From what I?ve learned about the art of negotiation within boxing, it all comes down to posturing and flexing in order to receive what one wants.
When I refer to ?flexing?, I?m pointing to the past figures of what one has accomplished in terms of revenue generated and interest garnered by the masses. Ricky Hatton has what most fighters today lack and that is a massive, loyal following that will actually fill the stands to see him lace up the leather.
He?s drawn over 50,000 live spectators at the M.E.N. arena in Manchester, England and tens of thousands of Brits have invaded Las Vegas in order to support their beloved son. This gives ?The Hitman? plenty of perceived leverage when it comes to the negotiating table.
This is why I propose the fact that should the Pacquiao-Hatton deal fall through due to a disparity in terms of percentages, Pacquiao should avoid Las Vegas in order to further his future leverage when it comes to mega bouts. While a packed house in Sin City can draw a maximum of about 19,000 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center, major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco house facilities that far surpass that figure.
The San Francisco Giants play at AT&T park which accommodates over 42,000 fans in the stands.
If seating is added on the field that number jumps up to well over 50,000 potential live viewers.
Being that the San Francisco Bay Area has such a dense, high population of Filipino supporters, there is no other location within the United States that makes more sense for Pacquiao to perform his craft of bludgeoning opponents into submission.
The bout that would provide enough intrigue in order to draw a high level of fan frenzy would be a bout with none other than ?El Inca? Edwin Valero.
Some might say? ?Nobody outside of hardcore boxing fans know who he is!?
I retort? ?You could say the same thing for literally everybody from 135 to 147 outside of maybe Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
In my not so humble opinion, Valero is a boxing promoter?s dream being that he has the record that looks intimidating as well as possessing a persona that when given the opportunity, shines above and beyond what most boxers exude today. The Venezuelan bomber is an extremely confident fellow that would play up the bout as it should be done.
He?ll degrade Pacquiao and drive all of the Pac-maniacs into a fistic frenzy with his antics.
What?s that?
He doesn?t speak English?
That?s what translators are for. Not to mention that the SF Bay Area and surrounding areas house a huge population of Hispanic fight fans.
Margarito is fighting in Los Angeles.
Diaz is fighting in Houston.
It?s time that Pacquiao shows the world how strong and loyal his following is by fighting in San Francisco.
The effect will be two fold.
Not only will it create much more room to negotiate for future events but it also might capture the attention of multiple mainstream media outlets being that it is a true rarity for anyone to be able to draw over 50,000 spectators to watch them perform anything.
Make Pacquiao-Valero on regular HBO at AT&T Park in June of 2009. While we all know that Top Rank might not have the cozy relationship that Golden Boy Promotions might have with HBO, I don?t think that the ?Heart and Soul of Boxing? would be that stupid to not capitalize on the guy who just beat up the biggest former star within the sweet science.
What was the figure put up for Margarito-Mosley? Over $3 million? Pacquiao-Valero can surely be made for four and some change wouldn?t you think?
Press conferences could take place in Sacramento, Berkeley, San Francisco, Daly City, San Jose, and Fremont.
There, I gave you the formula on a silver platter?
