RICKY HATTON’S proposed fight with Manny Pacquiao is under threat, the Briton’s lawyer confirmed on Tuesday.
The fight, pencilled in for May 2 in Las Vegas, has been put on hold with the two fighter’s disagreeing on how the purse should be split.
Lawyer Gareth Williams claimed that promoter Bob Arum had originally agreed to a 50-50 split of the proceeds, but Pacquiao is now insisting on 60-40.
“Ricky brings as much to the table as Manny,” Williams said. “Either it is 50-50 or we’ll consider other options. If that’s Manny’s position, there is no fight.”
Williams added that Hatton could take legal action if the fight does not materialise.
“Our own view is that a fight will take place on a 50-50 basis as per the agreement,” said Williams.
“But, if we are formally told it won’t take place on that basis, we’ll consider our legal options because, as far as we’re concerned, we’ve got a binding contract.
“We got a verbal deal at 50-50 – everything’s moved on on that basis. We were told Bob Arum had the full rights to negotiate on behalf of Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao could fight Floyd Mayweather Jr if the fight with Hatton falls through.
Mayweather is currently retired but was considered the world’s pound-for-pound best fighter before he called it quits.
Mayweather became the first man to beat Hatton in December 2007.
Williams claims that whether Pacquiao-Mayweather would not be as lucrative as Pacquiao-Hatton.
“I can’t see where Pacquiao’s coming from because, without Ricky Hatton, what’s he going to do?” said Williams.
“He’s not going to be involved in a fight that will generate the same income as fighting Ricky Hatton.
“A fight with Mayweather won’t generate the same money because Hatton brings all his fans and UK TV money.
“There’s only so much you get out of a fight in America in terms of gate and you’re not going to get any more out of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight than for a Pacquiao-Hatton fight.
“And, when Hatton fought Mayweather, the crowd was predominately Hatton fans, and when Pacquiao fought Oscar de la Hoya, the crowd were mainly De la Hoya fans.
“Manny is massive in the Philippines, but thousands of Filipinos aren’t going to travel to Las Vegas or pay ?15 a head to watch it on pay-per-view.
“Do they honestly believe Pacquiao-Mayweather is going to do significantly more pay-per-view figures than a Pacquiao-Hatton fight? I don’t think it will.
“But the ball’s in their court. We think we’re being reasonable and we’re not going to be messed about.”
