Arum must try this Solomonic solution

MANILA, Philippines—Now, it turns out that the 50-50 split Manny Pacquiao had allegedly agreed to during an initial money discussion with promoter cum laude Bob Arum happened in the discomfort of, sorry Madame, a comfort room.

“Pacman felt the call of nature and took a bathroom break,” Michael Marley wrote in his eternally biting column for boxingconfidentil.com.

“Now you wonder: Will the Hatton-Pacquiao deal go down the toilet?” Marley asked.

The watery conference, he revealed, took place at the plush Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel where Pacquiao, his entourage in tow, honored a dinner invitation.

* * *

On Friday, there were contrasting reports—one saying it’s a go, after Pacquiao agreed to the even split in pay-per-view profit; the other saying Pacquiao is sticking to his demand for a 60-40 sharing, take it or leave it.

It’s odd, but isn’t a boxer only at his best when he does his best and gives everything to the other fellow?

This—generosity—is the core of a worn-out boxing adage which says that, inside the ring, it’s always better to give than to receive.

* * *

Corny. That prizefight quip is as callous as the bunion on Mr. Arum’s Yankee toe.

In fact, the revered promoter ran out of patience after Pacquiao insisted vehemently that the sharing should be 60-40 in his favor.

Arum even threatened to pull the plug, cancel the fight, if Pacquiao didn’t relent.

Arum has also been going around to explain lengthily the fairness and decency of an even split between Pacquiao and Hatton.

* * *

Of course, there’s always something that could be done.

And Arum need not beg for Solomonic wisdom in order to break the impasse.

The solution: Give Hatton his deserved 50-50 split, but only for the profit to be derived from the PPV buys in England.

Outside of Hatton’s sovereignty, Pacquiao should get what he rightly feels he deserves.

If either of the two boxers turns down the solution, Arum need not waste a word.

He should pull the plug, pronto.

* * *

In case they’re wondering, that Solomonic suggestion was not crafted from this typist’s brandy-blurred brain.

It’s courtesy of sportsman Rudy Salud, the founding sec-gen of the World Boxing Council (WBC), whose constitution and by-laws the respected lawyer crafted.

“In the first place, Hatton cannot claim that the enormous PPV buys generated in his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. was realized through his doubtful pulling power,” Salud explained.

If Hatton is indeed that great a draw, Salud asked, why did his fight against Malignaggi get only 200,000 PPV subscriptions?

* * *

Another thing.

Arum can’t pin down Pacquiao and insist the RP boxing superhero had agreed to the initial 50-50 proposal.

As Marley suggested, rather belatedly, Arum should’ve made Pacquiao sign any piece of paper available during the brief, watery conference.

Sorry, but there was no formal manifesto, nothing for Arum to hang his hat on, Marley noted.

The Solomonic Salud solution, needless to say, is as plain as giving Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Neither Don King nor Jose Sulaiman can contest its wisdom.

Source: inquirer.net