
| Manny Pacquiao AFP FILE PHOTO |
LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao says the pieces were falling into place for a world title fight with Floyd Mayweather until the American boxer tried to low-ball him on the split of the pay-per view revenue.
Pacquiao said he called Mayweather personally to try to broker a deal for a world championship fight and thought they had an agreement until Mayweather brought up the pay per view.
Mayweather said he would give Pacquiao a $40 million lump-sum payment if Pacquiao agreed to let Mayweather keep the pay per view earnings for himself.
“It was embarrassing to me,” Pacquiao said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). “He was trying to take advantage of me. It is clear he didn’t want to fight.”
Some experts have estimated that the pay per view could be around $160 million.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have tried several times to get a contract signed but it has been scuttled for a variety of reasons, including disagreements over blood testing and the share of the purse.
“I called Floyd and told him that we need to make this fight happen,” Pacquiao said at The Beverly Hills Hotel. “I said he could have whatever he wants, blood testing, 50/50 split and he said ‘Oh, well. I will give you what you want.’ Then he mentioned the pay per view.”
For now, Pacquiao and the unbeaten Mayweather have lined up other opponents with speculation that the mega fight could happen later in the year if it comes off at all.
Pacquiao is scheduled to face American Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for Pacman’s World Boxing Organization welterweight belt.
Mayweather is set to fight Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto on May 5 for Cotto’s World Boxing Association super welterweight title at the same venue.
Paquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said they are not taking Bradley lightly but it is hard not to get excited about a possible upcoming mega fight against Mayweather.
Bradley was one of several fighters in the mix as a possible Pacquiao opponent after Mayweather fell through.
Bradley boasts a record of 28-0 with 12 knockouts. Pacquiao, 54-3-2 with 38 knockouts, hasn’t lost since March 2005 and is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
But Pacquiao was less than dominant as he struggled to a majority points decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in November.
Bradley and Pacquiao kicked off their promotional tour Tuesday at The Beverly Hills Hotel. They smiled as they posed for photos together and Pacquiao then lightheartedly borrowed a camera and took pictures of Bradley in his boxing pose.
Joking aside, Roach said he expects Pacquiao to be ready to knock Bradley out.
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Top Sports News | Views : 440
By :
JOSEF T. RAMOS CORRESPONDENT

JOSIE Gabuco outlasted Chinese opponent Xu Shiqi to finally hand the Philippines its first gold medal in the Amateur International Boxing Association Women’s World Championships at the Olympic Sports Center in Qinhuangdao in China. Read more
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Top Sports News | Views : 304
By :
JOSEF T. RAMOS
DILIMAN Preparatory School (DPS) collected six gold medals in the second day of the second Sen. Nikki Coseteng Swimming Cup Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Pool. Read more
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Top Sports News | Views : 293
By :
National team mainstays imposed their will in the men’s Open and boys’ Under-19 even as Janel Dihiansan shocked third seed Ma. Victoria Vizmonte in the girls’ U-19 in the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) circuit at the Metro Sports Center in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday. Read more
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Top Sports News | Views : 150
By :
JOSEF T. RAMOS
FILIPINO Dennis Orcollo won the 4th US Open 10-Ball Championship on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) after defeating his fellow Filipinos at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Read more
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Top Sports News | Views : 169
By :
AFP
MUNICH, Germany: Didier Drogba was the hero as Chelsea won a historic first Champions League crown here on Saturday to shatter Bayern Munich’s dreams of winning the title at their home stadium. Read more