It should seem pretty clear that Manny Pacquiao will fight anyone, anywhere. There is no ducking or dodging in the repertoire of the eight-division world champ and Filipino icon. Pacquiao has pursued the biggest, best bouts throughout his twenty year professional career and has built a reputation as a ?no fear? kind of fighter. However, the same can?t always be said for those who handle the career of the future Hall of Famer.
Regardless of which side you favor in boxing?s great Mayweather-Pacquiao debate, it?s hard not to recognize Team Pacquiao?s role in keeping the mega-fight from happening for as long as possible. As Manny practically begged for a chance at Mayweather, promoter Bob Arum and co. seemed to push Manny in the opposite direction. Team Pacquiao kept their fighter signed to face other fighters while allowing Mayweather talk to fill the boxing world. The bout would?ve been an impossibility had it not been for Floyd and Manny personally taking steps to get the deal done.
It could also be said that a fifth bout with Juan Manuel Marquez is out of Manny?s reach, at least partially because of Team Pacquiao?s maneuverings. Marquez, who feels that he has been cheated throughout his series of fights with Pacquiao, knocked his arch-rival out cold the last time they met. It was a satisfying way to close out the Pacquiao chapter in Marquez?s life, but we all know that every man has his price and that the Mexican legend may have been tempted to sign up for one more bout if the price was just too good to reject. But Team Pacquiao held firm on paying Marquez the B-side money with a slight boost rather than offering purse parity with the man he just defeated. Maybe Marquez still would?ve opted to pass, but we?ll never know because Manny?s people never even offered to make the money sacrifice in exchange for Manny?s shot at redemption.
So, why has Team Pacquiao been willing to run interference and keep guys like Mayweather and Marquez at bay while pushing Manny towards lesser challenges? It?s simple boxing mathematics?They want to keep Manny as commercially viable as possible for as long as possible and they want to keep every bit of money he generates ?in house.?
You can?t really blame them for their actions. After all, the role of management is to make as much money for your fighter for as little risk as possible. If you can get $25 million against an easy mark like Chris Algieri, why not take it? Leave the riskier stuff for later, after all the easier money has been swept up.
The unfortunate part for Pacquiao is that his team doesn?t seem to be forthcoming about their business plans for him. So, as he publicly calls for the most elite of elites and for second cracks at his most vexing foes, the business men are nodding their heads in agreement and making different plans behind his back.
