If he gets past Thailand?s Fahsan 3K Battery in December and Mexico?s Juan Manuel Marquez in February, the Philippines? Manny Pacquiao will likely receive close to P100 million for his next fight.
Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario Tuesday said Pacquiao deserves as much at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Manila Pavilion.
Pacquiao will fight Fahsan in a 12-round, nontitle bout at The Fort on December 11. It will serve as his final tune-up for a February 26 rematch with Marquez, whom he fought to a classic draw at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May.
Pacquiao, who?s now busy training under American Freddie Roach in Davao, will receive $300,000 (P17 million) for the 126-lb contest against Fahsan, and will be paid $900,000 (P50.4 million) for his rematch against Marquez.
Marquez will stake his two featherweight titles?the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA)?against Pacquiao, the people?s champion.
?If we get past Fahsan and Manuel Marquez, then our next opponent might be Eric Morales [the reigning World Boxing Council champion] or Marco Antonio Barrera [whom Paquiao defeated last year],? said Nazario.
?Then I?ll be asking for $1.75 million [P98 million] for Pacquiao. I don?t know if I?ll get it, but that?s what I want to get for Pacquiao,? he added.
Whatever happens on December 11, Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the US in the first week of January to start training for Marquez, who salvaged a draw against the RP fighter after being knocked down thrice in the first of 12 rounds.
Roach arrived the other day to personally handle Pacquiao?s training, which started two weeks ago amid reports of off-the-ring distractions like the shooting of a TV program and late nights at the billiards halls.
?I haven?t talked to Roach but I spoke to Pacquiao this morning. Kundisyon naman daw siya. Hindi ko pa nga lang nakikita. Pero tiwala ako kay Manny na kapag sinabi niyang nag-eensayo siya, talagang nag-eensayo siya,? said Nazario.
?I don?t think he?s taking Fahsan lightly. Alam niya kasi na kapag tinalo niya si Fahsan, siya na talaga ang superstar ng buong Asia. At may mas malaking nakalinya,? he added.
Nazario, who?s been linked to Pacquiao the last 10 years, said he recently got word from Home Box Office (HBO) that the February 26 fight against Marquez will push through as planned.
Nazario said Pacquiao will be in Manila this weekend for a special gathering with people from Smart Communications?which, with Solar Sports, is sponsoring his fight with Fahsan, who will receive $25,000.
Unless there?s a change of plans, Pacquiao will be back in Davao until the December 4 fight preview in Manila. The official weigh-in is scheduled at noon of December 10, most likely at the Pier One bar and restaurant at The Fort.
