The anticipated fight between Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and British champ Ricky Hatton has been called off and promoters for both sides aren’t hopeful for a revival – for now at least.
A boxing match between Pacquiao and Hatton was scheduled for May 2, 2009 and was supposed to be held in Las Vegas. The reason for the cancellation was the Filipino player’s refusal to sign the contract due to disagreements on how revenue from the fight would be split.
The fight was original slated to be a 50-50 split between both boxers. Pacquiao was allegedly asking for a 60-40 split in his favor or at the very least a 55-45 division. Hatton’s camp did not budge, but did offer a 52-48 split option, but Pacquiao still refused to take the deal. If the fight had pushed through, each player would have gone home with $12 Million each, maybe even more for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum had this to say about the issue.
“You never say never, but it’s off for now. Hatton’s shopping for a new opponent.”
Arum also said that neither he or Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach was able to talk to the player.
Arum reported that, “Manny refused to sign the contract, and Hatton pulled the plug,” He added. “[Pacquiao] was in the Philippines, and he wouldn’t talk to me or Freddie. He was listening to his own people.”
Pacquiao had recently won a fight against Oscar De La Hoya and is consider the best pound-per-pound fighter in the world today.