A trumpet blared a fanfare to announce Floyd Mayweather Jr. And Miguel Cotto as admirers at the Apollo Theater cheered the beginning of news conference to promote their May 5 fight in Las Vegas. Football odds

However, there appeared to be far more attention in the fight that’s not occurring — a matchup between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather made clear that whether they meet in the ring is around the cash — breaking down the shares in what could possibly be boxing’ wealthiest fight ever. Football spreads

“Just by speaking to Pacquiao on the telephone, I mean, he’s not one of the sharpest knives in the drawer,” Mayweather said. “He confronts Floyd Mayweather, he’s not getting 50-50. Not in any way. No one is getting 50-50.”

While Mayweather urged Pacquiao must “take the test,” an allusion to his requirement for random drug testing, payout seems to be the real aching point between Mayweather on one side, and Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum on the other. Arum has said testing isn’t a problem.

“Bob Arum likes to match Top Rank fighters with Top Rank fights. He keeps all the cash in house,” Mayweather expounded.

This dispute has spilled into federal court. Pacquiao sued Mayweather for defamation in December 2009, saying Mayweather falsely charged him of using performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao spent 12 hours in Las vegas last week giving declarations in the case.

“If I offered him $30 million, he ought to be happy,” Mayweather said. “If I offered him $30 million and I didn’t give money on the back end, why do I have to? He’s with Arum now, and they’re having problems. It’s apparent he mustn’t be getting money on the back end.”

Mayweather claims he’s not ducking Pacquiao, who stopped Cotto in the 12th round of their Nov 2009 fight.

“If I’m shocked and I’m a coward, why do you fellows want to see me fight?” he announced. “Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Without a question. But it’s going to be hard to make the fight because Arum is worried about getting money.”

As boxing reports meetings go, this was reasonably tame. In the 2nd of a series that began in Puerto Rico and end in Los Angeles, Mayweather and Cotto feted each other and asserted they admired each other. Video projections announced them “Ring Kings” and “Living Legends.” They sat in tall chairs of red velvet with lions on the arm rests.

Mayweather was the snazzier, in white jeans, a black turtleneck sweater, and sunglasses. Cotto, who got the larger cheers, was in a black suit, black shirt and striped tie.

Cotto, who has stopped all 3 of his competitors since losing a welterweight title fight to Pacquiao, thinks the 154-pound weight limit will favor him over Mayweather, who has boxed at lighter classes.

“Power is going to be on my part,” Cotto related.

The fight, for the World Boxing Association super welterweight title, will occur in Las Vegas and will definitely be televised pay-per-view.

Mayweather is to start a 90-day jail action on June 1 stemming from a home-based violence case.