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

[fan johnny]

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.

Oscar didn't have a belt when he fought Manny either but he got the lion's share of the purse. [Exactly, if you realize this, I don't understand your argument] Floyd's leverage is that he's Floyd Mayweather. He's bringing more than any other fighter can [not proven], national profile, unbeaten record [So what! So do Edwind Valero, Andre Berto & Timothy Bradley], previous pound for pound champ etc. Floyd's negotiating position is that he wants the lion's share but in the end he'll settle for half. Both guys will because it's easily the biggest payday available and neither one is getting any younger.

Yes, It's about marketing! Oscar was the bigger draw at the time. The leverage question will be answered once both fighters have their respective fights. It's pointless to debate who upper hand on purse split, because they are going to face each other now.