Mayweather refuses to budge on payout split with Pacquiao
NEW YORK -- A trumpet blared a fanfare to introduce Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto as fans at the Apollo Theater cheered the start of Tuesday's news conference to promote their May 5 fight at the MGM Grand Garden.
Still, there appeared to be far more interest in the fight that's not happening -- a matchup between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather made clear that whether they meet in the ring is about the money -- breaking down the shares in what could be boxing's richest fight.
"By speaking to Pacquiao on the phone, I mean, he's not one of the sharpest knives in the drawer," Mayweather said. "He faces Floyd Mayweather, he's not getting 50-50. Not at all. No one is getting 50-50."
While Mayweather urged Pacquiao should "take the test," a reference to his demand for random drug testing, payout appears to be the sore point between Mayweather on one side and Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum on the other. Arum has said testing is not an issue.
This dispute has spilled into federal court. Pacquiao sued Mayweather for defamation in December 2009, alleging Mayweather falsely accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao spent 12 hours in Las Vegas last week giving depositions in the case.
"If I offered him $30 million, he should be happy," Mayweather said.
