LOS ANGELES-Manny Pacquiao called for members of media to stop spreading wild and speculative news and gossip so that he can concentrate on the biggest fight of his blossoming career.
Pacquiao was disheartened to hear news coming from uninformed and ambitious sports writers from his native Philippines as web of lies spread like wildfire and some even attacking his person.
Pacquiao singled out Sri Lankan-born Ronnie Nathanielsz for fabricating horrible tales and putting words into the mouths of people he has not even talked to.
“Ginagawa ko ang lahat para makapagbigay ng karangalan para sa Pilipinas. Kaya ako nandito sa Amerika ay para makapag-training ng mabuti pero iyon pang mga nasa malayo ang gumugulo ng ensayo ko,” said Pacquiao, who reacted to Nathanielsz’ article which came out in the Manila Standard Thursday here.
“Nagsisikap ako para sa kapakanan ng bayan. Sa puso ko ako ay Filipino, at kahit anong paraan, gagawin ko ang lahat para maiangat ang sambayanang Filipino,” said Pacquiao, irked by reports that came from Nathanielsz.
In his article, Nathanielsz quoted Team Pacquiao member Roberto “Boying” Nazario as saying: [When informed about a green card for Pacquiao and US citizenship reportedly promised by Finkel, Boying Nazario asked Pacquiao, “you want to turn your back on the Philippines?” which was the same question posed by Muhammad who said 80 million Filipinos have supported Pacquiao all the way and now he is thinking of being an American.]
The San Francisco-based Nazario, son of Pacquiao’s business manager Rodolfo, stated that he has not talked to Nathanielsz, when Pacquiao tried to reach him by phone for comment.
In the same article, Nathanielsz reportedly was able to talk to Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, who begged to give comments about Pacquiao’s decision to switch management teams, when he took in Shelly Finkel and lawyers Nicholas Khan and Keith Davidson (and not Kenneth, as reported by Nathanielsz) Wednesday.
“I never talked to him,” said Jinkee, who is enjoying every bit of her stay here along with son Emmanuel Jr. after her husband transferred to a cosmopolitan two-bedroom apartment not too far from the Wild Card gym of Freddie Roach.
“I am very proud to be a Filipino and I will forever be a Filipino,” said Pacquiao, who admitted that he is set to apply for a green card because of his extra-ordinary talent, which is not supposed to be mistaken as a bid to get US citizenship. Immigration lawyer Richard Wilner has offered his services for free and his help should not be misinterpreted a come-on by Finkel to lure Pacquiao to sign with him.
Nathanielsz, in the same article, wrote that Pacquiao received $300,000 in signing bonuses plus the promise of citizenship, citing “sources”. In other reports, Pacquiao apparently signed because of the added house and lot and a car given to him.
“Please stop crab mentality. If we are to move as a nation, we have to help one another and not destroy each another with rumors,” said Pacquiao, who had a hearty laugh when he saw the reports on the internet.
Nathanielsz also tried to sow intrigue among members of Team Pacquiao, stating: [Roach’s assistant Justin Fortun was tasked by Finkel and Roach to keep an eye on Pacquiao while Fernandez’ role was reduced to a mere “helper,” according to Roberto “Boying” Nazario, the US-based son of Nazario.”]
Nazario also denied having said that.
Fernandez, the two-time Philippine Trainer of the Year, was mad and upset that he has been relegated to a mere “helper.” Fortune (and not Fortun), also laughed at the statement and joked, “Where is my percentage?”
“Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit masyadong mababa ang tingin ni Nathanielsz sa mga trainer na katulad ko,” said Fernandez. “Sana tigilan na niya ang tsismis.”
Obviously out to do a hatchet job, Nathanielsz hit Finkel right on the second paragraph of his article without verifying his facts from the person involved.
Last year, Nathanielsz fed Pacquiao another lie, saying that should he fail to re-sign with Murad Muhammad for a two-fight deal and his scheduled Feb. 26 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, he might lose face from HBO and that he might not be able to fight soon.
Yesterday, HBO acknowledged Pacquiao’s new management team and promised him that his March 19 fight with Erik Morales of Mexico will not be put in jeopardy because he is one of the most exciting fighters in the world today.
