MUCH has been said about the proposed Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao intriguing showdown that people who used to salivate at the thought of seeing this fight happen are now having their eyes dried out reading redundant lines between both camps.
One-liners such as “I will fight anytime, anywhere,” “This will be my last fight” and the soon-to-be boxing’s byword “Can’t pull the trigger” are in some ways diminishing the sincerity and credibility of both fighters, touted as the best of their generation.
Why?
People of this planet, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that everything is being discussed simply because both camps want to maximize potential earnings for this fight.
Mexican-American hero De La Hoya wants “70-30, ” Filipino icon Pacquiao desires “60-40.” It’s all about the money, not the sacks of sand and cement they want to share in building roads, houses, schools and whatever needs of their native lands. If both fighter’s are really eager to face each other and that money is not the issue, why not De La Hoya take 60% and Pacquiao 30%?
How about the remaining 10% which is clearly the bone of contention of this dragging talks?
Since both fighters are turning out to be media darlings when it comes to promoting charity events and what have you, why not share that 10% to two charity institutions of their choice?
Pacquiao in his Filipino column recently stated “even our grandkids will be talking about this match even when we are already old. Don’t let the opportunity pass.” Wouldn’t it be nice that their grandkids will talk about the kindness of their grandparents who shared part of their earnings to charity?
De La Hoya is the founder and financier of the Cecilia Gonzalez de la Hoya Cancer Center to honor his late mother and provide diagnostic and treatment options for cancer patients.
Pacquiao is a dynamic philantrophist in the Philippines especially down south in and around his hometown of General Santos City.
If that 10% is a hindrance to both De La Hoya’s and Pacquiao’s eagerness to face each other, then let the needy benefit from it and get the fight on.
*****
REPORTS are being posted that Fernando Montiel of Mexico is set to defend his WBO super flyweight crown against Z Gorres of the Philippines in a rematch.
Ageless promoter Bob Arum once told “Sports Chat” he is setting up a card on December 13 in Macau that will feature the much-awaited Montiel-Gorres II as one of the bouts.
Contacted by Fightnews, Gorres’ manager Michael Aldeguer said his ward is very eager to avenge the controversial loss. Problem is, all they hear are media write-ups and a call from International promoter Sampson Lewkowicz verbally telling them about the proposal.
*****
DETRHONED super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon is slated to see action sometime in October, according to his manager Joe Hernandez when contacted by Fightnews.
Hernandez, who is on a business trip up to this weekend said he plans to slowly change around the situation of Ponce De Leon after suffering a humiliating 1st round knockout loss to Puerto Rican phenom Juan Manuel Lopez recently.
Hernandez is still scouting for a suitable foe that will make Ponce De Leon regain his stature as one of the feared fighters of his division.
*****
THE offer is on the table but the manager of Filipino super bantamweight prospect Bernabe Concepcion is not about ready to take a bite.
Aljoe Jaro, in a text conversation with Fightnews, said he still needs to talk with Manny Pacquiao and Canadian adviser Michael Koncz regarding a shot the Steven Luevano and his WBO featherweight crown. Pacquiao is the Filipino promoter of Concepcion thru the boxing sensation’s MP Promotions.
Last week, American trainer Freddie Roach told “Sports Chat” there is an offer for Concepcion move-up in weight and challenge Luevano.
Luevano is scheduled to appear beneath the Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins on October 18 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic
