So Uncle Bob Arum as I boldly predicted, had to sprinkle some sugar on top for Manny Pacquiao.
My guesstimate is that it was a buck and half that made Pacman laugh, meaning a $75,000 per pound times two yo get the fighter to agree to fight Miguel Cotto Nov. 14 at a weight limit of 145 pounds.
Earlier, I guessed that Packy was angling for a cool $100,000, but, as the Top Dog in the Top Rank kennel, a little bit of barking got Manny the lagniappe, New Orleans lingo for “a little something extra, that he was looking for the whole time.
What is $150,000 on top of a $12 million purse, anyway, other than chump change?
Arum certainly did not want to hear any more growling or rattling of chains by his beloved Top Dog, that’s for sure.
The way Uncle Bob views it, the price of his Northern Italy vacation just went up by $150,000, that’s all.
Besides, I also hear that Manny did not force his promoter to say “pretty please with sugar on top” to him over the phone.
Now there’s Peace in the Top Rank Valley and Bobster can leave the fussing and fighting to Cotto and Pacquiao.
Arum probably thinks the extra “fee” was worth it just so he doesn’t have those bothersome Golden Boys hovering over he and Manny on this promotion.
Now Arum will put the wheels in motion for Nov. 14 with an obvious goal of bettering the Sept. 18 Marquez-Mayweather show in every category.
But this was quid pro quo, Manny got his sugar and Arum got his in house bout.
That’s what you call win-win even if it does not involve Steve Wynn.
