| |
|
No contest: Pacquiao a willing victim
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Mar 2017
PROMOTER Bob Arum did sense right off that Manny Pacquiao was being led to a dreadful dollar trap.
Upon hearing of the $38 Million purse allegedly dangled by UAE negotiators, Arum cried it was wholly insane.
Manny Pacquiao would have nothing of Arum?s disapproval.
He refused to listen. He also stopped talking to Arum.
Arum himself decided to shut up.
**
Meanwhile, the boxing world was left to wonder what the hell was going on.
There definitely was a hidden tussle between Arum and Pacquiao.
Michael Koncz, a vital Pacquiao aide and adviser who once worked as loyal Arum errand boy, however, assured things were A-OK between the Hall-of-Fame promoter and the eight-division world boxing champion.
Koncz was lying.
**
Shoved to the sideline, Arum kept mum, but only after one stern reminder. He asked to be shown the (big) money.
Unmindful of Arum?s warning that the enormous purse could all be fantasy, Koncz went on to announce the Pacquiao-Khan bout would be moved to May.
Koncz continued to hog the spotlight, even as uncertainty on Pacquiao?s next bout mounted.
With no Pacquiao to talk to, Arum had no choice but summon Koncz to his Las Vegas office.
What would follow was another wordless wait through the previous weekend.
**
Then Arum suddenly stood up to announce it was a no-deal.
The Pacquiao-Khan bout was dead.
Nobody killed it; if there had been any kind of tussle between Pacquiao and Arum, it was a mismatch, a no-contest.
Arum had refused to bend low. He did not say it was a hoax, but calmly stated Pacquiao et al were talking to the wrong people.
**
No need to ask now: Who goofed, who faulted?
Pacquiao shunned decorum and allowed himself to be blinded by the lure of tremendous cash.
Pacquiao was a willing victim of his own naivete? and shallow preference.
Sorry, Sen. Pacquiao has only himself to blame.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
, Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
, Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
, Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
