Barely two days after Filipino popular boxer Manny Pacquiao rejected the 50-50 fight revenue sharing offered by the Hatton camp, the world’s best pound-for- pound boxer today announced that he has agreed to fight Hatton on Mat 2, 2009.
Thewest.com.au: ‘The world is looking forward to it, so the fight is on’ the World Boxing Council champion said over local radio
‘I have spoken to Bob Arum, the ‘Pacman’ said, referring to the US promoter who handled his side of the fight negotiations.
However he would not discuss the agreed terms.
Filipino sports website, Philboxing.com quoted Pacquiao confidante Rex Salud as saying the Filipino Superstar accepted a guaranteed $12 million purse and a 52-48 split in the prize money in his favor.
Los Angeles Times: ‘In the latest, unexpected turn in an unpredictable negotiation, Manny Pacquiao’s representatives told the boxing promoter, Bob Arum, that Pacquiao’s signature on a contract to fight Ricky Hatton will be faxed and e-mailed tonight to Arum’s Top Rank headquarters in Las Vegas.
‘Manny has assured me he’d signed the contract, that he is announcing to the Philippines press that he’s signed it, and that everything is done, Arum told the Times Thursday night.
In a last ditch effort to save the contract, Bob Arum had scheduled a flight to the Philippines on Sunday to convince Pacquiao to agree on the terms. With this latest development, Arum will no longer make the long and tiring trip.
The match has been called off last Wednesday after Pacquiao failed to sign the contract which carried a 50-50 sharing of revenues from the fight.
Pacquiao is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles this weekend to watch the Mosley-Margarito match on the 24th.