Mayweather Threatening to Pull Out
Geno McGahee of Ringside Report writes that Floyd Mayweather has threatened to pull out of the bout against Manny Pacquiao, tentatively scheduled for March 13th, because of differences in weight allowance.
According to a source very close to the situation, Floyd Mayweather, JR., has threatened to pull out of the March showdown with Manny Pacquiao over a weight issue. Apparently the weight of the meeting has been established, but the wiggle room that Floyd allegedly wants is being contested by Team Pacquiao. In his bout with Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd came in heavy and paid for it financially, but others contend that Marquez paid for it in the ring, losing badly. Pacquiao does not want to face a fighter a division or so heavier than he is and has rightfully protested.
With the Manny Pacquiao bout in limbo, other options have been mentioned but these appear to be negotiation tactics. Reportedly, Mayweather’s camp has suggested that an in between bout would take place in March against a much lesser foe, perhaps a Yuri Foreman or Matthew Hatton and after that, should Pacquiao not accept the terms, a bout with the winner of the Shane Mosley – Andre Berto fight could be in the wings.
Although other options have been mentioned, expect this fight to stay on course and occur. There is far too much money involved and they have agreed on the most important specifics…the cash divide. Now we are in the bickering stage of the negotiations and expect more and more little things blown out of proportion and turned into big deals.
Payout Perspective:
The last thing that boxing needs right now is its next, and possibly last, mega fight to be scrapped due to promotional differences like a weight allowance. However, from an MMA/UFC perspective, the cancellation or postponement of this fight is definitely a good thing. Pacman-PBF is certain to consume an overwhelming amount of the media pie alloted to combat sports in late February and early March, but its cancellation or postponement would leave that media wide open for the UFC to help push its debut on Versus (March 21st) and UFC 111 (March 27th).
The way things are shaping up right now, February and March are looking to be critical months for the UFC as it looks to start 2010 strongly and salvage some of the PPV disappointment its dealt with down the stretch of 2009. The Versus show will be headlined by two young and exciting fighters in Vera and Jones, and the UFC is likely going to look to make an impression for its debut. Likewise, UFC 111 will be headlined by GSP vs. Hardy and possibly Mir vs. Carwin, and is shaping up to be one of the most stacked cards since UFC 100.
Comments