Pacquiao says he needs to reprise old, ferocious Manny

There's cause for concern in the Manny Pacquiao camp these days.

Although the always proud Pacquiao never would admit he's worried about his slippage in his past three fights, his words and actions during the media tour for his Dec. 8 fight vs. Juan Manuel Marquez suggest as much.

This will be Pacquiao's fourth fight against Marquez, 39, and he has two narrow victories and a draw to show for the first three. If you ask Marquez and many ringside observers of those fights, the ring-smart veteran from Mexico City could be 3-0 and would seem to have Pacquiao's number.

Pacquiao ready to compromise with Floyd

Manny Pacquiao, who will fight Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time on Dec. 8, said on ESPN's First Take Thursday that he would be willing to give in to Floyd Mayweather's demand for a 55-45 split of the revenue from what could be the richest fight in boxing history, in order to make the fight happen.

"I'm waiting for that fight to happen," the eight-division world champion said. "I don't know what's the reason why that fight has not happened. ... I'm giving up. It's OK for me if he gets a higher percentage than me.

"I spoke to Floyd, I don't remember, last year, I think, (Mayweather called Pacquiao in the Philippines), and he offered me an amount. He didn't talk about the pay-per-views here and that's it. I can't agree with that. I told him I agree with 55 and 45."

Manny Pacquiao waiting for fight

The key stumbling block to making a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight -- which looms as the richest bout in boxing history if it happens while both are near the top of their games -- has been Mayweather's insistence on taking the lion's share of the money.

On Thursday, during an appearance on ESPN2's "First Take," Pacquiao said he is willing to give Mayweather the bigger slice of the pie.

“I'm waiting for that fight to happen. I don't know what's the reason why that fight has not happened. ... It's OK for me if he gets a higher percentage than me.” -- Manny Pacquiao, on potential fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao was appearing in the Bristol, Conn., studio with Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs). They are in the midst of a tour promoting their welterweight showdown on Dec. 8 (HBO PPV) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but much of the conversation Thursday centered on a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

Manny Pacquiao's willingness to 55-45 financial split puts onus squarely on Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The burden, finally, is fully and entirely on Floyd Mayweather Jr. to make a fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao agreed Thursday during appearances on two separate television shows on ESPN to give Mayweather a 55-45 advantage on a financial split should they fight, as the public has been demanding since late 2009. A match between them is expected to be the most lucrative bout in boxing history.

Pacquiao, who meets Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas, had been demanding a 50-50 split. Without such a split, he’d said repeatedly over the last 18 months that he would not agree to a fight with Mayweather.

The other major hurdle blocking the fight between the two men regarded by many as the two best in the world was Mayweather's demand for Olympic-style drug testing. Initially, Pacquiao balked at the testing. He has since changed his stance and has said repeatedly over the last year he would fully comply with the tests, just as Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto have done in Mayweather's last three fights. In a telephone interview with Yahoo! Sports on Monday, Pacquiao made no mention of a purse split, but he was as optimistic about the possibility of a fight with Mayweather as he had ever been.

"I think Mayweather will be next," Pacquiao said, declining to specify why. But by agreeing to give Mayweather the lion's share of the purse, Pacquiao has shifted the onus to Mayweather.

Read more from the source: Yahoo Sports

Manny Pacquiao Vs Juan Manuel Marquez IV: The Floyd Mayweather JR Fumble

Unlike Star Wars, Episode Four of the Pacquiao vs. Marquez rivalry will not create any new questions over the legitimacy of the previous three battles. Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV…I’m not feeling it. Or rather, I’m more surprised by it and this combat sports writer wonders why. But since I have to think about it, even feel something, I’d offer that Pacquiao vs. Marquez is an intense rivalry. As I’ve been told by many, Marquez remains adamant that he won all three bouts. Pacquiao maintains that he earned all three victories, even the split decision. Remember boxing fans, we don’t sit ringside. Well, actually, I have and I don’t know how judges do it. I’m usually right on with the judges in terms of scoring, but not until about round three when I think the fight really begins. The first two rounds can be give-mes to either fighter, but as round three comes around, the rhythm of the fight can easily be swayed.

There are a few possible reasons as to why Pacquiao and Marquez will meet for a fourth time. First, I’ll get it out there as the most obvious reason – $$$$ – yes, RSR fans, money. It’s money. And I don’t blame either Pacquiao or Marquez for choosing to fight one another in hopes of getting a bigger purse. Forget about the pride. Ignore the draw of the Pacquiao – Mayweather, JR possibility. I believe it’s about money. Mayweather, JR., seems to be making his own living at sports betting after his time in jail. He openly gambles and actually picks well. Oh, Floyd Mayweather, JR., I think you should open a sports betting company. He’d be his own best client.