DLH-Pacquiao edges ever nearer
by Mark Doyle, 07 August 2008
Oscar de la Hoya’s proposed bout with Manny Pacquiao is a significant step closer to materialising after the pair’s representatives sat down together for the first time on Wednesday and enjoyed ‘a very cordial meeting’.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, held face-to-face talks with Top Rank’s Bob Arum in Los Angeles to discuss the fight and its potential stumbling blocks, namely weight and money.
It is anticipated that the bout would go ahead at welterweight but that could be a struggle for both men, given that Pacquiao has already moved up through five divisions and is currently campaigning at lightweight, while De La Hoya has not fought at 147lbs in seven years.
However, the more contentious issue could be how the revenue is split, with pound-for-pound king Pacquiao reportedly demanding half and De La Hoya, the most marketable fighter in the world, likely to seek out the greater share.
However, in spite of all of the above, Schaefer is, after opening preliminary negotiations, optimistic that a deal will eventually be reached.
"We met and there are some issues, but it was a good meeting," Schaefer told ESPN.com.
"I think what it will take is for Manny to give and for Oscar to give to get a deal done. That's pretty much what it is.
”But the fact that we had a two hour-plus meeting is obviously a good sign. If it had been a five-minute meeting it would indicate the gaps are too big.
"What Bob needs to do is talk to Manny and I need to talk to Oscar. I'm going to talk to Oscar face to face when he comes to Los Angeles next week.
”But this was a good first step. We had a very good, a very cordial meeting. We talked about a lot of things," Schaefer said.
Arum, meanwhile, is also upbeat but is warning that there will have be compromise on both sides.
"Richard and I can make a deal, but we are not the guys doing the fighting. It's going to be up to the fighters,” he mused.
”There will have to be movement on both sides. Hopefully, there will be movement.
”We want to make a deal, Richard and I. Whether it can be made or not, I don't know. It will take give and take on both sides, like in any negotiation."