I nearly choked on my food when, eating dinner last night, I read New York promoter Lou DiBella?s comments on Manny Pacquiao in the April 23 issue of the London trade paper Boxing News.
DiBella tried to wrest control of Pacquiao?s US promotional rights from Murad Muhammad two years ago. He failed in his bid for a multi-million dollar five-fight contract and has since been antagonistic towards Pacquiao.
In what appears to be sourgraping, DiBella was quoted in Boxing News downplaying Pacquiao?s chances against World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in their Las Vegas showdown on May 8. He described Pacquiao as “overrated,” obviously referring to oddsmakers installing the Filipino a 7-5 favorite to whip Marquez.
