Optimism is admirable and money talks, but realism is where it?s at, even if it causes one to squirm uneasily?
How much printer?s ink, or the digital equivalent of printer?s ink, has been spilled on the non-negotiation between the respective camps of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather?
Much is being made of the fact that Pacquiao has agreed to his promoter Bob Arum?s terms for a fight with Mayweather. He has agreed to a 60/40 revenue split, which sounds reasonable on its face.
But there is one (at least one) small problem.
Mayweather has said that the 60/40 split he originally proposed was before Pacquiao lost to Timothy Bradley and was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez and is no longer applicable.
Maybe Arum missed, rather than chose to ignore that statement, but the seemingly equitable split means zip insofar as the prospective fight is concerned.
Manny may agree with his promoter?s terms, and if so that?s great. But it takes two to tango and if Mayweather doesn?t agree, what exactly are we left with?
Nichts, nada, nothing.
Mayweather hasn?t responded to the offer he has already publicly rejected, which is no surprise. What, aside from wishful thinking, makes anyone think he has changed his mind?
Even Arum the eternal optimist told Arum told Brad Cooney of 8Countnews.com. ?Pacquiao signed off on everything, and we are ready to rumble. I can?t say the same for the other guy, but that?s not my job. The people representing the other guy have to deliver him, and that?s what we are waiting for.?
The wait may be longer than waiting for Godot.
?I?m not trying to force anybody?s hand,? Arum told Yahoo Sports. ?I?m just saying, ?Hey, we?ve agreed to everything, period. The people we have talked to on Mayweather?s side have agreed to everything. Now we need Mayweather to step up and say, ?Yeah, I?m on board. I agree.??
Mayweather won?t let Arum dictate the terms, especially stale terms that he has already rejected.
Manny may agree with his promoter, which is news if you want to believe it, but Mayweather has not, and if history is any guide, will not be so compliant.
Optimism is admirable and money talks, but realism is where it?s at, even if it causes one to squirm uneasily.
