Pacquiao's Stalling May Jeopardise Hatton Fight

The promoter Bob Arum has issued what amounts to a final warning to his fighter Manny Pacquiao that he must sign the contract for a 2 May fight against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas by tomorrow morning, or the contest will be called off.

Arum had believed Pacquiao would agree to a new purse split of 52-48 in the Filipino's favour, and a spokesman for his company Top Rank said this week that they were confident a formal announcement of the fight would be made on Friday.

Pacquiao has yet to put pen to paper amid speculation that he is still hoping for a bigger share of a combined purse, expected to reach between $20m and $40m, but Arum says the patience of the Hatton camp has all but expired.

"The Hatton people have been very patient. But they have told Richard Schaefer [chief executive of Hatton's promoters, Golden Boy] that they are calling a press conference announcing that they are calling off the fight," said Arum, who added that he had to receive a signed contract from Pacquiao. "If not, I can't prevent these people from pulling the plug."

Hatton wants to face Pacquiao, who is widely recognised as the pound-for-pound best, but his team has made it clear he will pursue alternatives involving an outside venue in Britain or Ireland – possibly Croke Park in Dublin – if a speedy conclusion to the matter is not reached.

"He [Pacquiao] has got a few more hours," said Arum. "I don't know what these people want any more. If it won't happen, it won't happen."