Almost as soon as Manny Pacquiao stopped Oscar De la Hoya on his stool last month a proposed fight between Pacquiao and 140-pound king Ricky Hatton was agreed to on both sides of the deal. Unfortunately, it looks as though the fight is indefinitely off due to the money not being right, and it surprisingly is coming from Pacquiao's side of things. A 50/50 deal was supposedly agreed to by all parties involved, but it has been discovered that Manny Pacquiao has insisted on a 60/40 split in his favor. Pacquiao was guaranteed twelve million from promoter Bob Arum for the proposed bout, easily the biggest purse of his career. There is even more money to be made considering the buys that will be done in the United Kingdom as well as the Hatton faithful willing to travel to Vegas for the bout.
Most people don't understand what Pacquiao is thinking, as there is only one fight that could potentially be bigger, one against the currently retired but probably soon-to-return Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Even fights with 147-pound champion Antonio Margarito or a third fight with heated rival Juan Manuel Marquez could not match what Pacquiao stands to make off of the Hatton fight. Even Pacquiao's own promoter Bob Arum does not understand where Pacquiao's head is, calling the move "bizarre".
Where Pacquiao goes from here is anyone's guess. There are many bouts out there that would please the fans that could be put together quickly. Bouts against Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto could be put together in a flash with both fighters also having worked with Top Rank.
Hatton is another story. A rematch with Mayweather, Jr. would only be interesting if it is at the 140-pound limit where Hatton has more of an advantage, and even more interesting if the bout was held in Manchester this time. Hatton's ineffectiveness at 147 in his previous attempt leaves him pidgeon-holed into fighting at junior welterweight for the remainder of his career. A bout against Timothy Bradley or Kendall Holt would be acceptable routes. The main difference with Hatton is that he could get big money for nearly any fight he takes, especially if its at home.
Either way, there are very few fights that could be made that would have excited the general public more than a bout between these two pound-for-pound fighters. It is unlikely that the mess will be resolved.
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