IF PACQUIAO INSISTS ON 60-40, THE HATTON FIGHT IS OFF
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Jan 2009
If Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao insists on a 60-40 sharing of revenues in the planned May 2 Las Vegas showdown against Britain ?s Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton then the fight is off.
That was the curt response of Hatton?s father, Ray Hatton, in an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports early Tuesday morning, Manila Time.
Hatton indicated he was surprised by the statement of Pacquiao?s lawyer, Atty. Franklin ?Jeng? Gacal that they wouldn?t settle for anything other than a 60-40 revenue split in favor of Pacquiao.
Gacal made the statement in an interview with Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN on arrival from Los Angeles on Monday morning along with Pacquiao and his three children.
Hatton said ?I heard a couple of hours ago that the issue had been resolved? even as Hatton?s lawyer Gareth Williams insisted in a conversation with Telegraph Sport that they ?already had a verbal agreement from Pacquiao?s promoter Bob Arum that it would be a 50-50 split for the contest.?
The Hatton legal counsel made it clear ?we have said all along that that is all we are prepared to do and Arum has agreed to the equal share.?
Ray Hatton pointed out ?obviously Ricky brings as much to the table if not more? than Pacquiao, pointing to the huge TV audiences in Britain and all over Europe for a Hatton fight.
In response to 60-40 demand, Ray Hatton told us ? if that?s the case, well the fight is not going to take place? indicating that Hatton had ?other options? adding ?we can put a fight here against another opponent in May in front of 80,000 people.?
He claimed there were three or four other fighters ?lining up to fight Ricky because that?s where the payday is.?
Hatton?s father said that if the Pacquiao fight is in jeopardy they could ?always take another direction and factor in a gate like that? to make it a truly worthwhile proposition for the British IBO light welterweight champion.
Gacal mentioned the possibility of a Pacquiao fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr should the Hatton fight fall through but the Hatton camp has also claimed that Mayweather Jr had sounded them out on a possible rematch.
Ray Hatton believes that while Mayweather is ?on top of the mix it's not a fight Manny would like because styles make fights? indicating that a Pacquiao-Hatton showdown would be a far better fight and a bigger attraction.
www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports was able to contact Arum late Monday New York time which was Tuesday in Manila and the astute Top Rank promoter said Gacal was ?trying to get a bigger guarantee.?
Arum disclosed he had spoken to Pacquiao?s lawyer and told us there was ?no problem on the split and it will be worked out.?
Arum had guaranteed Pacquiao $11 million for the December 6 megabuck fight with Oscar De La Hoya with Pacquiao taking a 35 percent share to De La Hoya?s 65 percent and still earning a bigger amount than the guarantee because of the revenue from pay-per-view buys of some 1.4 million.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026