Pacquiao, Hatton ready to rumble

Ricky Hatton’s lawyer Gareth Williams said “all the pressure is off now” regarding the May 2 showdown between the British superstar and the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer today, Manny Pacquiao.

Williams told The Daily Telegraph in the U.K. that they now have a copy of the fight contract signed by the Filipino superstar, and added that he sees no problem with Hatton putting his name over the dotted line.

“It won’t be a problem and we’ll announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday. All the pressure is off now,” said Williams of the development that came after weeks of turbulence regarding the purse split.

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy, representing Hatton, and Bob Arum of Top Rank, representing Pacquiao, had previously agreed on an even 50-50 split of everything between the two explosive fighters.

But Pacquiao suddenly renewed his demands, saying he deserved more than a 50 percent share, calling for a 60-40 split that eventually ended up at 52-48 in his favor.

On top of this, the bulk of which would come from the huge pay-per-view prospects in the U.K., Pacquiao will receive a guaranteed purse of $13 million based on his agreement with Arum.

Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, said Hatton might also end up getting more than what was basically approved upon depending on his talks with his own promoter.

“They can do their own mathematics. They can have their own deal – between Hatton and Golden Boy. What’s important is for both fighters to sign the contract,” Gacal said.

“All they’ve waited for is a fight contract signed by Manny. And now that it’s in their hands, I believe that Hatton will sign it if he hasn’t signed it yet,” said Pacquiao’s lawyer.

“We have got the contract, signed by Manny,” Williams told PA Sport.

Arum had planned to fly to Manila so they could officially announce that the fight is all set to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Gacal said Pacquiao plans to leave for the US on the second or third week of February to join the press tour in the U.K. and in several key cities in the United States.

Then Pacquiao begins to train at the Wild Card Gym on March 1, and get ready for his first fight of the 2009. – Abac Cordero