UNABLE TO land a fight against some of the big names in his division, Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is packing his bags from his Hollywood training gym and is expected to be home by next week, sources from his camp revealed yesterday.
Pacquiao left for his US haunt nearly a month ago and has been training non-stop at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach, his trainer. But the intensity of his preparation has markedly declined after a series of negotiations with possible rivals failed.
The names of the boxers he wanted to fight are icons in their own right, such as Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. Add the names of British champion Scott Harrison, Oscar Larios and Joel Casamayor and Pacquiao practically has gone from top to bottom of a wish list with no success.
Murad Muhammad, Pacquiao?s promoter, has said that a rematch with Marquez is being penciled for mid-February 2005. Morales also said he wants Pacquiao next year.
Jinkee Pacquiao said his 25-year-old husband is just waiting to reunite with business manager Rod Nazario in Los Angeles before packing his bags.
Nazario is still in Orlando, Florida, vacationing with wife Supreme Court Justice Minita Chico Nazario.
“Hinihintay lang niya si Mr. Nazario na dumating sa LA bago siya babalik sa Pilipinas,” Jinkee said.
Pacquiao hasn?t fought since being held to a 12-round split draw by Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 8.
On his return, Pacquiao will have another problem in his hands, if such is considered a problem.
His signature is being sought by Martin Luis Elorde on a contract that is asking to extend by five years a managerial agreement with the son of the late boxing great Flash Elorde.
Martin said he was ready to offer Pacquiao a signing bonus of R5 million if he signs the dotted line that would extend the contract until 2010.
Pacquiao?s contract with Elorde, one of a myriad of agreements the Filipino boxer has signed before he made it big in the international boxing scene, will expire February 2005.
“I believe Manny deserves more than what I am offering. But so far this is what I can offer. After all, I am still his manager so I guess now is the right time for me to work on a possible extension of our existing agreement” revealed Elorde.
On February 5, 2000, Elorde struck up a five-year deal with Pacquiao with a R1-million signing bonus and a monthly stipend of R10,000.00.
Apart from the R5 million signing bonus, Elorde is ready to double Pacquiao?s monthly allowance to R20,000.00.
Under Elorde?s plan, Pacquiao will still get his usual 60 percent share of every fight purse, with Elorde getting 30 percent while the trainer?s share is 10 percent.
Elorde will take care of the plane fare and accommodation of Pacquiao?s wife and children for every fight outside of the country.
This time however, Elorde intends to work in close coordination with Pacquiao himself when it comes to charting the boxer?s succeeding bouts.
“I want Manny to learn the tricks of the trade. With my experience I believe I can be of help to Pacquiao?s future at least in the business aspect of this sport” disclosed Elorde who is credited for leading ex-world champ Rolando Bohol to the IBF flyweight crown in 1988.
