LOS ANGELES ? If Manny Pacquiao and Golden Boy Promotions wiggle their way out of the legal battle with Top Rank, the Filipino icon stands to receive $ 5 million should a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera happens in March, 2007.
This was disclosed by Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach, who told the Bulletin on Friday that based from what he?s been briefed by GBP executives, Pacquiao will make much more compared with the $ 3 million that he took by destroying Erik Morales last Nov. 18 in Las Vegas.
“That?s the fight that will give Manny more money,” Roach said. “I would really love to see Manny fight Barrera next because if he (Pacquiao) doesn?t, Barrera will fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez and Marquez will beat Barrera.”
If that happens, Roach said Pacquiao will not only get the opportunity to prove that his 11th-round stoppage over the Mexico City puncher over three years ago in San Antonio, Texas, was not a fluke but he also won?t be able to cash in a major payday.
Roach sees a very exciting and intriguing rematch because Barrera usually performs well in return meetings.
Still, Roach is confident that even a top-form Barrera would still come short of exacting payback against the fighter many believed is the world?s best pound for pound.
“This is going to be easier than the last fight and Manny should stop him (before the 11th round),” said Roach.
Even Pacquiao, when interviewed upon his arrival in the Philippines on Friday morning, told newsmen that he would rather clash with Barrera than tangle with the untested Venezuelan Edwin Valero, who boasts of an incredible 20-0 win-loss card with all victories coming by way of knockout, including 18 in the first round.
However, Pacquiao and GBP, owned by Oscar De La Hoya, should first hurdle the legal problems posed by Top Rank, which claims that it has signed a four-year promotional pact with Pacquiao although it was GBP which beat Top Rank to the punch in signing the sensational southpaw to a seven-fight agreement.
Roach “hopes that Manny comes to his senses” so they could start negotiating for the ballyhooed Barrera bout.
Meanwhile, Roach revealed that he is seriously considering to visit the Philippines “for less than a week” so he could attend Pacquiao?s 28th birthday celebration ? victory party ? and house blessing in General Santos City on Dec. 17.
