent without the wicked workrate and speedy slaps could still easily fall on the short end of the stick against him. With both men being from Florida it's only fitting that they settle this score in the sunshine state, but another devastating loss for either man could quickly turn that shine to rain. Roy has little left to prove, while Lacy (in the eyes of some) has never technically proved anything. Nothing is impossible today in the fight game. That is until we start seeing guys ask the forces of nature to turn back the hands of time. I have no idea who will emerge victorious, but with the stage set and the script in question, apparently we'll have to wait until August to find out which man gets the encore, and which torn soldier won't want more? Personally, I have an inclination here.....Is it me, or is this one just that predictable?



"Iron" Mike Tyson: A Silent Prayer



After a life that has seen him rise from basement level ashes to effectively touch the stars, existence beyond his glory days have been quite troubling for "Iron" Mike Tyson and a recent tragedy in his family only adds further pain. For a man who measures himself with words, I can honestly say that there's no words in any dictionary or thesaurus on the planet to describe the level of pain this loss means to those of us who have supported Mike throughout his career and life. The loss of a child is immeasurable, and I can only pray that Tyson and his family can find peace in this trying time. Many have been very critical of him and some continue to be, but in a moment like this which strips a once beastly demeanor, uncovering a God-fearing, tear-dropping being like the rest of us; I say to those detractors......We may originate from totally different worlds, and have totally different approaches to life, but in the end, can anyone truly question whether or not this man - like the rest of us - is only human? And do you now understand why many of us chose to never turn our back on him in the first place? Blessings to the Tyson family.

Source: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1623/2009-05-27.html

Manny Pacquiao's Next Fight Pencilled In For October 17th - Who Will Meet "Pac-Man" Next?

As special as Manny Pacquiao's awesome KO of Ricky Hatton was back on May 2nd, the short and sweet - not to mention brutal - win left us all wanting more. It wasn't "Pac-Man's" fault he dispatched "The Hitman" with such ease, but with the fans watching while hoping for a fight that would bring out the best in the superb Filipino southpaw, some inevitably went home with a feeling of dissatisfaction. This is in no way a complaint about Pacquiao; who could complain about such a superb and all-conquering warrior? Nevertheless, we fans are still hungry for more and as such we cannot wait to see the pound-for-pound king back in the ring.

The good news is Pacquiao's next fight is currently pencilled in for October 17th, most likely in Las Vegas. And hopefully this time, as much as we enjoy seeing spectacular knockouts, the action will last a little longer!

Reading the various chatter on the net, there are four or five names being spoken of as possibilities for Pacquiao's October foe. There's the winner of the July 18th clash between the returning Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez, there's "Sugar" Shane Mosley, there's Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, and, as an outside chance, seeing as how Pacquiao has said he has no real interest in facing him, there is Miguel Cotto. Either fight, begging the pardon of Chavez Junior, would be as good as can be expected in the quality match-up stakes.

Of course, there is the possibility Pacquiao will opt to take on another fighter entirely, but there's a reasonable chance the 30-year-old, now all-time great, will face one of the names listed above. We all know who we WANT it to be - the Mayweather-Marquez winner. But that doesn't mean it will happen. Not yet, anyway. if "Money" does as expected and wins on July 18th, he and Pacquiao will surely meet down the road, but it may not be until next year some time.

As with Cotto, the weight issue may prove to be problematic for Mosley when it comes to a fight with "Pac-Man." Manny doesn't want to box any higher than 142-pounds, we hear; and it's unlikely Mosley will relish the idea of coming in that low any more than Cotto does. You know what this may all mean? Many fans won't like it, but Chavez Junior just might wind up getting his "dream fight" after all.

Would this match-up give paying fans more bang for their buck, in a competitive fight sense, than the brief Hatton fight did? Maybe, but it's not too likely. Okay, it's pure conjecture to write about who the sport's most exciting fighter will take on in his next outing, but it's because Pacquiao is so exciting that we writers simply want to write about him! And we can't wait to get busy writing up a report on his next bout.

As high on the pedestal as he is, Pacquiao against anyone but a top-ranked and formidably rated foe would doubtlessly be frowned upon. But this is just what we may get in October; unless something can be worked out with Cotto and/or Mosley. The Mayweather showdown, meanwhile, looks like a blockbuster that we will have to wait a little while longer for yet.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19941&more=1