Richard Schaefer, C.E.O. of Golden Boy Promotions, took time from his busy schedule this afternoon to discuss Manny Pacquiao?s decision to remain with Bob Arum?s Top Rank Promotions. Schaefer believes that Golden Boy will ultimately win the legal proceedings regarding the promotional rights, but would still like to offer Manny the opportunity to fight Marco Antonio Barrera at a 50/50 purse split.
?Arum has offered Barrera 2.5 million dollars for a fight with Manny, which is interesting, since Golden Boy Promotions holds the promotional rights to both Manny and Barrera. We are sure that our rights to Manny will be up held in a court of law. While that situation plays itself out, we offer Manny the opportunity to fight Marco on March 17th, 2007 on H.B.O. pay per view, with the purse being split 50/50.?
Schaefer mentioned that if the fight went to a purse bid, Manny would find himself on the short-end of a 75/25 split, since Barrera is the reigning W.B.C. Super Featherweight Champion. I would have to disagree on this point, as in the past, contenders that draw revenue to an event have earned more than the mandated 25 percent.
Any court case involving the rights to Manny will not be decided by the proposed March 17th date, thus Schaefer would agree for the promotional earnings from that fight to be placed in an escrow account to then be awarded to the rightful promoter, only after the courts have made their ruling.
What about the rumors of a fight between Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez as a back-up plan in case Barrera v. Pacquiao cannot be made?
?We have discussed it with our contact for Marquez, Jaime Quintana. It is a possibility,? said Schaefer. Quintana is the President of Romanza Promotions, Marquez?s co-promoter, along with Golden Boy Promotions.
If the fight with Barrera and Pacquiao is made, Schaefer made it clear that Marquez has the possibility to fight unification with Chris John, or even possibly move up in weight for more intriguing match-ups with Joan Guzman, Jorge Barrios, or even Jesus ?Matador? Chavez. Since Oscar Larios, promoted by Golden Boy, is the number one contender to the W.B.C. Featherweight Champion In Jin Chi, there is the possibility for Marquez to fight the winner of that future bout.
