Pacquiao OK to earn less vs Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – No excuses.

When he was in the United States to promote his fourth fight against Mexican archrival Juan Manuel Marquez, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao said he would fight undefeated American fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr next.

Pacquiao also made it known for the first time in public that he was willing to agree to any of Mayweather’s demands including a smaller purse split. The 8-division world champion added that he is also okay with Mayweather’s request for Olympic-style drug testing.

In two separate interviews with ESPN last week, Pacquiao agreed to a 55-45 split with Mayweather getting more of the purse, despite initially demanding a 50-50 split as the only way he would fight Mayweather. Earlier, Mayweather had offered Pacquiao a flat rate of US$40 million not including pay-per-view earnings that could easily reach at least another hundred million dollars.

The fight against Pacquiao and Mayweather, if it were ever to happen, would be the biggest fight in the history of the sport.

Fans have been asking for the bout since late 2009 but negotiations first fell through due to a disagreement on drug testing.

Mayweather, who has continously accused Pacquiao of taking performance-enhancing drugs without any evidence, had asked for random drug testing to make the fight happen. Pacquiao refused it at first, then later agreed to Nevada State Athletic Commission style testing. Now, Pacquiao is open to getting tested anytime, even up to a night before the fight.

“I don’t know what’s the reason why that fight has not happened,” he was quoted as telling ESPN. “I told him I agree with 55 and 45 (split).”

‘Mayweather will decide’

Mayweather has so far kept quiet following Pacquiao’s statements.

His adviser, Leonard Ellerbe however, told the Los Angeles Times that Pacquiao’s agreement to Mayweather’s terms doesn’t change anything.

“Manny Pacquiao can’t tell Floyd Mayweather [expletive],” Ellerbe told the newspaper, adding that Mayweather would dictate the terms “if and when” the fight happens.

Ellerbe also called Pacquiao’s statements while on tour an “amateurish [and] transparent” way to promote his Marquez fight.

Mayweather has no plans to fight this year following his stint in jail for domestic battery charges, while Pacquiao will first need to do his job and defeat Marquez. If the fight were to take place, it is unlikely to happen in the first half of the year, with Pacquiao looking to run for Sarangani governor in 2013. – Rappler.com