Manny Pacquiao has until Monday to accept Barrera rematch!
Manny Pacquiao has until Monday to accept Barrera rematch!
By G. Leon
29/12/2006
By G. Leon
29/12/2006
Moments ago Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer issued the following statement exclusively to Boxingtalk.com, "It is not up to Bob Arum to respond to our offer since he has no promotional right to Manny Pacquiao, and he therefore cannot intend to negotiate with him. However, as I stated yesterday, we do not want to stand in the fighters way to make this fight, nor do we want to deprive the public from seeing this epic battle. Our offer was not intended as a negotiation, but to present a fair and lucrative offer to make this fight a reality. Marco Antonio Barrera has many different options as it relates to his next opponent, but we are prepared to honor the 50-50 as outlined yesterday on Boxingtalk. Marco is the champion and his willingness to agree to a 50-50 deal, only if the fight doesn't go to purse-bid is certainly a generous offer to Manny. I am sure that Manny and his team understand that if the fight goes to purse-bid the split would be 75-25 in favor of Barrera. Marco and Golden Boy however, are not willing to sit around and wait. Pay-per-view deadlines force us to impose a deadline of Monday January 1 for Team Pacquiao to either accept or decline our offer. It is very unfortunate that Bob Arum, through his tortious interference, has clouded Manny Pacquiao's mind. Because of Bob's actions with the help and assistance of certain members of Team Pacquiao, particularly Michael Koncz, this long awaited fight might not happen and cost the fighters as well as Golden Boy a substantial loss of money and opportunity. As indicated yesterday, the deal is a 50-50 deal and Golden Boy is the promoter, however Golden Boy would agree to withhold all promotional profits attributable to the Pacquiao side in an escrow account until such time the courts decide who the legal promoter of Manny Pacquiao is. On a more personal note, Manny this is your chance to step up. Take control and accept the fight you claim you want the most. If Bob Arum wants what's best for you he will not stand in your way to make this career definining fight. If we agree to hold the promotional profits in an escrow account Arum has nothing to lose. If he should win the case he gets the money and if he does not, then he doesn't deserve it. However, you deserve the opportunity to fight the best Mexican fighter of our generation, the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera. If you want to be the boss and the people around you tell you that you are the boss, then take charge act like the boss and accept the fight." (1:49 PM EST)