Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Says 'No Way' to 50/50 Split

One of the biggest road blocks in the way of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao getting a deal in place to meet for a May 2012 fight is money. And Mayweather telling ESPN in an email that he is not open to a 50/50 split of the fights purse will only delay a fight the sport of boxing so desperately needs.

Mayweather told ESPN:

"

He [Pacquiao] asked about a 50/50 split, and I told him no that can't happen. But what could happen is you can make more money fighting me than you made in your career.

"

Pacquiao has made over $100 million over the span of his 16-year boxing career. So without a 50/50 split of the revenue from the fight, Pacquiao won't make $100 million—in a single fight with Mayweather at least—but he will make more than any other fight can produce two times over.

The word of Mayweather rejecting the 50/50 split will now shift the anger and blame of the sports world to "Money May." They will see it as yet another attempt to duck the fight by both fighters, but I don't.

Mayweather is the undefeated champ and looked far more impressive in his last fight than Pacquiao did. So I feel that Mayweather has the right to dictate the terms of the fight to an extent, as long as Pacquiao gets a fair shake.

A 55/45 split could be enough to satisfy both parties; each fighter will make tons of money, and it is not far off of the 50/50 split the Pacquiao camp wants.

If the mega-fight ever does see the light of day, a rematch is inevitable, which means yet another gigantic payday for both Mayweather and Pacquiao. In the end, Pacquiao could indeed make close to what he has made in his entire career in a two-fight series with "Money May."