Pacquiao-Hatton set for May 2nd

[mattlanta]

http://philboxing.com/news/story-21197.html

PACQUIAO-HATTON SET FOR MAY 2 IN LAS VEGAS

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Dec 2008

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, undoubtedly the most astute promoter in the business, has a May 2 date in Las Vegas for a megabuck fight between the Philippines national treasure Manny Pacquiao and Britain ’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

Arum who arrived in Manila on Tuesday morning told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports “right now I want to lay everything out to Manny, where in negotiations with the Hatton people and I’ll leave it at that” indicating as he always does, that the choice would be up to Pacquiao.

However, Arum disclosed the Hatton fight will be on May 2 in Las Vegas saying “it will not be in Wembley, not because Manny would be afraid to fight in England but Wembley makes no sense because we’ll have to do it at five in the morning, outdoors, where there is a ninety percent chance of rain.”

It was clear that the pay-per-view potential was a major consideration in staging the fight in Las Vegas especially after the incredible numbers generated by the Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya “Dream Match” last December 6.

Arum revealed that the PPV numbers “are even better than they reported” and would be “a little over 1.4 million buys.”

The Top Rank promoter said the drawing power of Pacquiao was now evident and said he believes it will “go up appreciably when he fights Hatton or Mayweather or guys like that.”

Arum also indicated he would like Pacquiao to get through the Hatton fight before going up against Mayweather saying “I want Mayweather to stay there (in retirement) until September . The longer he’s out the more rusty he’ll be.”

Arum said that Mayweather “is pretty fast” but that Pacquiao throws numerous punches but in an unorthodox way and “while Mayweather is a master boxer it will be very difficult for him to handle somebody as unorthodox as Manny is.”

[mattlanta]

This doesn't mean it's going to happen. It's still up to Pacquiao whether or not he'd like to fight Hatton. They're only setting a date for a possible fight.

[Rich Rane]

Philboxing does a lot of interviews, but they are pro-Pacquiao...like uber pro-Pacquiao. I'll believe it when I read it on something like 8count, East Side Boxing, ESPN, Fight Hype, Boxing Scene...

[The Letter V]

It's not official yet but there's no doubt in my mind that it's going to happen. Just makes too much sense...though I can't believe there was talk of giving Judah a shot at Manny.

[j127]

This doesn't mean it's going to happen. It's still up to Pacquiao whether or not he'd like to fight Hatton. They're only setting a date for a possible fight.

Pacquiao will OK this fight, but I agree with you that the above article didnt' mention anything about the fight happening for sure yet.

Philboxing does a lot of interviews, but they are pro-Pacquiao...like uber pro-Pacquiao. I'll believe it when I read it on something like 8count, East Side Boxing, ESPN, Fight Hype, Boxing Scene...

It Looks Like It Could Be Hatton Next For Pacquiao (From East Side Boxing)

It's pretty much summarizing the article the original poster provided, but with this too:

Arum is correct when he says Pacquiao Vs. Hatton is a fight everyone wants to see, but so too is a Pacquiao-Mayweather clash being called for. Will that happen also?

"Mayweather we would love but Mayweather is moving very, very slowly," Arum said. "If he will be available it will be September or November next year. That's a possibility, but we haven't heard anything from the Mayweather people. I think his people want to do it but he hasn't given them the go-ahead."

...

According to the Star article, Arum, if he's unable to push through the Hatton fight for any reason, will consider another fighter for the superstar. Once again, Zab Judah's name cropped up. However, Arum closed by saying he is "optimistic it [a Hatton fight] will be done."

Arum sees the money. Having Pacquiao fight two mega fights (first Hatton, then Mayweather) in 2009 will be extremely lucrative for Top Rank.

[j127]

BUT...

Hatton a wanted man (Sky Sports)

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum had suggested a clash between the 'Pacman', currently regarded as the world's number one pound-for-pound fighter, and the light-welterweight champion Hatton could take place in the May.

But Ricky's father Ray has since confirmed Mayweather is looking to come out of retirement to take on the Mancunian once again.

Pacquiao cemented his place as the world's best fighter with a stunning knockout victory against Oscar De La Hoya earlier in December - and he remains Hatton's preferred option.

However the chance to set the record straight against Mayweather could be too tempting for Hatton to turn down.

"We had a conversation with a third party last night asking whether if we were approached by the Mayweather team could a possible rematch be on the cards," Ray Hatton told Sky Sports News.

"Ricky's made no secret that he'd sooner get beaten by Floyd Mayweather again but feel as though he was given a 100 per cent chance he could live with that. We've made no bones about that.

"We've had approaches from two or three other fighters as well. It's nice that people are asking us for fights, but obviously Manny Pacquiao is now regarded as pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world and that's a fight that Ricky would like.

I don't want to see another Hatton-Mayweather, honestly.

Seems like Pacquiao is Hatton's first choice though, which is a good thing.

[Bank Shot]

I don't want to see another Hatton-Mayweather, honestly.

Seems like Pacquiao is Hatton's first choice though, which is a good thing.

Ya me neither. Not that it would be a bad fight but I think it would be similar to the first one assuming Floyd is in shape. I'd like to see Floyd come back but the only fight involving him that would get me really excited would be a Pacman fight. At this point, Pacman fighting Hatton and then Mayweather (assuming Manny gets past Hatton) just makes too much sense especially with both guys coming off wins against Ricky and Oscar.

I just really, really, really don't want to see a Judah fight. With all the buzz around Manny and boxing in general right now, it would be a heck of a let down if he put off the big money fights. For the sake of the sport I hope we see the Hatton then Mayweather combo.

[cowboyronnie]

I'd much rather Mayweather. That fight could go either way. This one...meh, Pac by KO.

[Anklebreaker702]

They should settle. Both of these guys are Trojans. These are the fights they live for

[GS Warriors 1]

Hatton is the best at 140 and Pacquiao wants to fight at that weight, so make it happen. Should be a great fight and great atmosphere too.

[Blame Rasho]

Philboxing does a lot of interviews, but they are pro-Pacquiao...like uber pro-Pacquiao. I'll believe it when I read it on something like 8count, East Side Boxing, ESPN, Fight Hype, Boxing Scene...

I agree... they aren't exactly the most accurate place to get news but I am glad they are seriously conisdering fight Hatton instead of Judah.

[Blame Rasho]

I'd much rather Mayweather. That fight could go either way. This one...meh, Pac by KO.

I think most people think this way but... Yeah... Manny by KO or stoppage.

[mattlanta]

If Pacquiao is going to fight anyone, it should be as soon as possible.

I would imagine Mayweather would be the main goal for Pacquiao's promoters, but I don't think it'll be that easy to get the Pretty Boy to un-retire. Most likely Pacquiao will have to fight (and beat) Hatton before Mayweather even steps into the ring with him. That's another thing, although it would make more sense to fight someone before Pacquiao, Mayweather will most likely not do that because I think he's saving just one more fight, and that's it.

I don't think Pacquiao's chances will be high of winning, but there's definitely a chance. Mayweather won't just be able to roll his shoulders against one of the best offensive boxers in history.

If the fight were to happen, it would be #1 vs #1, best defense vs. best offense, and (if Mayweather Sr. trains Floyd Mayweather Jr...) top trainer in the business vs. top trainer in the business. It'll be the fight of the decade to determine the fighter of the decade.

[j127]

Hatton-Pacman has been set for May 2nd. Venue not determined yet, but it's in Vegas.

Ricky Hatton sets May 2nd date for Manny Pacquiao fight

Ricky Hatton will get his dream fight next year when he meets the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton will fight Pacquiao at either the MGM or the Thomas and Mack centre in Las Vegas on May 2 in what could be the biggest fight ever involving a Brit.

Both boxers and their managements will finalise the details before Christmas and Hatton will enter training camp on February 1 after his traditional family cruise.

...

[tigerman]

Is there anyone else? - The Mexecutioner

[Rich Rane]

Is there anyone else? - The Mexecutioner

Pacquiao really doesn't like that nickname. He prefers just Pacman.

[EZ]

Thank god I found this thread...

[Blame Rasho]

Ekk... not so good news.

Pacquiao won't sign; fight called off
By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

Code: Select all

The proposed May 2 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton is off, according to representatives for both fighters.

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who represents Hatton, told ESPN.com that he's canceled next week's planned media tour and will begin negotiating with other potential opponents immediately. Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes Pacquiao, confirmed that the fight is off.

"The fight is off and I instructed [tour manager] Kelly Swanson to cancel the tour," said Schaefer, clearly upset. "It's off and we are now pursuing our other options. That's it. The Hattons called me and asked again if we had a signed deal from Pacquiao and when I said we didn't, they said they won't sit around anymore. They would like me to explore three fights they are interested in."

As soon as Pacquiao finished off Oscar De La Hoya for an overwhelming TKO victory on Dec. 6, attention turned to the pound-for-pound king's next mega fight, a proposed May 2 showdown against Hatton.

Arum and Schaefer quickly wrapped up negotiations and Hatton agreed to a 50-50 split of the revenue, even though he generates substantially more money in British television rights than Pacquiao could ever hope to generate in the poorer Philippines.

Arum and Schaefer shopped the fight to the big Las Vegas casinos. They struck a deal with the MGM Grand and were in talks with HBO and Showtime about a pay-per-view deal.

But all along, there was trouble. Pacquiao refused to back off his demand for a bigger share of the pie. For weeks, they've gone back and Hatton eventually agreed to give Pacquiao a few more points. However, Pacquiao still had not signed by a Wednesday deadline and Hatton and his father, Ray Hatton, instructed Schaefer to pull the plug on the fight.

"Manny decided not to sign," Arum said. "He was unhappy with the terms. So I contacted Schaefer and I told him the situation and he acted accordingly, which means the fight is off. The suits can posture but it's the fighters who have to go in the ring and fight. But I am not thrilled right now."

Schaefer said Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) still planned to fight May 2 and three names they gave him as opponents to explore deals with, in no particular order, were the winner of the Feb. 28 fight between lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, who is retired but has said he would listen to proposals. In his last fight, Mayweather knocked out Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007.

"The Hattons expressed to me an interest in those fights and about doing them in England," Schaefer said. "Ricky would like to fight Mayweather in a rematch in England and I will be meeting with Oscar this week to see if he's interested. The Hattons have expressed an interest for some time in doing a fight at Wembley Stadium with Oscar, so I need to see if Oscar is interested. And I know I can make a deal with the winner of Marquez-Diaz."

Golden Boy promotes Marquez and Diaz.

"The Hattons told me they don't care who it is, they just want to get things locked in," Schaefer said. "They said, 'Whoever you get a deal done with first is who Ricky will fight.' "

Schaefer conceded that if a signed contract from Pacquiao showed up and he had not made a deal with somebody else, the fight could be saved.

"We're going to go and lock in another fight, but if Pacquiao calls in an hour or a day and I don't have a fight locked in, I'll call the Hattons and let them know," he said."But I don't really want to call the Hattons about anything with the name Manny Pacquiao on it because they want to chop off my head. They are pretty upset right now, and I don't blame them.

"What a waste of time and effort and money this whole thing has been. I flew to New York to talk to the TV partners, I flew to Vegas. My time is money. This has just been a wasted effort. I'm just so sick and tired of the games Pacquiao keeps playing and so are Ricky Hatton and Bob Arum as well."

Schafer and Arum have been through this sort of drama with Pacquiao before. It happened when De La Hoya and Pacquiao played hardball on the split of the money for their fight. Pacquiao eventually accepted a 68-32 deal in De La Hoya's favor.

"It's unfortunate and not uncommon for fighters to make these kinds of decisions," Schaefer said. "When you beat the man, you think you are the man. Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and as his co-promoter (with a small percentage) we are proud of him. But he thinks by beating Oscar that he is Oscar and he is not Oscar. It's unbelievable. Manny is losing a huge, huge payday."

Arum said that Pacquiao had not talked to him or trainer Freddie Roach in two weeks, instead insisting that all communication go through attorney Franklin "Jeng" Gakal and adviser Michael Koncz.

"They represented to me that they did everything short of tying Manny up and forcing him to sign to get the deal done," said Arum, who added that he was willing to take money out of his end of the deal to give more to Pacquiao if that would have helped bridge the gap. "It's really as close to bizarre as anything I have ever been involved in. Considering what the next alternative is for Manny, this is bizarre."

One potential opponent, Arum said, is interim lightweight titlist Humberto Soto, whom Arum promotes. That fight would pay Pacquiao a pittance compared to the estimated minimum $10 million to $12 million he would have made to face Hatton.

"I don't know what really happened here but there are two things," Arum said. "One, Manny didn't really want the fight, which I doubt. Secondly, we all know Manny is a gambler, a poker player. He probably figured if he was strong to the end, they would fold and they didn't.

[Ong_dynasty]

I read that..do you guys think, its actually off..or is manny just trying to play hard ball..
I thought a 50-50 split is fair tbh

[Blame Rasho]

I read that..do you guys think, its actually off..or is manny just trying to play hard ball..
I thought a 50-50 split is fair tbh

I think Manny is playing hard ball. He is trying to see if Hatton bluffs.

I guess a compromise would be 60/40 US, 40/60 UK, everywhere else is 50/50...

It would suck if the fight can't be made.