Bad Left Hook reports that Floyd Mayweather will take on Miguel Cotto on May 5th in Las Vegas. Apparently, the negotiations with Manny Pacquiao broke down as the once dreamed of Superfight may never happen.
Its rumored that Pacquiao will take on Timothy Bradley in June. Prior to Bradley, Cotto was a candidate for Pacquiao but the parties broke off talks after they could not agree on a fight weight.
The May 5th fight was contingent on Mayweather receiving a license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Surprisingly (sarcasm), the NSAC granted Mayweather a conditional one day license provided he stay out of trouble.
We last reported that Mayweather called Pacquiao an offered him a flat fee of $40 million to fight on May 5th. Bob Arum countered with $45 million flat to Floyd. An obvious return sling of mud for the initial perceived low-ball offer. Finally, the Pacquiao camp stated they offered Mayweather $50 million plus a 55-45 split on PPV revenue to the winner.
Payout Perspective:
Instead of one major superfight with an extremely huge potential payday, we get two good fights with good, not great paydays (relatively speaking). Neither of the fights will garner the mainstream appeal and attention that Pacquiao-Mayweather would receive but Mayweather-Cotto should be an interesting matchup. Also, the fights will not garner the amount of money Pac Man-Money would have drawn.
Bradley doesn’t deserve a shot at Manny. He ducked Amir Khan, something that in MMA would lose you every fan you have but in boxing you can get away with. Then he fought a completely shot fighter in Casamayor which was again something you can’t get away with in MMA if you consider yourself a top fighter but in boxing it apparently earns you the right to fight Manny for millions of dollars. Or as Bradley put it winning “the sweep-stake to fight pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao for 7.5 million dollars”, good to know where his head is at. I think he made over $1M to fight Casamayor, which is heaping disgrace upon disgrace. I don’t begrudge a fighter the right to make the biggest paycheck he can, but when that leads to ducking certain fighters and lining up cans to crush it’s bad for the sport.
Peterson should have been give the chance to fight Manny. I know Bradley is better, but Peterson shows up against anyone. He fought Amir Khan, he fought Victor Ortiz, he never backs down and he’s come from behind to win. He’s never ducked anyone, hence he’s not undefeated (ditto Amir Khan). Too bad that’s not considered a virtue in boxing these days.
I wonder if against someone of the PPV stature of Manny the referee will finally take action against Bradley’s persistent headbutting.
As for Mayweather-Cotto…are the promoters confused? Cotto is Puerto Rican, not Mexican. What happened to Canelo?
Diego,
Re: Bradley. I was thinking the same thing. Also the headbutting thing is something that I know Pac will have to be weary about.
If Victor Ortiz wasn’t ready for a primetime fight, Canelo wouldn’t be ready. Cotto will be an interesting fight though. I think he’s done well for himself since losing to Manny.
Cotto may be better, but a May 5th card is screaming for a Mexican fighter. I expect another boring fight. Cotto can tend to back off when hurt, and Mayweather isn’t one to give chase. PBF will do just enough to win each round and Cotto won’t press him once he gets countered a few times.
At least Bradley likes to come forward. That could be a fun fight, although I don’t expect it to be competitive.
Ithink Cotto has the size and pounching power to defeat Mayweather.This will destroy any superfight between Manny and Mayweather.