I KNOW I promised I won?t write again about any potential Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao clash fight until it?s officially announced, but lately, I?ve been beset by so many queries, so let me just share to you my thoughts.
Recently, things have turned circus-like and it?s gotten to a point where if I chance upon another story about the ?possible? fight, I just ignore it and move on.
Unless it?s an official announcement of the freaking fight, I?m not going to waste several precious minutes reading a piece featuring somebody?s else speculation when I can do the same, and probably do an even better job at it, hehe.
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Like many sportswriters out there, I too have my sources, but they are just as good or just as unreliable- depending on what happens in the next few days-as the next guy?s and so I hesitate at giving you any scoops or leaks.
Guys, it?s down to a guessing game and sorry for the clich?- but your guess is as good as mine.
FACTS. Let?s review certain hard facts that remain immutable when you consider all the myriad factors that come into play in organizing this mega-bout.
First, the money. With the 60/40 split in favor of Mayweather reportedly finalized, what should be taken into account is whether or not that ratio will hold true when it comes to the pay-per- view sharing scheme.
Team Pacquiao may very well agree to the 60/40 split for the purse money, but can theoretically demand parity when it comes to the pay per view numbers.
Then there are the networks. The suits from HBO and Showtime are reportedly still at the negotiating table and when you talk about television, you talk about schedules.Which brings us to the monkey in the wrench.
SCHEDULE. Remember that Pacquiao (or most fighters for that matter) ideally needs or prefers an 8-week training camp. Anything less would render him ill-prepared.
Conversely, an extended camp is also not ideal as it would result in over-training.
Remember also that fighters have to do an extended tour to promote the fight after it is announced and before they report for training camp.
So if the fight is tentatively scheduled on the first week of May, then Manny has to report for camp on the 1st week of March.
With 28 days in February 2015, March 1 is only 19 days away. Hardly enough time to promote a fight of this magnitude properly. In fact, Bob Arum has been quoted complaining that the May date is not anymore feasible.
So who the hell came up with this May 2 date anyway? Floyd Mayweather himself.
Way before the so-called negotiations became more resolute, Floyd made an unofficial announcement that he was fighting on the Cinco de Mayo weekend, which is traditionally a big boxing weekend for the Mexican community.
Remember also that dating back to 2009, Floyd has fought exclusively either in May or September only or both. Consider the following schedule:
Sept 19, 2009 vs. Juan Manuel Marquez May 1, 2010 vs. Shane Mosely Sept 17, 2011 vs. Victor Ortiz May 5, 2012 vs. Miguel Cotto May 4, 2013 vs. Robert Guerrero Sept. 14, 2013 vs. Saul Alvarez May 3, 2014 vs. Marcos Maidana Sept. 13, 2014 vs. Marcos Maidana
Unlike Floyd, Manny has been more flexible when it came to schedules, but when you consider that it?s Floyd who has been calling the shots lately, we can expect this to be a focal point in the discussion.
Given his bizarre antics reported in the media lately, I would not be surprised that the hold-up will be one of his superstitious beliefs about fighting on a different month in the calendar.
Yes, all that voodoo sounds gibberish but remember, I promised I could speculate better than the rest. .
Personally, I?m very optimistic that the fight will happen this year. But May might be too early.
LAST ROUND. It?s on my late father, Atty. Froilan V. Quijano who would have turned 79 last week. I know you still read my columns dad. Cheers and Happy Birthday.
