By Giancarlo Malinconico: With the recent rib injury sustained by Mayweather, the door has opened for a Pacquiao/Mayweather fight in November. There are some hurdles before this fight can be signed, but I believe these obstacles can be overcome to make one of the biggest fights in boxing history. The first of which is the Bob Arum issue: Arum wants Manny to fight Cotto because it benefits him most. He wants to resign Cotto, and he can help his chances by getting him a big fight. Besides, he will be the sole promoter of the fight. No matter who is victorious, Arum wins; both fighters are under his banner.
But Manny has shown he calls the shots, and Manny and Roach want this fight above all else. HBO would obviously want the fight, and Mayweather and Pacman will both be guaranteed at least 15 million. Arum would make a nice chunk of money with this fight, as well.
There is also the Marquez/Mayweather agreement at issue. Marquez can be “compensated” for stepping aside monetarily and/or guaranteed first crack at the winner. Marquez has other options in the meantime: He can fight Mosley at a catch weight (who is also a Golden Boy fighter), or he can take another fight to get comfortable at 140 pounds while waiting for his shot at the winner of Pacman/Mayweather.
The purse split is biggest issue in making this fight in my opinion. I doubt Arum or the Pacman crew will take anything but something in Pacman’s favor. I suggest a 52/48 split in favor of Pacman. The poor ticket sales in the Mayweather/Marquez fight, and the fact Pacman is the Lb for Lb champ, will make it hard for Mayweather to command the bigger purse or even a 50/50 split. But if a 50/50 split or something close to it can be made, neither man would be losing much. Both will make at least 20 million in this fight.
Why does this fight need to happen now? Mayweather/Pacman is the biggest out there with the idea of the current Lb for Lb best fighter in the world fighting the former-Lb for Lb champion who retired without ever losing his title in the ring. It needs to happen now because anything can happen in boxing to diminish the value of an anticipated fight: Mayweather has a boring performance against Marquez, or Pacman falters in his next fight, etc. This fight has something to offer that no other fight can offer fans: it will unequivocally determine who the true Lb for Lb best fighter in boxing is.
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