FRUSTRATION coupled with desire to take a tighter grip of his own destiny could be two of the several reasons why Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao made a surprise decision to sign up Thursday with Shelly Finkel, after his managerial contract with Marty Elorde expired last January 31.
Manny may not have finished his elementary due to the lure of boxing and in pursuit of personal glory but he is not wanting with well-meaning friends.
Immediately after his spectacular demolition of Marco Antonio Barrera in November 2003, when reports broke out that he was paid significantly less than what HBO shelled out for the promotion, clamor for him to dump his manager and promoter began to build up.
Unknown to many, Manny agonized over his decision to stick it out with Elorde, his business manager Rod Nazario and promoter Muhammad Murad.
But more than anything else, Manny was advised to honor his contract with all of them.
One of his trusted advisers is no less than his wife Jinky’s uncle lawyer Edilberto Jamora, the chief city prosecutor of General Santos.
Another is his close friend Franklin Gacal Jr., also a lawyer and a former city councilor.
Many believed, including this corner, however, that it would only be a matter of time before Manny takes a bold step in defining his boxing career–from the business point of view.
Obviously, it was his coach Freddie Roach who made the most influence in Manny’s decision to sign up with Finkell.
His avid followers can only pray that the decision, coming midway through his preparation for his mega duel with Mexican boxing great Erik Morales, will not be a distraction.
It is too early to analyze the ramifications of Manny’s judgment to ink up with a new managerial outfit that is little known to Filipino boxing fans.
We just hope that he made the right decision.
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Website polls have many boxing fans predicting a knockout win by Manny in his fight with Morales.
We cannot blame them given the recent beating, albeit a controversial one, Morales got from Barrera in the third of their trilogy of boxing duels.
Most boxing experts, however, believe it is the hungrier fighter that will emerge victorious.
While not a few will concede Manny packs the bigger punch, the fact should not be lost that Morales, a veteran of 49 bouts with only two losses all courtesy of Barrera, has never been stopped before in his illustrious career. He, too, is capable of knocking out Manny at any point in their bout.
What is the motivation of Morales?
It is redemption. Morales will seek to prove that his recent loss to Barrera was an aberration. And by eking out a win over Manny Pacquiao, especially if it comes via stoppage, Morales will have proven his old nemesis that he is the better fighter between the two.
For Pacquiao, it is validation. While Manny has already beaten the best in all the weight classes he had been before, he repeatedly admitted that the road to greatness comes via Mexico.
Manny has several scores to settle. First, he wants to get rid of Morales to prove that he is among the best in the world. Second, he wants to prove to Barrera and Morales that he is the superior fighter among the three future Hall of Famers. Third, a win will have Marquez as the only one left for him to finally conquer convincingly. From there on, Manny will cement his place in the annals of boxing as one of the greatest little men to ever wear the leather gloves.
So who will win? Redemption or validation? Take your pick.
