Report: Bob Arum says Mayweather-Pacquiao split could reach $300 million

Arum on Cotto-Canelo

The long-awaited super-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is set to be the biggest fight in the last two decades and with that will be record-breaking earnings for both fighters.

The May 2 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas could amass a fight purse of $300 million according to Top Rank’s Bob Arum (h/t BoxingScene.com).

“We have to do the math,” Arum said. “After adding everything, I think the (amount of money) to distribute will be $300 million—60 percent for Mayweather, which is $180 million, and 40 percent for Pacquiao, which is $120 million.”

The huge paydays for both fighters are all contingent on pay-per-view sales that are higher than most anticipate for the Cinco De Mayo weekend clash. Most estimate that the PPV numbers will reach around 3-3.5 million buys. The $300 million number relays on PPV sales reaching 4-5 million buys.

The astronomical numbers that are expected to be produced from this bout would make one think that the “no rematch” clause in the contract might not mean much. If the fight is close and leaves the world abuzz, then there is no logical reason why the two wouldn’t face each other again.

If Mayweather could give Marcos Maidana a rematch for a bout that the public thought was close, then there is certainly a good chance this Mayweather-Pacquiao saga could turn into a two-fight deal.