MURAD MUHAMMAD said ?everything is in order? for Manny Pacquiao?s non-title fight with Thai southpaw Fahsan 3K Battery on Dec. 11 at The Fort in Taguig. The New Jersey-based promoter said yesterday that all the details in relation to the promotion would be finalized tomorrow when he and Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario and the men behind the multi-million peso card meet behind closed doors.
Sources close to the promotion said Pacquiao will receive $300,000 (R16.8 milion) for the fight. He was originally promised $500,000 (R28 million), but promoters sought a reduction apparently fearing that it would be next to impossible to make money from the fight even if the venue is filled to capacity and all advertising spots on TV are sold.
Even at this late date, however, Muhammad and his group have not disclosed the names of the financiers who many believe will be taking a big gamble even at the reduced prize for Pacquiao.
“All the things that will be discussed on Wednesday will be revealed when we hold the press conference on Friday,” said Muhammad, who has been in the country since Oct. 16.
Muhammad said Pacquiao is up against a dangerous foe in Fahsan, who is going to be hyped as “the Filipino Destroyer” considering that most of his knockout victims are Filipinos.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao will start heavy training tomorrow although he is set to take a one-day break when he graces the press conference.
Smart Communications and Solar Sports are backing up the Pacquiao-3K Battery headliner. Bobby Pacquiao, the Ring magazine featherweight champ?s brother, is taking centerstage in the main supporting fight when he meets mandatory challenger Dexter “Dinamita” Delada of the Wakee Salud Stable.
Z Gorres, a prot?g? of Tony Aldeguer and Rudy Salud, is also being penciled to see action after almost two months training at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Boxing Club.
Pacquiao hasn?t started formal training although he trained for at least three weeks under Roach when he was in Hollywood, California, from Sept. 8 to Oct. 2.
Pacquiao will be using the Dec. bout as a tuneup for his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on Feb. 26 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a 12-round split draw on May 8.
Since that memorable fight, Pacquiao hasn?t returned to the ring, while Marquez has gone back when he defeated Orlando Salido on Sept. 18.
