All about the Manny
Thursday 22 January 2009 14:03, UK
The time was right, so just why did Manny Pacquiao turn down the Ricky Hatton fight, wonders Adam Smith.
Carpe diem - not counting dough - was required
Boxing is so often about timing. For instance when to strike those hard back and forth negotiations and major financial decisions out of the ring. As I write this on Wednesday night (and the situation has been changing daily) the Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao super-fight that looked done for May 2nd in Las Vegas appears to be off. Word reaching us from the States, from both camps, is that it won't happen. The timing looked perfect, the Hitman against the Pacman; the world's most popular fighter tackling the pound-for-pound best. Yet in the last couple of weeks the fight has been in some jeopardy, and the latest word is that Pacquiao has not signed a hugely improved deal. The Filipino star wanted a higher revenue share than a proposed 52-48 split, despite his own promoter Bob Arum reportedly guaranteeing Pacquiao in excess of 12 million dollars. Arum has years of experience in dealing with pay-per-view fights, and knows this one is right up there in terms of generating fortunes. What is Pacquiao playing at? Where else is he going to get that kind of purse? Hatton is huge business. If this has fallen apart, Pacquiao will obviously turn to Floyd Mayweather, but so could Hatton. Has this been down to Pacquiao? Or the team that surrounds him? I have spent plenty of time with Manny, and he doesn't appear to be fuelled by greed - in fact he seemed really keen to fight Hatton. Has the Oscar De La Hoya win altered his ego? Who's whispering in his ear? Do we know all the financial facts? Surely Pacquiao is not shying away from the challenge.
The Hattons say they most definitely have a Plan B - for a huge stadium over here in the summer. There are alternatives: the winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz clash, Timothy Bradley or Nate Campbell. The golden nuggets are Mayweather and maybe even De La Hoya.
I know Croke Park in Dublin is very keen to stage the Hitman's next venture.
The Hattons are keen to proceed with the Hitman's career but, apparently Freddie Roach is making a last-ditch effort to persuade Pacquiao to fight Hatton.
Fascinating
The affable Hollywood trainer did of course get his timing spot on the Pcaman's masterclass over De La Hoya. He also told the Golden Boy that he doesn't have it anymore. Yet De La Hoya has now said he may carry on. With Father Time catching up with him, just when should Oscar call time on his career? Roach has also said this is the time for his other major asset, Amir Khan. And timing is of course a major factor in matchmaking. From clever gambles to foolish risks. The other major talking point of the week has revolved around the fascinating fight that takes place at Manchester's MEN arena in mid-March. Promoter Frank Warren rarely makes mistakes, but admits that his decision to allow the disastrous match between Khan and unbeaten Columbian banger Breidis Prescott last year, was one of his worst ever. Now, after an easy and clinical re-habilitation exercise against the limited Oisin Fagan, Amir Khan tackles the great Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Is this a stroke of genius by Warren or has Khan been thrown into the lion pit? The bookies are at odds with each other, which is a super sign.Master
Hindsight is always a wonderful thing when it comes to timing in boxing. John H Stracey got Jose Napoles at just the right moment; so too Lloyd Honeyghan with Don Curry, although few thought it at the time. Mr Warren has long been a master in constructing careers. Frank Bruno had every advantage when he was fourth time lucky against Oliver McCall. Naseem Hamed was matched superbly. So too Joe Calzaghe and Hatton. Kostya Tszyu was struck on the perfect summer's night and Warren knew too that Jeff Lacy was an over-egged American.
Has Frank got this one right or wrong? From the interest and split in reaction, I'm not yet certain. That's what makes this most intriguing.
Yes Barrera is a three-weight world champion and a modern legend, who's long proved he can fight, box and adapt to almost anything thrown at him. But he has had 71 fights and he is now 35. He's been a pro for an astonishing 20 years. Khan's only had 20 fights.
Barrera's not a natural lightweight, not a huge hitter and his legs must have slowed. But he doesn't look shot, he's so experienced, and so very good. It is a major risk for Team Khan.
Will Amir have the speed of youth, and the ringsmarts to box his way sensibly through? If Willie Limond can deck Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera could destroy his career.
I did expect this fight to come, but I didn't expect it now.
I have long been a huge admirer of the crack Mexican. Now I need to see the Baby-Faced Assasin in training. We still haven't heard anything from the Barrera camp - and I can't wait until we do!
Classy
Timing also concerns split-second calls made by ringside officials in and around the squared circle. We kicked off our New Year in the North East, where the Paul Truscott-John Simpson Commonwealth Featherweight title was brewing into a really good one. After a fast start from Truscott, the rounds were nip and tuck and at the half-way stage, I had the classy Middlesbrough lad one up (Jim Watt had him by three, but others saw Simpson shading it).
A nasty cut by Truscott's right eye - from a head clash - spurred Simpson on, but the tide was beginning to turn anyway. Simpson is the type of doggedly determined strong little man who won't be denied.
Truscott was stopped in the eighth because of the head clash. Many, including myself, think we should be in line with the rest of the world when it comes to accidental head clashes. After four rounds - go to the cards. If we had, Truscott would have won (two of the three judges had him ahead).
Time for a change?The British board is the best anywhere, particularly when it comes to safety measures and title tussles, and I think Robert Smith is a quite excellent choice as General Secretary. New blood. New generation. I like Robert.
The board did give in to bringing in three judges for British title fights. John Simpson himself was plagued by a highly-controversial decision earlier in his career when he seemed to have widely out-pointed Dazzo Williams, only for sole scoring referee Phil Edwards to give it against him.
Three judges are far better, although of course they can be way off the mark (De La Hoya-Mosley II over in America and Damaen Kelly-Simone Maludrottu back home spring to mind).
Payday
It is ironic that Simpson has won both the British title (against Andy Morris) and the Commonwealth belt last Friday on cuts.Time then for a re-match with Truscott? There are two ways of looking at it. Simpson deserves an easier payday because he is always in really tough fights. Yet Truscott surely deserves an immediate return. Scottish promoter Tommy Gilmour is a wise old fox, so he will see a safe defence first as a good move on three accounts: a payday for Simpson; time for Truscott to re-build and mature, and further opportunities to build up the anticipated return. Whatever happens we do need to see it.
A footnote on the Middlesbrough card - Troy James was the little star performer. The Coventry prospect turned professional in style, and with Barry McGuigan behind him, James has every chance of being in the right place at the right time to make a real mark.
To this week now and it's about time the British and Commonwealth Flyweight titles are contested again. They have been lying rather dormant.
Friday Fight Night sees Stoke's Chris Edwards enjoying rare home advantage as he meets Grimsby's Wayne Bloy. It's Edwards' experience and workrate against Bloy's fitness, determination and youth.
Both come to fight and this should be engaging stuff. Promoter Frank Maloney says that after the heavyweights, the flyweight division is his favourite. The eight-stone boys tend to produce fast-paced affairs, and they are normally in long fights because of the lack of many dynamite punchers. That said, Vic Darchinian and Nonito Donaire can bang - but they are a world apart.
