Insider: Why Manny's right for Eumir
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Apr 2020
Olympic middleweight boxing qualifier Eumir Marcial is seriously considering to turn pro before the Tokyo Games but promised not to stray from his goal of capturing a gold medal and won’t decide until meeting face-to-face with ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Ed Picson.
There are three known contenders for Marcial’s services when he turns pro. First is New York manager Shelly Finkel who explained what he can do for Marcial in a Star exclusive story published last Thursday. Second is New York-based Keith Connolly, supposedly negotiating in behalf of English promoter Eddie Hearn and the DAZN network. Third is super WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions represented by Sean Gibbons.
Finkel, 75, was Pacquiao’s manager for five fights, three with Erik Morales and one each with Oscar Larios and Hector Velasquez from 2005 to 2007. “When I came on board, I was his manager, not promoter because in the US, the law won’t allow anyone to be both,” said Finkel. “Freddie (Roach) introduced me to Manny. I took care of disengaging Manny from Murad Muhammad. We went to court and Manny got a nice settlement. I arranged for Manny’s first-ever pay-per-view fight with Morales. I remember in the first fight which Manny lost, the contract stipulated for him to wear Winning gloves. Manny wanted to wear Reyes but didn’t force the issue. I think you have to be a good poker player in this business. When Manny fought Morales again, he wore Reyes and won. Manny had no tax issues when I was his manager.”
Finkel said his two-year contract with Pacquiao lapsed in 2007 and wasn’t renewed. “I care about Manny and I will always have warmth in my heart for him,” he said. “With Eumir, I think he can be better with me than without me. If Eumir wants Manny to be his promoter, I can do that, too. What I did for Olympians like Mark Breland and Deontay Wilder, I will do for Eumir. Wherever he wants to be, I’ll be there.” Finkel said he's in contact with former AIBA official Dr. Mirko Wolf in scouting prospects for the pros.
There is no confirmation if a firm money offer to turn pro has been made to Marcial. But the talk is one camp has offered a signing bonus of $200,000 with a monthly allowance of $3,500 for 1 1/2 years and another, a flat signing bonus of $100,000. An insider from Pacquiao’s camp said MP Promotions will be ready to make an offer when Marcial decides to turn pro.
“If Eumir signs a contract with a manager, he’ll give up 20 or 30 percent of his purse,” said the MP insider. “With Senator, Eumir will keep his entire purse and Senator will cover his expenses, too. MP Promotions takes care of Filipinos the way Filipinos should be cared for, the way Jerwin Ancajas, Johnriel Casimero and Pedro Taduran became world champions. Senator has the resources and connections to make things happen. MP Promotions can do it all and is inclusive. Someone offering to manage Eumir will go to the same promoter connected with Senator so why not go straight to Senator and let him get it done without giving up a percentage of your purse? MP handles 90 percent of the top Filipino fighters today and the goal is to make the most money for each of them. We want Eumir to win the Olympic gold for the Philippines. That’s what Eumir wants and that’s what Senator is committed to support.”
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