As the negotiations take a standstill, probably halted by questions on the revenue split of which network would bring the fight to the Philippines, trainer Freddie Roach continued to drum it up in his own little way.
?(Oscar) Dela Hoya isn?t what he used to be, that?s for sure. If Oscar was in his prime, I wouldn?t have taken this fight,? Manny Pacquiao?s trainer told ESPN.com yesterday, a day after the negotiations formally started.
Weeks ago, Roach described Dela Hoya as the ?older fighter (at 35) who could not pull the trigger anymore.? These comments enraged Dela Hoya, who felt disrespected and challenged.
?Manny will see how Oscar pulls the trigger in the ring and Freddie can sit in the corner and watch Oscar hit him (Pacquiao),? said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaeffer.
Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, and Schaeffer, Dela Hoya?s representative, met for two hours Wednesday in LA, and will sit down anew on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
They both described the meeting as cordial and productive, and that there was very little concern regarding the time and place of the fight, the weight limit and the size of gloves to be used.
As it is, the fight is set on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the weight limit pegged at 147 lbs or welterweight. The gloves at 8 oz or 10 oz shouldn?t be a problem, either.
It?s the revenue split which may require the negotiators a lot of time to work on.
Initial reports said Pacquiao was being offered $20 million with nothing more to get from the pay-per-view sales, but that the Pacquiao camp wants more, including shares on the PPV.
The TV rights in the Philippines, a looming battle between fierce rivals ABS-CBN and GMA-7, pose another big question.
Dela Hoya has ties with ABS-CBN, which has the rights to air his fights in 2008, while Pacquiao is hooked up with Solar Sports, which is involved with GMA-7. This touchy issue hasn?t been tackled yet.
Reports also said Dela Hoya is offering Pacquiao a 40-60 split of everything ? of course in favor of the former Olympic champion, the undisputed king of pay-per-view.
?If they give Manny forty percent of everything, and not thirty percent, then it?s on,? said Pacquiao confidante Wakee Salud.
?Manny cannot make this much money if it?s not Oscar he?s facing. I think that goes the same with Oscar. But it can?t be fifty-fifty. Oscar dela Hoya will not agree to that,? he added.
