Cash row scuppers Hatton's bout with Pacquiao

Published on Thursday 22 January 2009 22:08

RICKY Hatton's adviser has revealed that early negotiations are under way with Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr after admitting the proposed showdown with Manny Pacquiao is "dead in the water".

A row over money has seemingly scuppered what would have been a highly lucrative clash for both fighters, with Hatton's camp becoming disillusioned by Pacquiao's claims and walking away from the negotiating table.

While the English light- welterweight champion and his team are now looking at alternative opponents, Pacquiao's stance appeared to soften slightly yesterday as he called Hatton out and urged him to cut out the "middlemen".

The fighters had agreed before Christmas to split the purse equally, but it emerged earlier this month that the Filipino fighter was demanding 60 per cent for the contest, which was set to take place in Las Vegas on 2 May.

Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions, negotiating on Hatton's behalf with Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum, confirmed that the fight was off.

The Mancunian's lawyer, Gareth Williams, said: "It is dead in the water. I've heard a lot of press saying the stumbling block was this 60-40 or 50-50 split negotiation, but I personally don't believe that to be the case.

"My understanding is Pacquiao has been guaranteed the money he has asked for by Bob Arum and for reasons known only to himself, he doesn't want to fight Ricky Hatton."

Hatton's alternative options include a lucrative showdown with faded legend De La Hoya, who nevertheless remains a box office draw, or Mayweather, who retired after inflicting Hatton's only career defeat in 2007, but may be about to return to the ring.

"Oscar is an option and Floyd Mayweather is an option," said Williams. "They are serious options – it's not pie in the sky."

&#149 The British featherweight title fight between Martin Lindsay and champion Paul Appleby, from South Queensferry, in Belfast on 7 March, has been postponed after Lindsay suffered an injury in training.