PACQUIAO DENIES HE FIRED KONCZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 19 Jul 2011
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has denied the widely circulated story that he had fired adviser Michael Koncz.
In a wide-ranging, light-hearted conversation filled with hearty laughter at his MP Towers office in Manila in the presence of lawyer Jeng Gacal and Team Pacquiao member Eric Pineda, Pacquiao told the Daily Inquirer the report that he fired Koncz ?is not true.?
Then, in a light vein he pointed at lawyer Gacal and with a hearty laugh in which the others joined said ?only Jeng Gacal made up that story.? Pacquiao quickly retracted saying ?no, that?s not true. I?m just kidding.?
When the Inquirer contacted Koncz last week inquiring about a story peddled by a Pacquiao team member that he had been replaced by a lady identified as Stephanny Domingo, Koncz said it was not true and that he had spoken to Manny and would return soon from the US. He claimed that "these intrigues happen when I am away.?
Pacquiao clarified that Domingo was appointed as a personal assistant to handle his appointments and similar matters and that Koncz ?is coming back next week. That is what he told me the last time I spoke to him.?
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who is vacationing in the south of France and works closely with Koncz on Pacquiao's fights told the Inquirer that Koncz doesn't work for Top Rank but is an asset in resolving issues related to Pacquiao's fights. He said he had advised Koncz whom he described as being loyal to Manny and someone who looked after his interests to return to Manila immediately.
Pacquiao said he would like to ensure that bickering and intrigues within his camp are eradicated adding ?I want them to be happy and to laugh.?
Turning serious Pacquiao said he watched the one round knockout of Likar Ramos by Juan Manuel Marquez whom he fights in a much-awaited trilogy on November 12 said ?I know what his strengths are and I know what his strategy is. He?s got nothing different, nothing new.?
In contrast Pacquiao said ?I am different now compared to the last time we fought. He has to train hard and of course I will also train hard so we can give fans a good fight.?
The ?Fighter of the Decade? who has won eight world titles in eight different weight divisions said he plans to start his training in the Philippines ?for the first month and the last month in the US? at the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach.
He disclosed that Marquez is scheduled to arrive in Manila on September 3 to kickoff the media tour at the Luneta Grandstand of the Rizal Park followed by a press conference.
Pacquiao at the same time commended newly crowned WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria saying ?he did his best to win the fight and showed us a good fight.However, he seemed to tire out in the last few rounds which meant he was short on stamina. But he did well in that fight. He needs to practice in making boxing easier that what we think.?
He said that while boxing ?is so hard and so difficult, there is a way to make that easier. When you have a fight you have to study the style of your opponent and when you train you apply the strategy you are going to use against your opponent while training in the gym.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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