On Wednesday, Fightnews contacted famed fight manager, Shelly Finkel to touch base with him on various boxing issues. Among such subjects discussed included the drama surrounding super featherweight dynamo, Manny Pacquiao and the failed attempt at a lucrative and highly anticipated rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera. Of that, Finkel stated: “You know, I think its evident to all of the knowledgeable boxing fans that a rematch between Manny and Barrera, is a blockbuster fight that all of his fans are dying to see. There was a poll done on Manny’s website asking which fight they would like to see most. By a margin of 5-1, Barrera beat out any other potential opponent!”
“I know this may sound like a clich?, but the only thing I want is what’s best for Manny and his career. And, I can’t imagine why anyone else – who says they have that same interest – did not get Manny the rematch with Barrera! It’s a career defining fight for Manny! Just like Morales was. Not having the opportunity of seeing Manny annihilate Barrera again, will surely be a disappointment to all of his fans. You know, every legendary fighter in history is linked to another fighter. It’s just how Ali had Frazier and Foreman, for Ray Leonard it was Duran, Hagler and Hearns, for Joe Louis it was Schmelling. And for Manny… it’s Morales and Barrera. We all know that there are fights that draw well, but very few are career defining. A Pacquiao-Barrera rematch is one that is BOTH!”
It is now expected that Pacquiao’s next fight will take place in Macau, China against a top ten ranked opponent for just as much money. “That is all fine and good,” explains Finkel. “But as a comparison, Manny fought Oscar Larios in the Philippines and he made a lot of money. But there is no way anyone can say that fight helped his career… like beating Morales did. I was so sure of how big a rematch with Barrera would have been, that I was personally willing to guarantee that Manny would make $5 million for that fight, as long as I was involved to make the deal happen for him, (and I relayed this to him directly). For that opportunity to have been lost to another fighter, and Manny not having the chance to beat Barrera again, I think is a travesty.”
“I hate to see Manny lose out on something like this,” laments the manager. “He’s a good kid. I admire Manny’s strong religious belief and his tremendous work ethic. He’s the pride of his country! Manny has become the greatest fighter to have ever risen from the streets of the Philippines. But its career defining fights such as Barrera that will continue to earn him legendary status throughout the world and will help him be remembered in boxing history. And that’s all I wanted for Manny.”
“For over 25 years” says Finkel, “I have represented countless fighters and champions and have learned that boxing is unlike any other sport. One misguided decision can change the course of a fighter’s career and his status in history! Not getting Barrera is potentially another one of these bad decisions. And that is something I wanted to prevent from happening to Manny. But whatever he decides, I wish him well and I hope he knows that my door is always open to him as a friend.”
