It's clear from recent interviews with Floyd Mayweather that the negotiations for a Mayweather - Manny Pacquiao mega fight have already started. Floyd is making his case as the best fighter and biggest draw in boxing to get the lions share of the purse in that fight. He's actually made some good points. Firstly, he said he beat Oscar De La Hoya at 154 pounds whereas Pacquiao beat a 145 pound Oscar. Mayweather also indicated that he beat Ricky Hatton so badly that he was never the same fighter and was shot against Pacquiao. Both are good arguments but we have to consider other relevant points. Pacquiao destroyed Hatton in 2 rounds at Hatton's preferred weight of 140 pounds. Mayweather beat Hatton in 10 rounds at Hatton's weaker fighting weight of 147 pounds. Regarding the De La Hoya fight Mayweather has a good point but we have to keep in mind that Pacquiao started his career at 106 pounds whereas Mayweather started at 130 pounds so the move up in weight was greater for Pacquiao. Also, De La Hoya started his career around 130 pounds so he was close to the same size as Mayweather.
Manny as defeated several sure fire hall of famers like Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera. So, despite his losses he has had a much greater level of competition. Mayweather's undefeated record doesn't hold the same weight as Pacquiao's record. For example, Joe Calzaghe was undefeated but he is a borderline hall of famer and no where near Pacquiao because of his lack of competition during his prime. Mayweather has fought better competition than Calzaghe but has generally not looked to fight the best fighters at welterweight (where he has been for a significant portion of his career).
Mayweather has drawn better numbers in his fights against De La Hoya and Hatton but the difference isn't profound by any stretch.
Overall, my opinion is that a 50-50 split is the fairest settlement assuming Mayweather defeats Marquez in July.
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