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New York - Manny Pacquiao has revealed how Floyd Mayweather’s greed wrecked plans for a fight between the two superstars.
Mayweather, nicknamed Money, wanted to give Pacquiao $40 million if he could keep the pay-per-view earnings for the fight. Those earnings could have been $160 million, experts have estimated.
"It was embarrassing," Pacquiao said in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "He was trying to take advantage of me. It is clear he didn't want to fight."
The pieces were falling into place for a world title fight with Mayweather until the American tried to low-ball him on the split of pay-per view revenue, the Filipino said.
Pacquiao said he called Mayweather to try to broker a deal for a world championship fight. He thought they had an agreement until the American brought up pay-per-view income.
The negotiations fell through when Mayweather said he would give Pacquiao a $40 million lump-sum payment if the Filipino agreed to let him keep the pay per view earnings.
The two superstars have tried several times to get a contract signed but it has been scuttled for a variety of reasons, including disagreements over blood testing and the share of the purse.
"I called Floyd and told him we need to make this fight happen," Pacquiao said. "I said he could have whatever he wants, blood testing, 50/50 split and he said 'Oh, well. I will give you what you want.' Then he mentioned the pay per view."
For now, Pacquiao and the unbeaten Mayweather have lined up other opponents. But there is still speculation that the mega-fight could happen later in the year.
Pacquiao is scheduled to face American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on June 9 for Pacman's WBO welterweight belt.
Mayweather is set to fight Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto at the same venue on May 5 for Cotto's WBA super-welterweight title.
Paquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said on Tuesday they were not taking Bradley lightly but it was hard not to get excited about a possible fight against Mayweather.
If Pacquiao and Mayweather won well in their upcoming fights it would be a step in the right direction, Roach said. "That is the match everyone in the world wants to see."
Bradley was one of several fighters in the mix as a possible opponent for Pacquiao after a Mayweather fight fell through.
Bradley has a record of 28-0 with 12 knockouts. Pacquiao, who stands at 54-3-2 with 38 knockouts, has not lost since March 2005. But he struggled to a majority points decision over Juan Manuel Marquez last November.
Bradley and Pacquiao kicked off their promotional tour on Tuesday. They smiled as they posed for photographs and Pacquiao light-heartedly borrowed a camera and took pictures of Bradley in his boxing pose.
Roach said he expected Pacquiao to be ready to knock Bradley out. "I don't want him to be compassionate," Roach said. "I want him to knock people out. Manny can't be a nice guy and try to touch gloves in the ring with him."
Roach said Bradley was more than just a replacement fighter and that they wanted to hand him the first loss of his career while he is in his prime.
"It is nice to fight a fighter who is undefeated and not worried about losing that zero on his record," Roach said.
Bradley, of Palm Springs, California, is coming off an eight-round knockout victory over former world champion Joel Casamayor.
The 28-year-old Bradley said he planned to take the fight to Pacquiao. He won't make the same mistakes as Joshua Clottey and Shane Moseley who were booed because they talked a good fight but didn't back it up once they got in the ring with Pacquiao, an eight-division champion.
"They were older and older boxers don't take chances like young fighters do," Bradley said.
"I don't have a lot of miles on me like Manny. If I am going out then I am going out flaming. He will have to knock me out. He is going to have to kill me to stop me."
Pacquiao will travel to New York for another news conference on Thursday then fly back to the Philippines where he is a member of congress.
He has sold a casino he owned and got rid of the roosters he kept for cockfighting.
"Manny got a lot of distractions out of his life," Roach said. "He sold all his cocks for fighting, doesn't gamble, doesn't drink and he and his wife are getting along."
