Let’s make this perfectly clear, no one wants to see Pacquiao against Jessie Vargas.
That is the fight that is looking likely according to Bob Arum.
“If Manny wants to win a world title, Jessie Vargas, whose head isn’t up his ass as far as the money, he realizes what is realistic money on pay-per-view now, which isn’t what it was before,” Arum said. ” … Hopefuly this coming week we’ll have a solid date and venue and then we’ll announce an opponent and be off and running. But Manny is definitely coming back.”
This is no knock against Vargas, but it would be a bigger dud than Pacquiao vs. Bradley 3 and everyone but Pacquiao would lose money on it (Top Rank lost upwards of $10 million Pacquiao vs. Bradley 3).
There are better opponents available (specifically Bud Crawford if he wins against Postol next Saturday which isn’t a guarantee and Danny Garcia), but let’s be honest there is only one opponent that will move the needle that isn’t named Floyd Mayweather.
Broner hasn’t done anything in the ring to deserve a shot at Pacquiao, but he brings eyeballs to the table.
But Broner being Broner, he has priced himself out of the fight.
“I can’t afford what Broner is asking. Neither can Manny,” Arum said. Broner’s position is how valuable it is on pay-per-view and maybe he is but i can’t take that risk and neither can manny. We looked to give him a very good upside (of the PPV sales). He wants a very unreasonable guarantee and I can’t pay it and Manny can’t take that risk.
Broner wants $6 million and part of the PPV. I don’t begrudge him for asking, but that is unrealistic especially considering like I said before the only reason he is being considered is because Manny needs a villain opponent.
If you are Broner unless you are fighting Floyd Mayweather you aren’t making anywhere near $6 million. Broner makes around a million a fight, but even more than money it would help his “About Billions” brand to accept less and take on Pacquiao.
The type of national attention Broner would get from a Pacquiao fight might be worth more long-term than the extra millions he is trying to get in the short-term.
Also, Pacquiao is older and will be handling his senatorial duties during training, so he will be ripe for the picking. If Broner was able to win, he would be able to name his price for his next fight or a potential rematch.
Broner needs to be smart about (I know that is asking a lot), this is probably the only opportunity he will have to get in the ring with Pacquiao, don’t blow it.