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Philippines, 26 Apr 2024 |
Home >> News >> Columns >> Mortz Marcelo Ortigoza |  |
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The Ultimate Fight for Greed? PhilBoxing.com Sun, 19 Feb 2006 Lately, I was disturbed by the pronouncement of Erik Morales's manager Bob Arum, and the agreement in principle by Manny Pacquaio's manager Shelly Finkel and trainer Freddie Roach that the two marquee fighters will clash in a trilogy on September 18, 2006 at 132 lbs. What was most disturbing was Pacquiao's protestations quoted by various boxing scribes that he will not slug it out at the said 132 lbs but will only do it at 130 lbs. Since we have not seen the copy of the contract -- even on the web only - prior to their January 21, 2006 rematch, we can carefully deduce that the stipulation there had the fight at 130 lbs., the super featherweight division. Inked there was in case El Terrible lost, he could invoke the rubber match option clause to be held this coming July. But Arum confidently declared recently, he and Finkel agreed in a dinner somewhere in New York some initial plans for the said September bout to be held at the 27,000-setter Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. And if the venue is not available, the promoter can build makeshifts in an outdoor arena to be hosted by either Caesar's Palace or Wynn Las Vegas. Now my question, was the protestations by Pacqauio to not to exchange blows again with Morales at 132 lbs. for real? And if it is for real, Pacquiao fans around the world should be up in arms to this greediness pertuated by Arum and Finkel. It seems these duo just want to suck some more blood from their wards for the benefit of their pockets. Jesus Christ! What Arum and Finkel are doing is contrary to law. This is a revision of the original contract. They shit on the date and weight without getting the consent of the third party Pacman whose limbs and health are the one at stake here. If Pacquaio's objections were not part of a bigger zarzuela or publicity stunt to resuscitate fans disinterest to the said trilogy heap, then we are calling legal minds around the globe who are concerned on this ruckus to take a cursory look on this abuse, and give their opinion. And if there is truth for this accusation, may these concerned lawyers ask for a court order in Las Vegas for Arum and Finkel to be herded on the Vegas Desert, force them to wear a knuckleduster instead of worn-out and stinking boxing gloves and push them under the threat of contempt by the court to fight to the death - like what the gladiators in Rome had done. They will not only bring world attention to this useless Pacman-El Terrible Rubbermatch, but will probably redeem their sins before the eyes of the angry fight fans. But if all these pronouncements and protestations are part of a grand marketing blitz, so be it! We are taken for a ride. But we will watch with silence how the promotional geniuses of Gary Shaw, Arum and Finkel strike a miracle to overflow the 27,000-setter stadium as what Arum had boasted. This number is the equivalent of the spectators who were accommodated like sardines in a hot Manila Coliseum during the Ali-Frazier III Thrilla' in Manila. But this September fight was not a Thrilla in intensity. This is about Pacman versus Dead Man (in terms of excitement). Filipinos in the Philippines will not waste their time enplaning to Vegas again even if Arum and his gangs will open the gate of Boyd for free! Boxing fans are hot for Pacquiao-Barrera rematch. But it seems Arum don't want it to happen because he will get no penny for it. He would rather put into our throats this trilogy thrash so his nemesis Oscar dela Hoya - the manager of Marco Antonio Barrera - will not earn a windfall. Furthermore, it's a mystery for me why Shelly Finkel allowed himself to collaborate with Arum again despite the contract revision. This September fight was a ho-hum. Just look at the surveys of SecondOut.Com and mannypacquaio.ph. Thousands of people wants to watch a Pacquiao-Barrera II. In the said mannypacquaio.ph poll, the 24,374 respondents voted as follows: Pacqauio-Barrera II: 63%; Pacqauio-Marquez II: 20%; Pacqauio-Morales III: 8.5%; & Take a breather for Pacman and fight lesser opponent: 8.1%. So with all the statistics I quoted, probably you are convinced that we forego this September brouhaha, and rather wait for the ultimate fight for greed between Arum versus Finkel on the said month. This is not only box office! This is for Guinness, man! (Send reactions to totomortz@yahoo.com, or mobile phone no.: 09192760964) Below are the e-mails and SMS messages sent by readers in reaction to my article last week: Graceful Exit for this Hogwash Rubber Match. From Jean Curioso: i just have to tell u i love the way you write!!!!! so feisty, and sooo much attitude!!! sorry u lost ur bet, me and my friends lost our voices cheering on pacquiao at unlv (thomas and mack) . take care, jean From Gerald Lynch: Pacman should fight Marquez since everyone here in the US knows he won the first fight. It is shameful to not get the win because a judge forgets his arithmetic and can't count knockdowns. He should not even consider letting Morales earn more money just to get knocked out again or seriously injured. Jerry Lynch...Pennsylvania, USA: PS: here in the US, the commercials between rounds take only 60 seconds & not the 15 minutes like on Filipino TV Jerry From Dino Maragay: Good day! I just read your piece on Philboxing.com regarding the desperation-driven rubbermatch between our very own Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales. I agree with you 100% that this rematch need not push through. Pacman is already keen on fighting Morales again only at 130 lbs. But reports just came that the September rubbermatch is already a done deal. How could that be? In this case, Pacquiao's management team is going nuts. This is an obvious trap. We all know that 132 lbs is too much for our fighter, who barely even made 128 lbs in ther January clash. Again, I commend you for a nicely written article! Keep it up! I too was once a sportswriter, writing for our campus paper (UST's The Varsitarian). I currently work as a copy editor for an editorial services firm. I love boxing so much, and regret the fact that I only get updates from the Internet (because only a few notable fights are shown here). Do you mind if I ask you where can I contribute my knowledge as a freelance boxing writer? I too want my thoughts written on words to share to as many of my fellow boxing fans. Thanks a lot for the time, God bless and keep punching! Dino Maragay From Hermes Dagaas: Hi there! I agree with 101% in your article regarding possible 3rd bout between Erick Morales and our very own Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao. To me Manny is right when he said in one of the articles I read "NO WAY" I will fight Morales at 132 lbs. And I don't agree with Roach judgement that Manny can still beat Morales even if the fight at 132 lbs. If he encourages "PACMAN" to accept this challenge and agree to fight Morales in this weight, they are not just looking for trouble but they are forcing disaster to happen. Pacquiao should remain firm in his decision not to give in to Morales's or Arum's challenge. By doing this they are not breaching their contract because it is clearly stipulated that they are to fight at 130 lbs period. You might be correct afterall, that it's a way of saying by Morales' camp "NO Mas" but because of pride, Morales and his team doesn't want to admit it. Unlike the famous Roberto Duran who was man enough to utter such phrase and quit at 8th round against the equally famous Sugar Ray Leonard. Lastly but not the least, Manny should continue to be vigilant in running his affairs and see to it that he should have the last "say" when it comes to vital decision making as far as his future bout is concerned. If he does this am sure he still have a good number of years left in him to continue to dominate in his division. Good luck Manny and to those who really care for you in your team. God bless you all!!! By: Hermes Dagaas herms510@yahoo.com From Rene Pacolor: Read your column and was amazed by the way baby mortz jab his words online. How come you learn many things about boxing? What I know about you is a nasty, fire breathing, no prisoners taken columnist in Dagupan City. I really admire and respect you for it. From Rico Cabrera: Good article. Hopefully Team Pacman will listen to you. I'm in CT. Have a good day. From Pacland Hatricker6: Good am Mortz, very nice article for todays Graceful Exit for this Hogwash Rubber Match. Please write more article about Pacman versus Barrera rematch, so the fight will push through. Thanks and God Bless. Click here for a complete listing of columns by this author. Click here for a complete listing of this author's articles from different news sources. |
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