Ricky Hatton threatens Manny Pacquiao with legal action

Ricky Hatton's legal counsel has warned legal action could be taken against Manny Pacquiao if the Filipino fighter's lawyers back out of a verbal contract for a 50/50 split from the spoils of their proposed superfight in Las Vegas in May.

Gareth Williams, Hatton's lawyer, had responded through Telegraph Sport on Monday to reports that Pacquiao wanted a 60/40 financial split, insisting the fighters' promoters had agreed before 2008 had ended to share the proceeds – expected to gross £40 million with pay-per-view revenue – equally.

Williams added that "a verbal agreement" had been made by Pacquiao's American promoter Bob Arum. Williams maintained that Arum "had absolute authority" to negotiate on behalf of the Filipino fighter.

Williams said: "We had all this before Christmas when they were talking about different figures and we agreed a 50/50 split with them. So having agreed that with them, we're not going to change our mind."

"As far as I'm concerned, no one has contacted me over a 60/40 split. It was simply put out on the internet. My own view is that if you want to alter a deal, you speak to the parties involved. You don't do it on the internet. It's up to him how he conducts his business but the simple fact is we've got a verbal agreement of 50/50 and that's as far as it goes."

Williams added: "As far as I'm concerned I've got a firm contract that the fight is taking place. As and when I'm officially told that the contract has been breached, then I will do something about it legally."

However, that looks highly unlikely with discussions already under way for a media tour of the UK and USA involving the two fighters. Hatton and Pacquiao are expected to travel together in London, Manchester, and across the United States once the fight is confirmed.

Williams also insists that Hatton's team have already made concessions by agreeing to the fight in The United States, and on the date requested by American cable giants Home Box Office. It is still up for discussion which British network will be broadcasting the contest.

Williams added: "We wanted the fight to be in the UK but we've conceded to pressure from both American promoters and the American TV company [HBO] that the fight should be outside of the UK. In an ideal world we'd rather fight later in May but again we've been told early May is the time to fight."

Source: telegraph.co.uk