(AP Photo)
Despite the fact that negotiations are said to be going well between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. there are still numerous obstacles to the fight ever happening.
Just about every aspect of the fight is still up in the air at this stage, with no official date, venue, purse split or under card having been publicly addressed at this stage.
Some believe the fight will go ahead in March, although there are concerns about this date from Freddie Roach. Others think that a date later on in 2010 will be more likely, giving Pacquiao a chance to campaign in the upcoming May elections in the Philippines. There is also an ever growing third camp who believe that the fight will never happen, largely due to some or all of the obstacles listed below getting in the way of an agreement being reached.
Below are the potential problems that the bout will have to deal with, ranked in terms of how likely they are to increase the chances of the bout being scrapped altogether.
Purse Demands
Manny Pacquiao has reportedly said that he wants a 60/40 purse in his favor for the fight to go ahead, which comes after Mayweather and his representatives from Golden Boy had apparently come to agreements with Top Rank over the purse. The agreed to amount has yet to be disclosed, but it was likely a 50/50 split. Whether Mayweather will accept the lesser share of the purse is unlikely to say the least, particularly after all his grandstanding over wanting the bigger share for himself.
Of all the possible problems that this fight could encounter, stalemates due to purse arguments are the most likely to scupper the whole thing. Before the fight many people assumed that it wouldn't go ahead because Mayweather would demand the bigger purse, although now it appears Manny is doing the same thing. At least this time Mayweather should be able to avoid most of the flack if the fight doesn't happen, given that many thought purse demands would be his way of ducking out of the fight.
Threat rating: 5/5
Manny with his congressional registration papers (AP Photo)
Political Machinations
Obviously Manny Pacquiao's political career is something of a stumbling block, mainly due to it effectively marking a third of next year off the calender for fights. Most Filipinos I've spoken to about this seem to be rather skeptical about the whole thing, and believe Manny will taint his image by getting involved with the decidedly dirty and dangerous world of Filipino politics.
In reality, how well his political career goes isn't much of a concern to the boxing fans, other than the fact that it will make scheduling fights a lot more difficult. Not to mention that should he lose people will assume he could not focus properly for the fight due to his other obligations.
The early odds are that Pacquiao won't win the election he has entered anyway, partly because his opponent is very powerfully connected and partly because people want to see him box rather than govern. Whether that will lead to him boxing for longer though we will have to wait and see.
Threat rating to the fight happening: 4/5
Roach in trouble? (AP Photo)
Legal Battles
The trainers of both fighters, Roger Mayweather and Freddie Roach are facing legal action in the near future, both for allegedly assaulting people. Mayweather apparently attacked a female boxer in a property he owns and Roach apparently pushed a reporter and threatened to kill him.
Mayweather's troubles are apparently based on the fact that he was jilted as a trainer by the female boxer he attacked, who was living in an apartment he owned at the time. The exact truth of the matter is difficult to ascertain as both parties contest the others version of events, but in either case the situation appears to have been senseless and wholly unnecessary.
The Roach incident came after the reporter wrote a story about Roach missing a training session for one of his fighters due to poor health. Roach, who suffers from Parkinson's was seemingly not happy about this, and now faces a lawsuit for substantial damages. No doubt the writer in question will make the most of the fact that Roach is a former boxer and downplay the fact that he has Parkinson's disease and some days can't even hold up a pad.
In a worst case scenario Roach could be embroiled in a legal battle while Mayweather languishes in prison before the fight. What will happen if neither fighter has access to their preferred trainer is a matter of speculation, but it would surely affect the fight outcome to some degree. Floyd has probably by now gotten used to members of his family being in prison, given that his father and uncle (both trainers of his through various periods) both seem to be incarcerated regularly. Manny Pacquiao on the other hand seems to rely on Roach to come up with game plans for his fights and to take charge in the gym.
Threat rating: 2/5
Injuries/Training time
Freddie Roach has said that a March date is too soon for Pacquiao to take another fight. He still has a broken eardrum from the Cotto fight and deservedly wants to take some time off before he hits the gym once again. Mayweather is seemingly ready to begin training now, but if the fight is held off until later next year he will probably take another fight between now and then. Depending on how difficult that fight is (rumors are Matthew Hatton is being considered, so it shouldn't be too damaging) and how close to the Pacquiao fight it happens, injuries are something of a worry.
Another potential problem is that while Manny is busy campaigning for the few months between March and May he won't have time to keep training properly. By all accounts Manny also has the appetite of a small horse, so getting out of shape could potentially be a concern for Roach and team. Usually between fights Manny stays in good shape, but then again usually he gets right back into the gym soon after each bout simply because he likes hanging out in the gym with his team around him.
Threat rating:2/5
Comments
i love boys with big eggplants betw. their legs.
call me at my cell or visit my site www.#1floydfan.gov
Floyd Vs Pacquiao
Have we ever seen a fight like this??
sportzhype16.blogspot.com/2009/12/manny-pacquiao-vs-floyd-mayweather-jr.html
"Floyd has probably by now gotten used to members of his family being in prison, given that his father and uncle (both trainers of his through various periods) both seem to be incarcerated regularly."
yup, these are my idols and i worship them no matter what
i'm a transvestite and damn proud of it
Pacman don't have any fight in mind since he is focused on 2010 Philippine elections. March and May fights won't do! Manny lost last election, so I'm pretty sure his full attention would be geared towards the election on May. Arum and other writers are stupid if they think any fight would push through before June 2010.
#1FLOYDFAN IS NO OTHER THAN BB GANDANGHARI.
PAG SURE OI...WAPAKMAN... JINKEE OR KRISTA? FOREMAN OR FLOYD? POLITICS OR BOXING?
If the fight bwtween the two does not push thru becuase of one of the barriers you cited, it will be Floyd Jr. who will be happiest. He will be avoiding a fight with a boxer that has what it takes to defeat him by stiff Hatton-like KO while at the same time it would appear it was not his fault that the fight will not happen. This is the attitude of the fighter whom Yahoo sports elected as its fighter of the decade. What a shame on yahoo and somebody by the name of Iole. Was he the one who announced to the whole world that Floyd Jr. has come back in a convincing way after defeating the cherry-picked, slowed-down-by-the-additional weight, older and smaller Marquez? And even 50% + 1 of the yahoo contributors voted Floyd as its month's no. 1 best p4p (was it september?) replacing Pacquiao at the top even if he TKO'd DL Hoya in 8thR, KO'd cold Hatton in 2R, and remained undefeated since his lost to Morales. But all is not lost because 48% of the writers voted pacquiao as still the No.1 p4p
The higher a monkey climbs, the more you can see of its ass.
im stupid my mother is a whore
my father rape me..ripping my azz
paco ur right! yahoo sports voted no.1 for gayweather...? how can! pacman is the only 1 pound4pound boxer in the planet
Let us give some leeway for the P4P Champ to campaign this coming election. He has this other battle to win. After he becomes congressman then let the fight GO. Anyway its only the delay of the greatest battering of Mayweather. Watching past Mayweather fights, He does not stand a chance to win against Pacman unless he carries a gun in the ring.
freddie roach is right in assessing pacquiao status of health due to injury, think twice, mayweather will take advantage of your injury by hitting it repeatedly until you drop. that is now your weakness point that mayweathers camp looking up, you have to see to it that your injury is now in full recovery cause it will affect your senses in your fight. im your fan manny, a concerned fan, as your glory is the pride of all filipinos. think of it twice..
I really need your support not only for boxing but also for my candidacy, i cant really push you hard as i can, to let you vote for me. its really up to you.. i just really need to help people here in Saranggani.. Nothing more, I just need to help more to all the people here.. Think about it.
"MANNY For Congressman"
For Total Change!
I'll have to admit, this whole process is somewhat of a joyride and I'm starting to like it...
Therefore, let's make the most out of it before Manny leaves the sport and boxing becomes dismal again.
ON GUARD YOU JOBLESS, MAY NUTHUGGERS!!
Would somebody please mention the true nature of pac's ear injury? Roach keep mentioning ear drum but some said it is only cauliflower.
MANNY FOR CONGRESSMAN.... "NO" !!!
MANNY FOR BARANGAY CAPTAIN... "YES"!!!
Another white boy Pacquiao nut hugger without anything else to write about. You are worse than that Cris Robinson guy. You examiners make me sick.
this is the saddest part of pacquiao's career. he cannot do both boxing and politics at the same time. one has to give in and knowing pacquiao, he do believe he can make both worlds. a very dangerous situation for pac, he cannot afford to make the same approach when he prepares for cotto's fight. no more distractions in the strictest sense, this is the biggest fight, this will make or break his political ambition.
a fight in May ain't doable...so it seems it's between doing it in March or in September.
Krista, could you please help him decide already?
60-40 for manny? thats the right split for multi divission record holder, take it or leave it...
manny for lagas!
mannyng lagas!
"C'mon guys... manny pacquiao done too many sacrifices in boxing for us pilipinos, and now he only asking is too trust him in politics.I know that Politics here in the philippines are very dirty and corupt, and we afraid that manny's name and legacy will be affected by this wrong doing in politics. But only manny's goal is to help his fellow pilipino in his province. why not give him a chance instead of those businessman and traditional politician who is reigning so many years in our country and not making any improvements. Try new ones! Give Manny Pacquiao a chance to lead his province in the congress.
or let gaywdr fight 1st those other best boxer in the wltrwght, if he wins convincingly then face manny...
Pacquiao never said he wanted 60-40. That came from Roach, but he also said that 50-50 gets it done. How come you fail to mention that Floyd's camp is asking for 60-40?
i dont want to fight anymore i have nothing to prove the boxing world i conquer them all let mayweather fights either cotto or mosley.. adios patria adora region del sol querida. buenas suerte a todos
thats my opinion, 60-40 for multi divission record holder
for politics career: Manny for Mayor instead of Congressman because M(Manny) near from M(Mayor) and he is fit to that position.
In boxing career: Pacman deserves 60/40 or even 70/30
synetrixlypse, where did you get this name?
march 13 fight won't favor much of manny, considering the lenght of time from his last fight.july or august might be a good time frame to consider. but it would look like that mayweather is just up to a waiting, but it shouldn't be the perspective as to be fighting fare and square.manny should fight floyd at exactly 147 limit.both fighters should prepare to be at there best and only a fight without a gobbling reason will detertime the best fighter.boxing fans like me expects performance rather on a menacing alibis.march 15 is all but hamper to manny, and obviously will not make floyd to be fare.march is a perfect tune up much for mayweather if he choses to and by then he should rest a while a got back on training and he can dictate which dates he wants and pacquiao definitely will oblige.
if arum would insist on march 13 i simply look at him to be realistically inclined to how much is at stake but not preserving manny's reputation. bob best promotes manny no one else can do better.
Paquiao already agreed to fight floyd the bigger problem will be on floyd side again...
50-50 is fair for the two fighters. There is no one left for Pacquiao to fight that will have the same draw or the same PPV as fighting Mayweather. Mayweather is still an unbeaten champion despite Pacman's dominance. If they wait until later in 2010 then momentum dips and the fight might never happen. If these 2 don't fight it's a disservice to the sport. Whoever wins this fight enters the hall of fame, and becomes a legend. Who would pass on that chance?
Both needs each other to stage the biggest fight and money in history !50/50 is the right thing to do and both knows it because fighting rather than themselves will not produce their biggest paycheck .
MANNY DOESN'T HAVE ANY BACKGROUND IN POLITICS AND DOESN'T HAVE THE APTITUDE TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW. ALL HE HAS IS HIS BILLION PESOSESOSES! NOW REALLY... THINK ABOUT IT! WHAT WILL HE DO WHEN HE SITS IN CONGRESS??? WHEN YOU PASS A BILL TO MAKE IT A LAW, YOU'LL BE SUBJECT TO A DEBATE... DO YOU REALY THINK THAT HE CAN DEBATE WITH THEM SEASONED POLITICIAN THERE? EVERYTIME HE FIGHTS AND BEING INTERVIEWED... AL I'M HEARING IS THE SAME OLD LINE " I'M JUST DOING MY JOB...TO MAKE THE PEOPLE HAPPY" CRAP! HE IS THE WORST SPEAKER I'VE SEEN. BUT IN FAIRNESS TO MANNY HE'S TRYING TO LEARN THOUGH... BUT IN POLITICS... IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT! YOU HAVE TO DEFEND YOUR CAUSE AND IF YOU CANNOT EXPRESS YOURSELF, THEN YOU'LL BE USELESS THERE IN CONGRESS! HE MIGHT JUST BE USED OR BECOME A PUPPET OF THE SHARKS THAT SURROUNDS HIM.
BOTTOM LINE IS, ELECT SOMEONE THAT IS REALLY QUALIFIED!!!
i'd rather VOTE for Manny, in congresss.i don't care what people say.okey go for some politician lawyers,economist.engeneers.military personnel.you get nothing from them.they are the real corrupt persons.i mean professional and undergradute in philippines politics it seems no difference.
mayweather is getting all the advantage he can get..pacman should be aware of this roach is right about staging the fight on may instead of march. pbf has been making excuses most of his career, manny should be entitled also if he wants to, one excuse wont hurt hehehe and i believe manny might had brocken his hand during the cotto fight (obvious from the swelling)it will take a lil while for cartillage and bones from recovering fully
i think manny should dictate the terms pbf is a lot of BS
the comelec officials must give way,MOVE THE ELECTION TO JULY!!!!!
the comelec officials must give way,MOVE THE ELECTION TO JULY!!!!!
the comelec officials must give way,MOVE THE ELECTION TO JULY!!!!!
the comelec officials must give way,MOVE THE ELECTION TO JULY!!!!!
Pacfans MARCH 13 is the Fight Paquiao Agreed to fight Floyd "no more talk about Election" Talk about floyd "THE FIGHT IS ON" HALAA KAAAAA FLOYD!!!! DYAN NA SI PAQUIAOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
PACQUIAO has confirmed that he has accepted the fight on March 13 2010! He also told the reporter that FLOYD GAYWEATHER should watch out because his trash talking would be over! I think GAYWEATHER is peeing in his pants right now!
@Chiongbian..we can read alright R U screaming bec youre so scared of losing your Job?U might be right about things but Manny is Manny Pacquiao,The most popular personality in the Philippines You Like It Or Not!!!
if the terms are unreasonable manny should walk out of the deal...pbf is negotiating at 154lbs manny should start negotiating at 140 if possibl, until they meet at a reasonable weight at maybe 147, if manny gets lucky negotiating with pbf he might even pullout a 145 catch weight but pbf just to smart i guess bt we'll never know
all I hear from pacquiao fans are excuses and some attempt to show there dislike for Floyd because he is not honorable like Pacquiao . stupi crap thathas nothing to do with boxing. Floyd will absolutely destroy Pacquiao and when he does get the beating 0f his life all we will continue to hear will be girly excuses. Mayweather will chop him up and March is great and Floyd will be ready and pacman the superhero BETTER BE cause he aint never faced the likes of Floyd Mayweather. Roach knows its the end of the line
Pacman fans have high hopes and that is ok. Floyd will tear manny a new a...... with the right hand lead all night long.You see Mayweather is a born technition in the ring and for manny to have a chance to in he will have to be the absolute very best he can be.Floyd is ready and will be ready in March. Roach knows that his manbetter be ready but does not really want this fight he already has excuses up his sleeve to avoid this 300,000,000 Mega fight.So money talks and Bull.... walks
ron you're such an idiot. funny how you can assume floyd will win. like roach said "they'll grab advantages floyd will give em". even if it's body shots. you know why he said that? floyd always on a head lean back stance with shoulder popping out. and ya know what's gonna happen at the end of the fight? manny won tko in 5th because of a swollen shoulder being hit by pacquiao with power shots. floyd won't be able to use his shoulder anymore for defense and offense. have you tied being hit in the shoulder with multiple fist shots? try it, even once. you'll find out.
this fight would be just common sense. whoever got better stamina wins. if floyd can withstand body shots, floyd can finish the whole 12 rounds, but if not..... god may have mercy on him
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