Recent developments in the proposed May 2nd showdown between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao have taken yet another twist in what appears to be an ongoing monetary dispute.
The ebb and flow of negotiations have seen many rifts from the point in which the two parties initally went public with what was said to be a written agreement.
A once thought to be agreed upon 50-50 split was later disputed by the Pacquiao camp, only to be publicly cleared by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, then once again disputed, only this time by the 'man' himself (Manny Pacquiao).
According to reports, the Filipino phenom feels that after conceding in certain monetary affairs in the De la Hoya showdown, the victory should give him leverage at the negotiation table on several fronts against his next opponent.
The argument from Team Hatton is that the British fan base watching from home will make up a huge portion of the PPV money, thus making Hatton an equal or greater draw.
With neither party willing to budge much, both sides have began to threaten action; The Hatton camp has discussed litigant avenues while the Pacquiao camp seems set on entertaining a potential Floyd Mayweather jr. showdown instead.
Of all the options considered, the one that perhaps makes the most sense is the one that neither side has entertained. That option, agree to a 10% marginal split (55/45), with the winner taking the larger share. What could possibly be better than a scenario where both men get the opportunity to control their own destiny in the matter?
This option makes the most sense because a Team Hatton lawsuit - based on info available - seems unlikely to produce any beneficial returns, and the Team Pacquiao consideration of entertaining Floyd Mayweather jr. presumably won't fare any better due to the fact that Mayweather would bring more leverage to the negotiation table than Hatton currently boast, putting him in position to ask for an even greater sum.
Aside from the 'Money' Mayweather sweepstakes, there really isn't much more in terms of mega-fights on the table for either man. Hatton has no available option in the Pacquiao mega-fight magnitude, and unless he plans on sitting out until Cotto finishes with Jennings and Margarito, Pacquiao's options of a mega-fight on that level aren't exactly grand either.
This is a fight that the fans deserve and contrary to the rendition we got back in '07, this is truly a fight that "The World Awaits".
Hopefully ego's and dead presidents won't KO this fight aficionado's dream, but in todays era of money driven politics in the sport, we may all be in for yet another disappointment.
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