STORY ON PACQUIAO PULLOUT 'RUBBISH'
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Sep 2007
"Rubbish" is the one-word reaction of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao?s lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal to a story claiming that Pacquiao was planning to pull-out of his eagerly anticipated rematch with legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino on October 6 over a dispute about his purse.
Gacal said the story which was given prominence by Philboxing.com was "crazy" and that "everything was fine" and that Pacquiao had even stepped-up training for the rematch.
Gacal recently returned from the US where he finalized details of Pacquiao?s purse and ancillary rights with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who, in partnership with Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions will handle the fight card.
Gacal stressed there were no problems and disclosed that Pacquiao had even received a check to cover his training expenses from Arum. Arum himself revealed that he had sent Pacquiao $200,000 even as he denied rumors that Pacquiao had asked for a $1 million advance for the Barrera fight.
Under his Top Rank contract, Pacquiao is supposed to receive a minimum purse of $2 million which is what he reportedly got for his April 14 fight against Jorge Solis plus a share of the pay-per-view income as well as Philippine free TV, cable, theater and other ancillary rights.
The Philippine rights which Arum has granted Pacquiao and is considered part of his overall purse is known to have fetched Pacquiao well over a $1 million from rights holders Solar Sports who will telecast the Barrera rematch on GMA 7.
Even during the time of promoter Murad Muhammad and business manager Rod Nazario, Philippine TV rights were granted to Pacquiao.
Gacal said he had received an overseas call from Arum yesterday morning inquiring how things were and he had assured him that Pacquiao was training hard and in good shape.
Roach said Arum had called him because of some concern over the pull-out story but Roach reassured him that "Manny is working hard and everything us good."
Roach told us he knows boxing writer Michael Marley and was surprised he didn?t call him to check since he had his number. At the same time Roach expressed disappointment over the fact that "people write what they want and quote sources but wont identify them."
At the same time he said that although Pacquiao went ten rounds the sparring was not as good as last Wednesday because he still had a lingering chest cold and he had asked the doctor to check him out and give him something to clear his throat out.
Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for Los Angeles on September 22 to wind down training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach. Prior to his departure Pacquiao will train for one day at the Wild Card Gym in BF Homes, Paranaque which is owned by his former business manager Rod Nazario.
Pacquiao?s close friend and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in a long distance conversation from his RWS Gym in Cebu City where Pacquiao was sparring that Pacquiao told him "he doesn?t know where the story came from and there is absolutely no truth to it."
Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain who watched Pacquiao sparring said he was "very sharp and looking good" and that he too was taken aback over stories that Manny planned to pullout of the Barrera fight. Buhain said he had met earlier in the day with Roach and was informed that "everything is a go" and that Pacquiao was focused and training hard even doing his roadwork in the rain.
Buhain as well as other boxing people and supporters of Pacquiao have questioned why Philboxing gave prominence to a story that was based on rumor and which only quoted sources and could only create confusion in the Pacquiao training camp at a critical time in his preparation.
Buhain was in Cebu together with GAB boxing division head Dr. Nasser Cruz to discuss the planned fight card to be staged by MP Promotions and "Wakee" Salud during the WBC convention to be held in Manila in November.
Top photo: From left, Rex "Wakee" Salud, Jeng Gacal and Pacquiao pose at the RWS Gym in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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