By Chris LaBate
Light heavyweights Jean Pascal (26-2, 16KOs) and Tavoris Cloud (23-0, 19KOs) were trading words, as both fighters jumped on their Twitter accounts to explain their sides of the failed negotiations for a possible showdown in December.
Cloud, the undefeated IBF champion, disputed reports that his promoter, Don King, was demanding options on Pascal.
"Let it be known, Don King did not want options on Pascal, he wanted 50% of the gate and a rematch clause in case of a robbery," Cloud said. "I'm the champ, he wants my belt. A 50/50 gate means we both get equal dibs on the money, thats business. You should change promoters if you wish to make a lil bit of money and you must talk to Don if you really want to fight me."
Pascal answered back - "I sell out in my country. He can't even sell out in his own town. Lets be real. At the end of the day we can talk until our faces turn blue. Get the contract right and lets make it happen."
As they two fighters continued to exchange words, Pascal's promoter, Yvon Michel of GYM chimed in, and broke down the exact details of his offer to King. The offer appears to be very reasonable. The exact terms for the option on Pascal was the dealbreaker, said Michel.
"I have offered 50% of Canadian gate, 50% of HBO fee, 1 rematch and 1 option except [on fights that involve] Lucian Bute, Bernard Hopkins or Chad Dawson. The proposal also included a third fight rematch, if after the first two fights it was 1-1. The deal-breaker was option on Pascal, [which King wanted] without reserve, and we refused to concede [to that demand]. We all left big money on table," Michel said.