Manny Pacquaio said he will acquiesce to Floyd Mayweather Jr.s’ demands — including drug testing and taking less money — in order to make the fight the boxing world has desired for some time.
A Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would be the richest bout in history if it occurs while both are at or near their prime. Mayweather has been adamant about a few things that have held up an agreement.
On Thursday, during an appearance on ESPN2’s “First Take,” Pacquiao said he is willing to give in to Mayweather’s demands.
“I’m waiting for that fight to happen,” Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, said. “I don’t know what’s the reason why that fight has not happened. . . It’s OK for me if he gets a higher percentage than me.”
In January, Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs), a five-division champion, and Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) spoke on the phone about a possible deal during which Mayweather offered to pay him a flat fee of $40 million for a proposed fight but would not allow him to share in the revenue. In the original negotiation, Mayweather agreed to a 50-50 split.
“I spoke to Floyd . . . and he offered me an amount,” Pacquiao said. “He didn’t talk about the pay-per-views here and that’s it. I can’t agree with that. I told him I agree with 55 and 45 (split).”
The other issue that has prevented the fight was Mayweather’s demand for random blood and urine testing throughout the build-up to the bout. During the first negotiation, Pacquiao at first declined to participate in such testing but has long said he would agree.
He reiterated, “No problem,” Pacquiao said. “Whatever he wants to do.”
Even when Pacquiao previously had softened his stance on random testing, there was still an issue about doing a blood test on the day of the fight. But Pacquiao said he now would be OK with that, too.
“No problem,” he said. “Even the night of the fight. No problem.”
Mayweather has demanded that his recent opponents submit to random drug testing, in which Mayweather himself also participates. He has accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs, despite no evidence, which led to a December 2009 defamation suit.
The suit was another road block to making the fight, but this week a federal judge in Las Vegas ordered Mayweather to pay nearly $114,000 because he continually has refused to appear for a deposition with Pacquiao’s lawyers.
The prospect of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight likely disappears if Juan Manuel Marquez defeats Pacquiao in December.
