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All hopes for Pacquiao-Hatton match 'virtually dead’
Written by staff   
Saturday, 24 January 2009 06:51

All hopes for a blockbuster match between Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and British champion Ricky Hatton have become virtually dead as the Filipino fighter thumbed down the “last offer” laid down by the other camp.

Pacquiao declined to accept the 52-48 compromise split with a $12 million guarantee. The refusal was reportedly made “as a matter of principle.”

“It’s not a matter of money,” said a source close privy to the negotiations. “This is a matter of principle. We want to establish a position where Manny is respected on the negotiating table.”

Instead, Pacquiao’s counsel Franklin “Jeng” and adviser Michael Koncz advised Top Rank promoter Bob Arum of another compromise: a 52-48 split with a $13 million guarantee. Another option is a 55-45 split with a $12 million guarantee.

Arum meanwhile said: “The Hatton people have been very patient. They have told (Richard) Schaefer that tomorrow morning (London Time) they are calling a press conference announcing that they are calling off the fight.”

Arum said he had informed Gacal that he “has to have a signed copy of the contract by 6:00 p.m. Manila Time. If they don’t have it faxed to my house I can’t prevent these people from pulling the plug.”

In a text message two hours before the deadline expired, Gacal said “Manny won’t sign what’s on the table. So I think it’s kaput.”

Arum reiterated his earlier statement the other day that he had been able to get Pacquiao a 52-48 revenue split from the original 50-50 deal.

This is aside from raising the guaranteed purse from the $11 million Pacquiao got from the Dream Match with Oscar de la Hoya to $12 million for the Hatton showdown.

An exasperated Arum said: “I don’t know what these people want anymore. If it won’t happen, it won’t happen.”

The Top Rank promoter said Pacquiao will probably be back to getting $2 to $3 million a fight. He speculated that Pacquiao might just have to sit out the rest of the year.

Very early Wednesday morning in Manila, Hatton’s father Ray told us that they were hopeful that “everything is in order” when the contracts are sent over to their lawyer Gareth Williams later in the day.

Ray said that “other people who have a share ease back on theirs and be sensible enough to make the fight happen.”

The elder Hatton said they were hoping an announcement could be made on Friday and that Pacquiao and his son will hold press conferences in the British capital as well as Manchester.

He said if the fight doesn’t happen “a lot of fans will be very disappointed.”
 
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