LOS ANGELES ? Manny Pacquiao?s advisor Michael Koncz and trainer Freddie Roach met on Thursday night seeking ways to convince the Filipino World Boxing Council Lightweight champion to take the offer from Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer to fight Oscar De La Hoya.
“Me and Michael met last night,” said Roach to the Asian Journal, who is in the Bay Area to train Pinay boxer Ana Julaton. “The deal is not dead yet. We?re all trying to talk to Pacquiao.”
Reports earlier this week suggested that Pacquiao?s promoter Top Rank President Bob Arum and Schaefer had all but finalized a deal between the two boxing superstars for a 147-pound welterweight match, using 8-ounce gloves set for December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
However, the deal fell apart during the financial aspect of the negotiations when De La Hoya reportedly did not budge on his across the board 70 percent to 30 percent pay per view revenue split in a fight that is expected to generate more than $100 million in pay per view buys.
Pacquiao, who?s guaranteed purse reportedly would be about three times more than he?s ever made, advised his lawyer to decline the deal.
An ESPN article quoted Schaefer saying, “Pacquiao has an adviser and lawyer, [Franklin “Jeng” Gacal] who basically is caught up in percentages. But if you go buy a car or a house or food do you pay in percentages or in money? The answer is you pay in currency not in percentages. I hope this has properly been explained to Manny.”
According to Roach, Pacquiao is seeking a 35 percent share in the pay per view revenue, while De La Hoya would receive the final 65 percent.
“The 70-30 deal across the board is more money than what [Floyd] Mayweather jr. received in his fight against Oscar,” said Roach. “With a million [pay per view] buys, Manny will make about $14 million. Oscar?s never done less than a million pay per view buys.”
“I really think this fight would do two million buys,” he added.
Roach said that De La Hoya is the main draw. Pacquiao only generated about 200,000 buys in his last match against David Diaz.
Megastar
More importantly, Roach wants this deal to happen because “it will take Manny?s career to a new level.”
“I know Manny can beat Oscar,” said Roach. “I?m really confidant that we can win that fight. I can?t see us losing?In Oscar?s prime it is a different story. He would be too big and too fast. But Oscar?s in the tail end of his career. I hope we don?t blow this opportunity. A win [against De La Hoya] will turn Manny into a superstar.”
A win against De La Hoya would also line up Pacquiao with other lucrative offers.
“Manny would be a mega star,” said Roach. “It opens up the possibility of a Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao bout. It?ll make the Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton match huge. It?ll just put Manny in a way different level.”
Roach said that he?s been trying to get in contact with Pacquiao for the past two days since negotiations broke down, even asking Pinoy WBO Bantamweight boxing champion Gerry Penalosa to call on his behalf.
Pacquiao, who is in the Philippines, has not returned any of their calls, according to Roach.
“I just don?t want him to blow this opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully everyone will come to an agreement.”
