PACQUIAO FLATLY DENIES RUMORS
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Sep 2007
Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao vehemently denied rumors that he thinks on backing out of his highly-anticipated rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera slated on October 6 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Citing unnamed sources, Michael Marley of boxingconfidential.com reported that Pacquiao plans to pull out of the huge Pay-Per-View card co-promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions if he isn't paid right.
But Pacquiao quickly doused cold water on the rumor mill saying it has no basis and untrue.
"I'm surprised to hear that news. I don't have any idea where it came from. There's no truth about it," said Pacquaio prior to his heavy workout yesterday at the RWS Gym. "All I can say is that I prepared hard for my fight against Barrera."
The news also caught Pacquiao's celerated American trainer Freddie Roach by surprise.
"I've known Marley for years, but I don't know what he's up to. Manny is doing fine, everything is fine. We've got no problem and Manny is very focused on the Barrera right," said Roach.
Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud, Pacquiao's confidant and business partner, said the rumors maybe circulated by some quarters whose motive is to distract the Pacman at this crucial stage of his training.
"I was really shocked by the report. It's totally untrue. Whoever spread that rumor just wanted to distract Manny knowing that he's very focused on his upcoming rematch with Barrera," said Salud.
In his report, Marley's source insinuated that "Manny believes that the recent business marriage of Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya has been to his financial detriment and that he is not happy with the money GBP and TR want to pay him." A third source reportedly told Marley that ?Manny wants out of this fight unless they ratchet up the pay.?
But Pacquiao's chief-of-staff Jake Joson doubts the veracity of the claims of Marley's sources saying that Pacquiao doesn't usually discuss money matters whenever he has a fight.
"When Manny fights, he doesn't talk about money. What he thinks first is to give honor and pride to our country," said Joson. "With regards to financial matters, there are certain people who are taking care of it. That's why Manny handles a lot of people."
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum also came to Pacquiao defense, quashing off rumors that "Pacquaio is seeking more money or an exit from the Oct. 6 bout against Marco Antonio Barrera."
?Where these rumors started or why, I don?t understand. Manny?s been a perfect gentleman and Freddie Roach tells me he is training like an animal,? said Arum. ?Manny is extraordinarily happy with this deal. Manny and Top Rank are getting the lion?s share of the total percentage on this fight.?
Arum also flatly denied being asked by Pacquiao of US$1 million advance payment.
?That is not true, either. He never asked me for a million bucks. We just finalized some things the other day, Manny wanted $200,000 as an advance and I sent it out to him per Nevada law. I just spoke, minutes ago, with Freddie and with (attorney) Jeng Gacal and they told me Manny is fine, he is feeling and looking great.?
Meanwhile, Pacquiao logged 10 more rounds of torrid sparring yesterday - four against Raymundo Beltran and three each against Arniel Tinampay and David Rodela. Overall, Pacman has already sparred 78 rounds.
Pacquiao's excellent form impressed Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain, who was at a special ringside seat
watching the Pacman train. "Pacquiao is in great shape. He was just playing with his sparmates," he said. "I'm here to let Pacquiao know that we're one in supporting him in this important fight of his career."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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