New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad blew into town early yesterday morning and outstormed Typhoon Yoyong by announcing a P200 million windfall for consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in a three-fight package next year.
Muhammad said he expects to negotiate at least a combined purse of $3.5 Million for Pacquiao to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on Feb. 26, Erik Morales in July and Marco Antonio Barrera in September.
But first things first. Muhammad said the deal is contingent on Pacquiao beating Thai contender Fahsan 3-K Battery in their International Boxing Federation (IBF) 12-round title eliminator in an open-air field at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on Dec. 11.
“We expect Manny to win in style,” said Muhammad. “Then, he?ll start preparing for Marquez. We don?t fear Marquez. It?s our commitment to HBO to fight Marquez, nobody else, on Feb. 26. Marquez couldn?t beat Manny who fought with one foot, one leg and one arm in their draw last May and he hasn?t gotten better. Talk about fighting Barrera instead of Marquez doesn?t help us because it just puts ideas in Manny?s head. Manny must stay focused. We?ve got the right plan for him and he?s in the right direction.”
Muhammad disclosed that last Tuesday, he was advised by IBF president Marian Muhammad that the Pacquiao-Fahsan fight will be sanctioned as a title eliminator. Fahsan is now ranked No. 6 featherweight and Pacquiao, No. 3. The IBF recognizes Rocky Juarez as the No. 1 contender and the No. 2 slot is vacant. Marquez is the IBF featherweight champion.
The IBF sanction carries a $4,500 fee which Muhammad said is worth paying.
“This gives the fight its due billing,” said Muhammad. “I understand the IBF will designate the Games and Amusements Board chairman Mr. (Eduardo) Villanueva to supervise the fight at ringside. The IBF has a lot of respect for Mr. Villanueva. It will be Mr. Villanueva who will assign the referee and judges. The IBF has no objections to the referee and judges being Filipino.”
Muhammad said the leading candidate to work the fight as the third man in the ring is Angeles City resident Bruce McTavish, a veteran of over 130 world title bouts.
Muhammad also said he would advise Smart management to tap one of the company?s popular showbiz endorsers Martin Nievera to be the ring announcer for the main event.
Regarding Barrera who recently beat Morales for the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight title, Muhammad said the Baby-Faced Assassin isn?t ready to face Pacquiao.
“Barrera is looking for an easy fight before taking on Manny,” said Muhammad. “It?s evident he?s not anxious to get back into the ring with Manny. Barrera lost his dignity when he was knocked out by Manny and if he were Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes or Roy Jones, Jr., he?d want to fight Manny right away to regain his pride not sometime in the fall.”
Muhammad said after Pacquiao disposes of Marquez and Morales, the Filipino will be bigger than Barrera.
“Beating Morales will convince HBO to sign up Manny as a contract fighter,” said Muhammad. “Morales didn?t lose his credibility when Barrera barely defeated him. Remember if that judge (Larry O?Connell) didn?t make a mistake, it would?ve been a majority draw and Morales would?ve retained the title. Before Barrera, Morales fought Carlos Hernandez in a pay-per-view event that drew 260,000 homes. Against Barrera, Morales drew 360,000. More than Barrera, Morales is the draw.”
A victory over Morales could lure HBO to invest in a Manila fight for Pacquiao.
“My ultimate goal is to bring big-time boxing back to Manila,” said Muhammad. “Fighters like Sugar Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather, Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver are looking for a home. We want to bring them, one by one, to Manila. If we play our cards right with Manny, HBO will follow him to Manila.”
Muhammad said the Pacquiao-Fahsan fight is a test case which HBO will monitor closely.
“We want to show how big boxing is in the Philippines,” he continued. “If we show HBO we can do a good job this Saturday, what more in a world title fight with guys like Mosley and Mayweather. Our dream is to prove that the Philippines can be a major player in world boxing. We?re hoping Filipinos come out by the thousands to support Manny like the Latinos who support Barrera and Morales. The Latinos who watch the fights aren?t rich people?they drive hundreds of miles to cheer for their heroes. Boxing is the great equalizer because it brings all kinds of people, rich and poor, together.”
Muhammad revealed that Golden Boy Promotions executive Richard Schaefer offered WBC superbantamweight titlist Oscar Larios as an opponent for Pacquiao instead of Marquez as a prelude to a Barrera rematch. Golden Boy, owned by Oscar de la Hoya, manages Larios and Barrera.
