ANGRY GACAL CHALLENGES MARLEY TO A FISTFIGHT!
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Sep 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao?s lawyer Franklin ?Jeng? Gacal is visibly angered by the stories of boxing writer Michael Marley which have been carried by the widely-read Philboxing.com in which the American boxing writer continues to claim that Pacquiao is unhappy about his purse and has plans to pullout of the rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera on October 6.
Gacal took particular offense at Marley quoting a supposed ?inside Pinoy source? who allegedly said ?He (Pacquiao) and his lawyer, The Jackal (proper name Jeng Gacal) are trying to figure a way out of the whole situation.?
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Gacal said ?he has no right to call me names. I suspect he is a racist.? Requesting that we quote him, the lawyer who is obviously trusted by Pacquiao said in a second email ?he (Marley) is nothing but a second-rate, trying-hard rumor-mongerer.?
Taking umbrage at the insult, Gacal shot back ?I am willing to go 15 rounds with that white gorilla anytime, anywhere.?
Rex ?Wakee? Salud, a close friend and confidant and Gacal have narrowed down their suspects who are feeding Marley to two individuals, currently out of favor with Pacquiao. Their suspicions were heightened especially since Marley has refused to name names and continues to identify the claims as coming from sources, including a so-called ?Pinoy insider.?
Salud said that judging by the language in the quotes of Marley, it?s a Filipino with the initials ?HR? which could mean former broadcaster Hermie Rivera who lives in the US, while the second suspect is Michael Koncz, a one-time jobless Canadian who wormed his way into Pacquiao?s confidence and stayed for months with him in the Philippines but is no longer with Manny and has been reportedly thrown out of the inner circle.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today will strive to contact Rivera as soon as possible to get his take on the suspicion that he was the source of the alleged trouble and pull-out story.
Koncz was recognized as being the eyes and ears of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and projected himself as a Pacquiao adviser. However, he is no longer with Team Pacquiao.
None of the verbal exchanges or the rumors appeared to have bothered Pacquiao who continued to increase the tempo of his training surrounded at the RWS Gym by longtime friend and supporter, former Mayor and current Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Lito Atienza, popular Mayor and passionate boxing fan Dan Neri Lim of Tagbilaran City and some friends from Manny?s hometown of General Santos City.
Salud said the visitors boosted Pacquiao?s spirits but didn?t disturb his focus in training. Earlier, Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain watched Pacquiao train and was impressed saying, ?he is sharp and he is ready.?
Pacquiao extended his roadwork on the killer uphill run at Alta Vista and pushed himself hard in his afternoon workout.
Top photo: Franklin "Jeng" Gacal (center) poses with Rex "Wakee" Salud (left) and Manny Pacquiao at the RWS Gym in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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