Negotiations for the proposed mega bout between future Hall of Famer’s Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao hit a brick wall last week when neither fighter could agree on a purse split.
De La Hoya proposed a 70-30 spilt, to which Pacquiao adamantly rejected, stating that would be a deal “only an up-and-coming fighter would get.”
In talking with EPSN.com’s Dan Rafael, famed trainer Freddie Roach, who formerly trained DLH and who is now in Pacquiao’s corner, Roach offered a solution.
“Let’s make this a real prize fight. The winner gets the 10 percent. That draws interest in the fight and shows that these guys really want to fight each other. People love when something is on the line. Let’s put something on the line. I know both guys like to gamble.”
This proposal was brought to Pacquiao’s advisors, and also relayed to Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Eric Gomez.
“Its something that is very interesting. It’s a different spin on normal negotiations,” said Gomez. “Its something that is very, very interesting. I think that can be looked at. Obviously, the final decision is going to come from Oscar.”
This seems to be a brilliant idea, and could lead to the final issue be ironed out for a December 6 showdown.
In the outset, weight was the issue.
De La Hoya agreed to go to welterweight, 147’s.
Then, it was glove size.
De La Hoya agreed to 8 oz. gloves instead of 10 oz.
The blockade was made when the currency issue was raised.
If all follows suit, this could very well be the biggest and most watched fight of the year.
While most boxing media are displeased with the proposed fight, seeing as how De La Hoya holds massive advantages in height, reach, weight and power, Pacquiao is in his fistic prime, looked sharp in his last fight, where he went up in weight and is years younger and faster than DLH.
While there is doubt in the minds of many, there is none is Pacquiao’s trainer.
“I’ve gotten some flak from people who say I am only doing this for the money,” said Roach. “But I will train Manny for free if we lose. If we lose, Manny doesn’t have to pay me a dime, that’s who confident I am that we beat De La Hoya.”
