He’s starting out high and is working his way down (though I’d assume Pac’s agent is the one doing the real negotiating). There’s no doubt that Manny deserves a bigger slice of the pie, given what he brings to the table, but certainly not 70%. The reality is that PacMan NEEDS Cotto to make a big fight in the fall, because there’s no one else out there who the public will pay big money to watch him fight (with the exception of Mosley, who Roach appears dead-set against). So, in a sense, Cotto does have some degree of leverage in these negotiations.

somehow accidentally posted the earlier draft of my reply to Sickle…

It could and probably will still be for Cotto’s title. All you have to be is 147 or lighter for it to be a title fight.

As long as it’s at or below the welterweight limit of 147.

Here’s one I somewhat disagree with Scott on. I don’t understand the fuss, especially at 145. Catchweight fights have been happening forever. Leonard-Hearns II was at a catchweight of 162, and Leonard won his ‘super middleweight’ title while weighing only 160 fully clothed. Terry Norris-Meldrick Taylor was at a catchweight of 149, and Norris usually came in around 152. There are a few other prominent ones I’m sure I’m forgetting. It’s one thing to get a guy to drain to the point where they’re bone dry, but having the other guy shed an extra pound or two shouldn’t be a huge deal, especially when Cotto usually weighs in at 146. A 145 catchweight should just mean an extra hour or two in the steam room.