The long-drawn-out negotiation and almost called-off fight between the camps of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Manchester, England?s local hero Ricky Hatton was mainly due to ?lack of respect? that can be traced to the doors of the Golden Boy Promotions, Pacquiao said yesterday.
In his regular column posted at the philboxing.com, Pacquiao said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schafer tried to downplay his recent victories during the negotiation and he sensed Schafer?s personal grudge against him.
Pacquiao said Schafer might have taken it personally when the prized talents of the Golden Boy Promotions that include Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marques, and recently, the Golden Boy himself, Oscar De La Hoya, suffered a beating at his hands.
?Naging personal ang kanyang galit at dinadala niya ito sa gitna ng negosasyon (He took it as a personal offense against me and he made it known during the negotiation),? Pacquiao said of Schafer?s actuations.
While everything ended well with both camps satisfied with the outcome, Pacquiao said what transpired in the negotiation taught him and the Pacquiao Team a big lesson.
Earlier, during a press conference in Bacolod City, the Pacman said he did not agree to a 50-50 money split offer as he does not want the foreign promoters to get the better out of Filipinos during negotiations.
?Milyun-milyon na ang pinag-uusapan?hindi tayo dapat magulangan ng taga ibang bansa (We?re talking of millions here…we should not allow the foreigners to pull the rug from under us),? Pacquiao said.
Meanwhile, the Pacman said he is ready to put aside the animosity between him and the Golden Boy Promotions and start training for the May 2 fight against Hatton.
He is also contented with the agreed money split, adding that details of the contract are already being drafted, and that official announcements from both camps will be out soon.
But before he starts training for his next big fight, Pacquiao said he needs to wrap up things with his college education, his businesses and showbiz commitments.
The battle against Hatton in Las Vegas in May, he said, is a new mission he is ready to embark on.
