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What's more important: the honor or the cash?
by David P. Greisman, BoxingScene.com
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Not that they've become complacent. They'll still put in the roadwork and sparring, the crunches and dieting. The more ready they are for the next challenge, the richer they'll become when the next one arrives. As important as winning in the ring has always been, landing the first blow in negotiations is now the same.
Getting the most favorable terms possible on a contract before signing on the dotted line has made the pen as mighty as a left hook to the liver. And it's not just about money. Sticking points have included the size of gloves, the brand of gloves, the weight class, who walks out to the ring first, the size of the ring itself, where the bout takes place, cuts of domestic and foreign television fees and whether Gatorade could be given to fighters between rounds.
Manny Pacquiao's proposed showdown with Oscar De La Hoya reportedly has many of the usual sticking points unstuck. But then a sharp difference in the financial breakdown punctured any hopes that the five-division-titlist Filipino Firebomber would take on a Golden Boy who captured belts in six different weight classes.
De La Hoya, who began his career at lightweight but had been competing at junior middleweight and above since 2001, wanted to be able to jump on the scales at 150 pounds. De La Hoya wanted to wear 10-ounce gloves and get 80 percent of pay-per-view revenue after a certain number of purchases.
He ultimately agreed to fight at the welterweight limit wearing 8-ounce gloves, and to get 70 percent of all revenue in balance to Pacquiao's 30 percent.
Pacquiao had turned pro two pounds below the junior-flyweight limit of 108, going on to capture championships at 112, 126 and 130 and to win titles at 122 and 135. He would be the smaller man between the ropes, but he didn't want to be as out-sized in bankroll. He wanted 40 percent.
Never mind that the terms De La Hoya had agreed to were likely to give Pacquiao twice the paycheck than his previous career-high. It was 40 percent or nothing.
He got nothing.
Floyd Mayweather's latest retirement, announced in June, was speculated to be a negotiating ploy in protest of possible difficulties cementing the terms he wanted for a rematch with De La Hoya. But Mayweather had reached the epitome of financial security with his recent run of pay-per-view performances and he had either referenced retirement or actually called it quits more than once in previous years.
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Despite Pacquiao's superstardom in his native Philippines, the measurable acclaim and popularity he had earned in the United States still translated into merely respectable pay-per-view buy rates against fellow marketable fighters Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales. De La Hoya had long been able to persuade fans to drop $50 for his performances. Against De La Hoya, Mayweather was able to cash in on a percentage of approximately 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, which brought in more than $130 million in revenue. The man who nicknamed himself "Money" then translated the De La Hoya fight into a lucrative knockout of Ricky Hatton, a victory that some 900,000 people paid to see.
Pacquiao would have been taking a chance against an opponent who held a distinct advantage in size. But it would've been a no-lose proposition — he could either come up short against a much bigger man and return to lightweight with little shame or he could topple De La Hoya and capitalize on having struck the Golden Boy.
Instead, Pacquiao is apparently taking a chance on the slate of fighters at and around 135, foes who are quite solid but nowhere near as saleable. He can set up bouts against junior lightweights such as Humberto Soto and Edwin Valero, settle into a deep lightweight division containing Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, or he can set out for junior welterweight and a brawl with Ricky Hatton.
All would bring the seven-digit paydays that have become ideal. Only Hatton, overseas in Manchester, would come anywhere within range of the eight digits Pacquiao could have expected to see on his De La Hoya paycheck.
Pacquiao at least has the fortune of not needing to worry about fleeting fame. Others have negotiated themselves into corners.
Former super-middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy announced his retirement shortly after winning a tough fight against Epifanio Mendoza. He was set to receive $550,000 for an upcoming bout with deposed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, but Lacy termed more than half-a-million dollars "an insult" and said the sport that made him rich and famous was "a very dirty business." Then he quietly came out of his self-imposed exile less than a week later.
Winky Wright had once made a living as an accomplished but relatively underpaid junior middleweight. But in 2005 he translated his wipeout of Felix Trinidad into a profitable campaign at middleweight. After fighting to a draw with then-champion Jermain Taylor, however, Wright issued an ultimatum of purse parity for a rematch and was left on the outside. Since then, he was overpaid for a televised sparring session against Ike Quartey and then disappeared following an ugly pay-per-view wrestling match last year with Bernard Hopkins.
The tactics are nothing new. Sugar Ray Robinson was known to hold up promoters for more money — and he had the sway to get it. But Robinson was regarded as, pound-for-pound, the greatest boxer alive in an era when fighters stepped into the ring far more often, took on more challenges and saw the sort of fame that their contemporaries in this now niche sport would be all-too-fortunate to have. Instead, modern-day fighters have taken on relative obscurity as a trade-off for financial security, taking their battles to the bargaining table for a cash course in negotiating.
Member Comments
Yes Mr . GDK! And the worst part of it is that there are people out htere that are totally buying into this scheme. Many truly believe Manny will be able to stand toe to toe with Oscar and win. Many will pay to see this. I shouldn't be surprised, people pay to see Wrestling! I know one thing, I hope that Manny does kick his butt, then maybe he'll retire to Promoting and go away. Then again his next defense could be Christian Mijares! lol
kleeer29/23/2008 12:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes Mr. KLEER2.. And in this Shamful Event. Not only do i Blame that Cowardly Punk OSCAR DE LA HOYA. And Those Slimeball Boxing Councels and Federations. ( Because they did,nt have to License or OK. A Farce of a Fight like this ).. But I do also Fault that Greedy Numb-Skull, FREDDY ROACH. Mainly - because, As MANNY PAQUIAO,S Trainer / Manager, or what-ever eles?.. A Big Part of ROACH,S Job. IS to look out for The PAC-MAN,S Well-Being?? And Longevity.. Which in this case, because of Money. ROACH, is totally not handling his Responsabilittes.. You know because of his true Warriors Heart and Toughman Attitudue.. I was,nt surprised at all. When the PAC-MAN, Wanted to Accept DE LA HOYA,S Chellenge.. But to Me, it was ROACHE,S Job, to say, Helll No! you Bum.. Go pick on someone more of your own Size, You Coward.. Because The PAC-MAN, has too much of a Great Future. ( Ahead of him ). To risk take unnessisary Punishment. From a Fighter who simply put, is Twice his Size... The Sheer Unfairness of it all, just simply Reeks!..
GDK9/19/2008 10:31:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes, That would be a war Mr.GDK, providing Manny survives this fight With Oscar intact.
kleeer29/17/2008 7:39:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey there Mr. KLEER2, What,s Up Dude!.. How,s it going.. Hey Partner I Totally Agree with You About it should be MANNY ( PAC-MAN ) PACQUIAO - JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ #3.. Instead of that Low-Life Craapp!. Going on, with that Cowardly OSCAR DE LA HOYA.. ( Which i will most definently, BOY-COTT! ).. Peace Bro!..
GDK9/16/2008 13:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
It should be Pacman - Marquez 3 instead of Oscar sideshow 1!
kleeer29/15/2008 6:53:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Good evening evryone. DLH was hyped up by the media simply because he won a medal at the olympics, he doesn't curse, and he is a little lighter than the shade of brown. The most you hear about Oscar is saying that his opponent was a tough cookie. In reality, not every mexican fan is a fan of DLH. Especially when you are screwing the fans of their money in making sorry ass fights. Where is the organizations that sanction this type of crap? But then again, they themselves are making money. I was glad Mayweather retired and the same when DLH stated he was retiring as well. But then again, we get to see these two clowns again, both as promoters. Pacquiao has a chance, I mean did you see Steve Forbes beat DLH face? I saw the DLH/ Felix Sturhm fight and I clearly saw Sturhm win the fight. Evry punch that DLH was throwing, was getting blocked. Did you hear the sorry ass commentating that B- HOp said that DLH won the fight the last 3 rounds. Margarito, move on with the next fight, fight Williams, Clottey, Santos, Mayorga, Hatton, Paulie, etc....
9/11/2008 17:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes, Ljl, Oscar in my book is an above average fighter. He has given boxing fans many entertaining fights and up until this fight, I respected him. Yes I am angry and disappointed because I fell that he could leave the sport that has given him so much, respect and gratitude by leaving under honorable conditions. I can't blame Oscar for making money when there is money to be made. I respect his businessman capabilities. It's his honor at stake here and appearantly it mean nothing to him at all.
kleeer29/11/2008 14:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
whats good boxing guru's, GDK i agree. oscar is, was, and always will be overratted in my mind. i do think that oscar was a better than average fighter. my problem with DLH is the title that some people give him as the best fighter of his generation. i do think that he will be one of themost remembered, but not the best. in all fairness to DLH we should not push all the hate his way. we should bash some of the boxing analyst who built him up to a hype that was not true. like dan rafael, larry merchant, jim lamply and many others. like i said before i don't think DLH is a average fighter, but i know that he is not the fighter that he was hyped to be.
ljl214769/11/2008 13:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
And to address the Title World Class Mr. CRUISERPLATE?... Yes! To Me, that has always been the Key Word!.. Because like i have always said, many time befor.. In my opinion, OSCAR DE LA HOYA Truthfully Never was Legitamately Top World Class?.. I have always said that He was an very Average mostly Over-Rated Fighters. Who through Media and unfar Promotional Hype. Spent Years, Fooling the vast majority of the Boxing world. Into thinking, that He was Something Special??.. When in reality He Never was?.. I unlike Most. For years always asked the Question?. Why is it that this very Average Fighter. Can keep unfairly Demanding and getting Paid. vastly more Money?.. Than all of the other Clearly more Superiorly Champions, in the Sport.. WHY??... That,s why it felt So - Good, to Me.. To hear the Legiondary Boxing Guru, TEDDY ATLAS. Ask the same question that I have been asking for Years?.. Which was Why do DE LA HOYA Deserve all of this Hype and acculades?. When He has never ever really showed that He really ever deserved it.. Because truthfully Everytime! that He, ( DE LA HOYA ) has stepped up. To take on a real Top-Notch World Class Fighter. He, ( DE LA HOYA ) Has LOST!!... So you need to all ask Yourselves. What doe,s World Class really Mean to you??. And how Key is it?.. Since Oviously DE LA HOYA Didn,t really ever need it to get Paid!!... PEACE!!..
GDK9/11/2008 10:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Sorry Mr. CRUISERPLATE, But with all due Respect.. I totally Dis-agree with Your attempted Explaination.. To try to Lessen or Down-Play, OSCAR DE LA HOYA,S. Openly and Shameless Show of Low-Life Cowardess!.. NO!. Mr. CRUISERPLATE, NO! This is NOT! About MONEY!.. The Dispicable Act, that OSCAR DE LA HOYA, is Displaying.. In openly Avoiding, true Top-Notch and very Deserving Champions. Like ANTONIO MARGARITO, JOSHUA CLOTTEY, WINKY WRIGHT, MIGUEL COTTO Or PAUL WILLIAMS.. All The While, trying to pick a fight. with a Little Champion, who at Walking around Weight. He ( DE LA HOYA ) Out-Weighs by at-least 25 pounds!. And ( He has at-least a 5 inch Height and Reach Advantage? ).. This kind of Openly and Unfair Show of Cowardess ( By DE LA HOYA ). IS Unpressident! in the normally wonderful Sport of Boxing!.. Never befor would a supposenly top ranked Fighter. Be allowed to pull this Cowardly Craapp off!.. Just because He don,t want to run the Risk. Of taking on someone more Lagitimately, closer to his own size. And have his supposed Pretty-Boy Face Smashed!.. No! This is,nt and never was, about Making Money??. Never Was!.. Because truthfully No - Matter who DE LA HOYA Would have fought. That Coward! would have Un-deservenly Made big Money.. This is just truthfully about that Shameful Coward DE LA HOYA. Showing his true YELLOW! Colors..
GDK9/11/2008 10:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Mr.GDK. I do feel that Berto should smoke Forbes but Berto hasn't really proved that he should be in the upper ecalon of Current Welterweight Champions in my book. He is young, fast and deserves his props for being where he is but a guy like Forbes will be a good test because he will hit Berto. He is smart and has a good chin. I'm interested in seeing the best that Berto has to offer, I'm just not convinced yet. TonyT,Brownsuga, GDK and many more! Peace and thanks for all the opinions. I learn alot from you Peeps.
kleeer29/10/2008 14:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
And Oh-Yeah.. Mr. KLEER2, eventhough, I do also feel that ANDRE BERTO will totally Smoke STEVIE FORBES.. At-Least they are far more closer in Size.. ( Than The 5 inch height ). And 20+ pounds Walking around, Weight advantage. That the Cowardly DE LA HOYA will enjoy over the Great MANNY PACQUIAO.. At-Least the BERTO - FORBES Fight will be Legit..
GDK9/10/2008 12:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Mr. TONY TONTO, I Totally Agree and Seconds MR. KLEER2 Feallings exactly!.. Because Much as I Also Wish that You could be Right, MR TONY TONTO. On Hoping that MANNY PACQUIAO, Could find a way. To Knock That Shameful Coward OSCAR DE LA HOYA,S Head Off!.. I too just feel that. That is just Wishful thinking, for all of us. Because De LA HOYA knows that. He has finally found someone just small enough. To not be able to seriously match up, to Beat Him.. Someone that dispite OSCAR,S overwelming Size advantage. Will at some point. Try to stand and Trade punches, with him. And then be physically Battered out of there.. So that,s why dispite my total respect and Admirations. For the great and knowledgable TEDDY ATLAS. I don,t see PACQUIAO having a Fair or Legitamte chance of winning this Fight.. And that,s why like Ms. BROWNSUGA and Mr. KLEER2 has stated.. I won,t even bother Watching this Cowardly Set-Up of a Spectacle, either... PEACE MR. TONY TONTO..
GDK9/10/2008 11:38:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I wish that Manny knocks Oscars head off Tony but that is just wishful thinking. Steve Forbes has a better chance against Berto that Manny has against Oscar. I like and respect Teddy Atlas but even Teddy shows better defense that Pacquaio. Oscar hand picked a perfect opponent to exploit and although I think that Manny is great champion at a lower weight class, he is no match for even a honorless , bigger Oscar. Oscar Please go one your merry way after this! TonyT, I hope that your hope turns into reality.
kleeer29/10/2008 10:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
like everyone I am bummed about Pac and Oscar - but since Teddy Atlas said he thinks Manny has a chnace - I have been thinking about it. Teddy saw the fight being a contest where Manny would fight Oscar all over the ring. he also noted Oscar has lost every big fight he has put together.<br />Okay - I still think it is a big longshot, don't wanna pay for it - and I am starting to hope. When I first pictured the fight all I could see was Oscar landing the jab as Manny pursued him around the ring - using his 5 inch reach advantage to keep Manny off of him. But just maybe - Manny can find a way to move and slip and engage Oscar close up and then move out and start all over again. Certainly Manny has a speed advantage. Still, I wonder how Manny will do taking shots from a so much bigger man? Like Brown Sugar I won't pay - but I will hope and if Manny does win Oscar's career will really be over - and then he would cast his long money shadow over our sport.
TonyTonto9/10/2008 9:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Well Mad2008. I totally understand you bieng mad at Oscar just like most of us on this blog are. It certainly does look like he is ducking Margarito and I guess I can understand why he wouldn't want to risk fight someone that could possibly rip him to shreds.lol I would have preferred Oscar just plain retire than to get involved in a spectacle like this fight. Yea I do think that he failed his fans and it's wrong! His word should be honored and it's obvious that his word doesn't mean much anymore.
kleeer29/10/2008 9:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
hi everybody that follows boxing,, i just like to say that personaly am mad that de la hoya got scare of fighting MARGARITO(THE REAL CHAMP),, I had always follow de la hoya , but this time he fail me as a fan!!! he had said that he would fight the winner of MARGARITO VS cotto.. he was already making plans to fight cotto before the fight,, couse he tought that cotto was going to be the winner!!! WRONG!!! now he put MARGARITO on the side and is going after paquiao!! WHY ARE YOU SCARE OF MARGARITO??? IS NOT LIKE YOU HAVENT LOST!!
mad20089/9/2008 21:23:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey there Mr. Lil21476 Hey Dude.. I must also Say that i do truly Agree With You and Mr. TONY T. About totally dis-Agreeing with what Mr. PAULD28 Said about the MMA out Shining the Wonderful Sport of Boxing??. Just Like Mr. TONY T. Said.. I am not really a big fan of MMA or Alermate or Pride Fighting ( Which-ever one, that they want to call it ).. My Feeling on it. Is that most people, who can,t just Box. With Skill and Technique. Need to Resort to doing everything eles. Like Grappling, Kicking, Slamming and Submission Holds. Me i am totally not very interested in all that kind of Fighting?.. Give Me BOXING, Hard Hitting, Fast Fisted, Skillful, Tough, Hard Nose, Great Technique and Ability.. Anyday over having to watch. Guys Grappling around, Slamming each other and Kicking.. And as far as Mr. PAULD28 Saying that the Promoters are no what,s wrong or Hurting Boxing??.. That i Dis-Agree with even More.. First off the Shady Low-Life Promoters are truly one of the Biggest Problem with the Sporty of Boxing.. Them and most of the Screwed up Boxing Federations, and Unfair Media,s.. But dispite all that!.. The Great Sport of BOXING, will Contenue to Thrive.. Trust Me Mr. PAULD28.. Boxing will stay Large and In-Charge!!..
GDK9/9/2008 20:02:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey there my Fellow very Knowledgable Boxing Fans.. Mr. KLEER2, Mr. TONY TONTO, And Mr. LiL21476.. What,s Up People.. Hey TONY T, I do truly agree with you, whole heartedly. That Mr. KLEER2, is truly a Great Calming and Intellectual Asset. To these Boxing Blogs!.. Actually i truly give the upmost Props, to the both of you guys.. And my Fellow very Knowledgable Sister, Ms. BROWNSUGA08, And Couple of Others.. Because i truly do think that all of You. Are Great! when it comes to. Being Intellectually, Caming Clear Thinkin and Fair Minded Assets. To these Wonderful Boxing Sports Blogs.. And i do truly feel Greatful to be able to Share Knowledge with You guys!.. PEACE!...
GDK9/9/2008 19:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
LOL! Tony that's just my personality buddy. I do enjoy this site and try to stay out of anything other than my views on the sport of boxing. By the way, I'm anxious to see to see if Berto can blow out Forbes like you say. I'm not convinced that he is the Bomb yet.
kleeer29/9/2008 18:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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