What do you make out of this? Bob Arum: 50/50 Split, Pac vs PBF is on!

[fan johnny]

Neither guy is going to accept the short end of the purse and neither guy can make remotely as much money without fighting the other, so they'll eventually agree on 50 50. It is Written.

Doesn't that presuppose Mayweather / Marquez turns out mega PPV numbers?

Even Mayweather would have to concede he is a not as big a draw as he thought if the PPV numbers fail to be a blockbuster.

No, Floyd just has to beat Marquez. If he can do it more convincingly that manny did (basically box his way to a clear decision) that's all he needs to do. The PPV numbers don't matter so much, the bottom line is that Floyd-Manny would be a truly historic fight with a lot on the line and with an enormous potential PPV gross. The HBO PPV-buying public -- the casual American boxing fan -- want to see the unbeaten former pound for pound guy versus the current guy. One has his unbeaten record to sell the fight, the other has the amazing 130-135-147 run he's been on to do it for him and it's the fight the public will shell out for in a big way. Both guys could fight two other fights and not make as much money as they could from fighting each other, so it'll happen.

Uh? 50/50 or who gets the bigger split is not about who has the best record. It's about who is has more PPV draw. Although there is no doubt the PAC/PBF has mega appeal. If the JMM/PBF fight puts up crapy PPV numbers, Floyd has no leverage at the bargaining table. (provided he wins) If that does happen, Pacquiao is clearly in the drivers seat. With the JMM/PBF being delayed, and since it looks like Pacquiao will face Cotto, those numbers will also be a major factor in determining PPV draw power.

The other thing you have to keep in mind is that it is pure speculation that a Pac/PFB fight would break records. No one really knows if a a PAC/Cotto or if a Pac/PFB is a bigger draw. If you look at the styles, a PAC/Cotto is a more exciting fight to watch. So a Pac/Cotto could end up being the bigger money maker.

Let's presuppose that both Pacquiao and Mayweather win their next fights setting up a mega bout between the two. It would mean Pacquiao is the title holder and Mayweather is the challenger with no belts, not even a mythical or hypothetical one. That leaves the only one thing for him to bring to the table i.e. intrigue.