Featured

Manny Pacquiao lost out on $100 million by not fighting Floyd

By Michele Emrick

Back in 2009, the world of boxing was clamoring more than ever for a bout between the two biggest stars in the sport.  Unfortunately, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather could never come to an agreement on the fight.  According to Forbes, the loss suffered by Pacquiao was much greater.

The magazine reported that if they had fought then, Manny Pacquiao stood to make $100 million.  While there were efforts to get a deal done, blood testing issues were part of the issues that threw a wrench into getting anything finalized.

The article projected that the fight would have generated upwards of $250 million in revenue.  In initial negotiations, the sides appeared to be close to agreeing on a 50-50 split of the pot.  That would have made Pacquiao’s take somewhere around nine figures for a night’s worth of work.

The projections for a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight were based on what Floyd Mayweather generated in his fight with Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 14.  That fight did 2.2 million buys for a total of $150 million, becoming the highest grossing match in the history of the sport.  Additionally, the gate was $20 million.  According to CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Richard Shaefer, the final tally should be north of $200 million.

While there was a lot of anticipation for Mayweather vs. Canelo, it paled in comparison to thehype surrounding the possibility of Mayweather and Pacquiao.  When negotiations were taking place, they were considered the top two pound-for-pound boxers, as well as the highest grossing fighters by a wide margin.  Floyd Mayweather had never been defeated, and Manny Pacquaio was on a roll, having just dominated Miguel Cotto.

Unfortunately for boxing fans, the fight was never able to come off.  Whether it was the fault of Mayweather or Pacquiao has long been the subject of debate.  Many speculated Floyd was worried about losing for the first time, while others believed that Manny had something to hide from in testing.

There is of course still a chance that the fight can be made sometime in the future.  However, although it will still be a huge event, there is no way it can be as big as it would have been a few years ago.  Also, following a pair of losses to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao would have to settle for a much smaller slice of the pie.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


News

Chisora & Saunders headline Rock the Box 2 Extravaganza at Copper Box Arena

Promoter Frank Warren is delighted to announce that ‘Rock The Box 2’, the next big mulit-title extravaganza at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will take place on Saturday 30th November headlined by stars Dereck Chisora and Billy Joe Saunders, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

The Hall of Fame Promoter’s hugely successful debut event at the stunning, state-of-the-art, venue earlier this month saw an action-packed show, including Chisora smashing his way to the European Heavyweight title and Saunders defending his British and Commonwealth Middleweight titles in a hard and absorbing battle against John Ryder.

Finchley puncher Chisora, who also holds the WBO International title, returns to action and makes the first defence of his European title against a challenger to be announced.

The 29-year-old is back to his dynamite best and recorded his third win this year.  He defeated Argentine Hector Alfredo Avila in April, followed by a stunning win over the unbeaten American Malik Scott inside six rounds in July, but his total destruction of Edmund Gerber –  pummeling the German from head to body with power shots – was his most impressive yet.

He will be a ringside observer in Moscow this Saturday night for the most important heavyweight fight in recent years that sees WBO/IBF/WBA Super World Champion Wladimir Klitschko against undefeated Russian challenger Alexander Povetikin which is also live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Chisora said, “I said that I would be destroying these guys from now and that’s what I’ve done in my last two fights.  The fans and media know what I can do, this is the new Del Boy and this time I’m on the road to win the world heavyweight title.  I love fighting at the Copper Box Arena and this is my new home.  Whoever I have in front of me on November 30th is getting destroyed.”

Hatfield’s Saunders puts his British and Commonwealth titles on the line against a challenger to be announced, but will he will be going all out to win the prestigious Lonsdale Belt with a successful third defence of the title.

The 24-year-old has had a sensational year so far defending the British and Commonwealth titles against Matthew Hall in March and claiming the unbeaten records of Gary O’Sullivan with a masterclass performance to capture the WBO International belt and tough London rival Ryder to defend both belts.

His fantastic achievements were recognised by the Boxing Writers’ Club who nominated him their Young Boxer of the Year award to cap a memorable September for the young star.

“To say this year has been the best of my career would be an understatement.  I couldn’t have wished for a better one, but it’s only going to get better and bettter.  I’m producing the best boxing of my career, I’ve defended my British and Commonwealth titles, I’ve beaten two unbeaten fighters in O’Sullivan and Ryder, I’m still unbeaten and I’ve been won the Best Young Boxer of the Year award.  But the year isn’t over yet and I’ve got the chance to win the Lonsdale Belt outright at the Copper Box Arena which will be end the year perfectly.” Said Saunders.

Two further title fights will feature on the show with the new Southern Area Super-Featherweight Champion Mitchell Smith returning to action and making the first defence of the title that he won last month, plus unbeaten Bradley Skeete steps up to challenge former British Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes for the Vacant English title.

A quality stacked card sees the return of two London fighters, each with a huge fan base that will again get the Copper Box Arena rocking.  Enfield super-middleweight sensationFrank Buglioni looks to maintain his unbeaten record and stay on track for his first title shot, while Islington sensation Georgie Kean, who made his long awaited debut last month, returns for his second professional fight.

Completing the card will be Wembley welterweight Gary Corcoran, Chingford super-middleweight Tom Baker and Islington lightweight Joey Taylor.

Tickets for Rock The Box 2 priced at:

£40 (Upper concourse)

£50 (Lower seating bowl)

£70 (Floor)

£120 (Ringside)

Are available from Eventim Box Office on 0844 249 1000 or online atwww.eventim.co.uk

Frank Warren
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Latest

To Top