Manny Pacquiao practically had the RWS Gym in Cebu City all to himself yesterday, staging a tough two-hour workout as he bids for a bigger paycheck for his Oct. 6 rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera.
The workout at the Rex “Wakee” Salud was held behind closed doors with only selective guests present. Local boxers who normally train in the afternoon had to shift to a morning schedule.
“Manny now has all the space he needs in the gym,” said Pacquiao chief-of-staff Jake Joson. He said sparring resumes today against Mexican David Rodela who did three rounds with the Filipino last Monday.
Another sparring partner flies in today from Los Angeles, and might be used on Friday. Today marks the first week of Pacquiao’s training in Cebu City for his showdown with Barrera in Las Vegas.
The fight will be co-promoted by former bitter rivals Top Rank, under Bob Arum, and Golden Boy, under Oscar dela Hoya. The details of the fight contract are now being finalized.
Initial reports said Pacquiao is being given a guaranteed purse of $2 million and a 57-43 percent cut on all other revenues from pay-per-view, merchandise or even ticket sales.
These figures, however, did not sit well with Pacquiao who sent his legal counsel, Franklin Gacal, to Las Vegas, and deal directly with Arum for a bigger purse, and a bigger cut.
“Things are now being worked out. What came out was probably the ballpark figure on what Manny is being offered. Manny deserved more than that and he knows it,’ said Joson.
Pacquiao probably earned as much or even more for fighting Oscar Larios and Jorge Solis. Against Erik Morales, Pacquiao reportedly got a purse of $1.2 million, $2 million and $3 million for each of the three fights.
“The negotiations for the fight contract started between Top Rank and Golden Boy. Now, the Manny Pacquiao Promotions is part of it. Attorney Gacal is working on this,” said Joson.
There are also reports that Arum might visit Pacquiao in Cebu, and probably settle things with the Filipino superstar less than six weeks before the fight at Mandalay Bay.
