Pacquiao/Hatton fight off.

boaz33 · 01-21-2009, 02:04 PM

Just saw on espn that Pacquiao couldn't come to an agreement, and has passed on the Hatton fight. This sucks I was looking forward to this fight even though I didn't give Hatton much of a chance. I wonder who Manny will end up fighting now.

Here's the story.

Pacquiao’s American promoter Bob Arum, exasperated with the Filipino’s changing demands over the last fortnight, had issued another ultimatum to his charge that he had to sign his contract by close of business on Wednesday, but a signed contract from the South-East Asian island of Mindanao, the island of Pacquiao’s birth, was not forthcoming.

“Manny was unhappy with the terms,” said Arum. “The suits can posture but it’s the fighters who have to go in the ring and fight. But I am not thrilled right now.”

Ray Hatton, father and manager to Hatton, said: “We have done everything we could do at our end to make this fight happen. Even Bob Arum has complimented us on our patience. We have been waiting for confirmation of Manny signing the contract for at least nine days, with the rudiments having been in place since before the New Year.”

Hatton Snr revealed that they had “bent over backwards” in meeting the many demands set by Pacquiao’s lawyer in the Philippines, Franklin Gacal.

Hatton Snr said: “The twists in Pacquiao’s demands have been as mystifying for Arum and Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach as they have been for us. Both having been trying to get a word with him, and do not seem to be able to make contact.

“Everyone is baffled. Does he not fancy it against Ricky, in spite of being the favourite going into the fight? We can’t do any more than what we have done. This weekend we will announce the next opponent for Ricky Hatton, because his career must move on. Behind the scenes we have opponent B, C, D and E all lined up. But it has been a baffling couple of weeks.”

There are several theories surrounding Pacquiao, one of which is that, in spite of having been guaranteed over $11 million (£8m) from the fight by Arum, the world No 1 pound-for-pound fighter does not fancy a contest against Hatton’s bustling, aggressive all-action style, and may be talking behind the scenes with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. However, Pacquiao may well lose face within sporting circles in the Philippines, the nation excited about what would clearly be one of the superfights of 2009.

Arum, a veteran of 40 years in the fight game, said: “I don’t know what these people want anymore. If it won’t happen, it won’t happen. I have no idea what Plan B is.”